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.
Federated Farmers is pleased to see the Government getting on with the job of reforming resource management legislation.
Today’s announcement of the return of the Resource Legislation Amendment Bill to select committee will be well received by our members, Federated Farmers RMA spokesperson Chris Allen says.
"This process has been very long and very drawn out, and I’m sure there are many Kiwis who’d been thinking this Government wouldn’t be able to get this done,” Allen says.
"So we congratulate Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith on his stickability on this issue.”
Feds will be watching with particular interest to see the detail in the proposed legislation around new provisions for enabling stock exclusion from waterways.
"This is a super hot topic for us. We are working with councils and our members all over the country on this issue,” says Allen.
"Ensuring the provisions are practical, workable and affordable will be a high priority for us.
"We’ll also be keen to see the proposals around requirements for councils to free up more land for housing.
"This is becoming an area of keen interest and concern for our members. Feds represents about 70% of New Zealand’s productive farming area.
"In my opinion government agencies need to make sure high quality soils and land isn’t sacrificed to housing, because we’ll never get it back.”
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.
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