increase font size
Fed Farmers president Wayne Langford says farmers want government policies that give them the confidence to invest, grow and get on with farming.
Federated Farmers has set out what it calls the rural roadmap that it wants the next government to implement.
The farmer lobby's policy platform for the 2023 election highlights 12 key policy changes it wants put into action. Feds says for the past five years, farmers have been living through a period of unprecedented regulatory change.
"A swathe of new requirements for improving water quality, biodivdersity and the climate have taken a real toll on the wellbeing of our rural communities," Feds president Wayne Langford says.
"The intent of these regulations may have been good, but the reality of the execution and implementation has been nothing short of disastrous for our farmers. The end result is a long list of highly prescriptive and unworkable rules that ties us up in red tape and heap on unnecessary costs."
Langford says NZ farmers have a great story to tell when it comes to their economic contribution - such as the jobs they create and the work do to improve environmental outcomes."
But he points out that current farmer confidence is at record lows and his organisation is determined to turn this around by bringing real solutions to the table.
"This election we're being very clear about what needs to be done to restore farmer confidence, support thriving rural communities, improve environmental outcomes and unlock the potential of our primary sector," Langford says.
"The best thing about our policy priorities is that they won't cost the taxpayer a dollar. We're just asking for the new government to get the settings right, so farmers have the confidence to invest, grow, and get on with what they do best - farming."
Feds policy priorities for the new government are:
Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.
A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.
Federated Farmers says the final report into banking competition is a significant step forward for rural New Zealand - and a vindication of the farming sector's concern.
Farmer lobby group Federated Farmers has announced it is supporting a new Member’s Bill which it says could bring clarity to New Zealand farmers and save millions in legal costs.
Federated Farmers says climate protest group Greenpeace is manufacturing outrage and attempting to scare New Zealanders with headlines that have no basis in science.
Phoebe Scherer, a technical manager from the Bay of Plenty, has won the 2025 Young Grower of the Year national title.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
Award-winning boutique cheese company, Cranky Goat Ltd has gone into voluntary liquidation.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand has launched an AI-powered digital assistant to help farmers using the B+LNZ Knowledge Hub to create tailored answers and resources for their farming businesses.
A tiny organism from the arid mountains of mainland Greece is facilitating a new way of growing healthier animals on farms across New Zealand.
