End of war on farming, say farmers
Federated Farmers says changes announced to the Resource Management Act today mark the end of the war on farming.
Federated Farmers supports the unification of the fragmented apiculture industry, but says people with governance skills are needed to ensure the process is successful.
The group in charge of the change are calling for experienced members of the industry to apply for positions on the Interim Apiculture Industry Governance Board (IGB).
Peter Bell, interim working group member and Federated Farmers Bee Industry Group vice-chairman says, “It is vital we have the best people to navigate a way forward in structuring and funding our industry.”
“The interim working group is charged with the goal of achieving a fully inclusive, fully funded industry group structure that will be the strong platform for future growth and prosperity of the industry, which is currently estimated to contribute an annual $5billion per annum to New Zealand’s economy.”
“There has been a consistent view that the new apiculture Industry body should include more than just beekeepers, and be reflective of who we are, as beekeepers and industry today. That is why the new apiculture body will be inclusive of all from beekeepers (large and small) and pollination through to food and health products and include hobby clubs and service companies.”
Bell says this means, the new 12 member Apiculture Industry Governance Board needs appropriately skilled representatives from commercial beekeeping, the hobbyist sector, honey export and domestic packers/marketers, and the health products and food manufacturing bee products sector. The inaugural Governance Board will be tasked with establishing the new group to be operational by Friday, April 1, 2016.
“This is an exciting time for the apiculture Industry and we are looking forward to from getting the right people for the job,” says Bell.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Two major red meat sector projects are getting up to a combined $1.7 million in funding from the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB).
Angus Barr and Tara Dwyer of The Wandle, Lone Star Farms in Strath Taieri have been named the Regional Supreme Winners at the Otago Ballance Farm Environment Awards in Dunedin.
OPINION: The distress that the politicians and bureaucrats are causing to the people of Wairoa and the wider Tairāwhiti is unforgivable.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…