Federated Farmers urge government to honour KiwiSaver promise
Federated Farmers is calling on the Government to deliver on its pre-election promise to change the KiwiSaver rules to help young farmers get their foot on the farming ladder.
New Federated Farmers meat and fibre chair and board member Miles Anderson says he’d like to see the mainstream news media take a more balanced line on reporting farming issues.
Anderson recognises no one can dictate to journalists what to publish, he’d like to see more honest reporting.
He plans to reach out to other primary sector organisations such as Beef + Lamb NZ, DairyNZ, HortNZ and the meat processors to change things.
Anderson says it’s been a tough couple of years for his members.
“We have had poor lamb and mutton prices until this year and of course wool is in a disgraceful situation, but the farmers are fairly confident. The big question is whether the current pricing is to do with procurement or is market-based,” he says.
In his role as chair of meat and fibre, Anderson says he’d like to see a continuation of some of the projects set up by his predecessor, Rick Powdrell. These include a future-focused project looking at sustainable returns long term for the meat industry, and a project in the wool sector.
“We are also tied up in the water and nutrient debate and we have, I guess, been sidelined somewhat until now,” Anderson told Rural News. “This is because a lot of us are low emitters and thought that we were not going to be part of the solution, but we are part of the solution because we are part of the problem,” he says.
The Good Carbon Farm has partnered with Tolaga Bay Heritage Charitable Trust to deliver its first project in Tairāwhiti Gisborne.
Education union NZEI Te Riu Roa says that while educators will support the Government’s investment in learning support, they’re likely to be disappointed that it has been paid for by defunding expert teachers.
The Government says it is sharpening its focus and support for the food and fibre industry in Budget 2025.
A European Union regulation ensuring that the products its citizens consume do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation worldwide threatens $200m of New Zealand beef and leather exports.
A long-acting, controlled- release capsule designed to protect ewes from internal parasites during the lambing period is back on the market following a comprehensive reassessment.
Healthcare appears to be the big winner in this year's budget as agriculture and environment miss out.