Feds make case for rural bank lending probe
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
Golden Bay dairy farmer Wayne Langford says he's looking forward to serving farmers in his new role as Federated Farmers vice president.
The former Feds dairy section chair was elected at the farmer lobby's annual meeting in Auckland this month. He defeated former Otago provincial president Simon Davies, who was nominated from the floor at the AGM.
Langford told Rural News that the election process was a humbling experience and shows democracy is alive and well in the organisation.
"Thanks to all of the wise words, experienced counsel and tough conversations, I'm really looking forward to the new role."
Langford replaces Wairarapa farmer Karen Williams, who stepped down after four years on the board.
Feds chief executive Terry Copeland points out that the role of vice-president is seen as a stepping stone to the Feds' president role, arguably one of the most influential in agriculture, but also one that is demanding and time-consuming.
"It's positive that highly able and experienced candidates sought the vice president's post." Langford told the AGM there was no shortage of challenges facing agriculture.
"But I believe we have more opportunities in front of us than we do headwinds."
With local body elections this year, and a general election next year, Federated Farmers' advocacy efforts were vital, he says. Langford's former role of dairy section chair was picked up by Manawatū farmer Richard McIntyre. He also joins the Federated Farmers board.
Two new "at large" board members were also elected: Sandra Faulkner and Mark Hooper. They replace Chris Allen and Chris Lewis.
The election for board members attracted six candidates.
Copeland says the fact a number of people had put their hands up for board positions was a sign the organisation is in good health.
Colin Hurst was re-elected arable industry chair and William Beetham meat & wool industry chair. They also join the national board.
Feds president Andrew Hoggard, who had Covid and couldn't attend the meeting in person, was also re-elected unopposed for 12 months.
A Champion
Outgoing Federated Farmers national board member Chris Lewis was named Primary Industry Champion at the NZ Primary Industries Conference awards.
Lewis has been an elected leader for Feds at regional and national level for 17 years.
Philippa Dawe presents Chris Lewis with the Primary Industry Champion Award. |
In recent years, he has stepped up that voluntary contribution to fellow farmers and the wider industry by highlighting workforce shortages, successfully advocating to government for agricultural worker border exceptions during Covid, encouraging more New Zealand into the industry and championing the 'Good Boss' campaign.
The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) has found itself in a stoush with NZPork over the controversial National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land (NPS-HPL).
Fonterra says the sale of its global consumer business and its Oceania and Sri Lankan operations could take 18 months to complete.
The lobby group the Methane Science Accord (MSA) says it welcomes a recent government move to seek outside advice on reducing biological methane targets, rather than relying on recommendations made by the Climate Change Commission.
Well-known scientist Jock Allison has passed away.
After a decade of consultation and court battles, Environment Southland has officially adopted a plan to prevent further decline in the region's water quality.
Farmers are throwing down the gauntlet to politicians - hold an independent inquiry into rural bank lending or face tough questions from the farming sector.