No Panic Buying Please, There's Plenty of Fuel Around - Feds
Farmers want more direct, accurate information about both fuel and fertiliser supply.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.
In an email to his members, Langford since it has been six months since the election, the time was right to write to members and offer an update on how things are tracking with the new Government.
He reminded farmers that Federated Farmers had 12 policy priorities for restoring confidence that they wanted to see picked up and implemented by the Government: he claims “significant movement” on nine of those policies.
“These ranged from areas where we wanted to see more investment and support for farmers, through to a long list of impractical rules and regulations that we wanted to see rewritten.
“Our team have been doing our best to keep pressure on the Government to ensure these policy changes are prioritised — and we’ve been having some real success.”
Langford points out that methane targets are being reviewed, unworkable freshwater rules are being rewritten and RMA reform is underway. The ‘Ute Tax’ has been scrapped, SNA rules have been suspended, and investment in water storage is being actively encouraged.
“That’s quite a turnaround in six months. In total, we have seen significant movement on 9/12 of our policy priorities, with positive signs on a further two.
“There has also been significant support for two of Federated Farmers' other priorities: an independent inquiry into rural banking and promoting the benefits of wool.
“We know it’s still pretty tough out there for farmers, but we’re doing everything we can to make things a bit easier and cut some of the unnecessary costs from your balance sheet,” Langford told farmers.
Cyclone Vaianu is continuing its track south towards the Bay of Plenty, bringing with it destructive winds, heavy rain, and large swells, says Metservice.
While Cyclone Vaianu remains off the East Coast of New Zealand, the Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group says impacts have been felt overnight.
A Local State of Emergency has been declared for the Waikato for a period of seven days as the region prepares for Cyclone Vaianu to hit the area.
Farmers will get an opportunity to hear about the latest developments in sheep genetics at the Sheep Breeder Forum this May.
Specialist horticulture and viticulture weather forecasters Metris says the incoming Cyclone Vaianu is likely to impact growers across the country.
A group of old Otago uni mates with a love of South Island back-country have gone the lengths of Waiau Toa Clarence from source to sea. Tim Fulton, who joined the group in the final fun to the river mouth, tells their story.