Building trust
OPINION: The war of words between Southland farmers and Environment Southland over winter grazing inspections reflects a deep lack of trust among farmers for the regional council.
The national council comprises all the organisations provincial presidents plus the members of the governing board.
Feds’ chief executive Graham Smith told Rural News that the building their offices are located in on Wellington’s Featherston Street has been cleared of any structural damage and staff will be allowed to work there tomorrow.
But he says the disruption in Wellington could continue for days and the CBD may not be the safest of places if the high winds predicted for the capital materialise. Smith says the safety of staff and members of the Federation is the top priority.
He says the Federations elected members and staff are deeply involved in trying to get the full picture on the implications of the quake on farming and it would wrong of them to come to Wellington for a meeting. A social event planned in conjunction with the national council meetings has also been cancelled.
Smith says the national council meeting will be re-scheduled for early next year.
