Feds support live animal exports
Federated Farmers have reiterated their support for the coalition Government to abolish the present ban on the live export of animals.
Outgoing Agriculture and Trade Minister Damien O’Connor has lost his West Coast-Tasman seat in a shock result.
According to the Electoral Commission, with 100% of the votes counted for the seat, National’s Maureen Pugh was leading with 11.637 votes while Labour’s O’Connor was second with 10,722 votes – a margin of 915 votes.
However, O’Connor is 10th on Labour’s list and could be back in Parliament as a list MP.
O’Connor was first elected to Parliament in 1993 and has served as a Minister in both the fifth and sixth Labour Governments, and spokesperson in Opposition for a variety of roles, including Agriculture, Biosecurity, Food Safety, Tourism, Immigration and Health.
Pugh’s profile says she’s a born and bred ‘Coaster’ with a family history on the Coast going back over 150 years.
Based in Kumara, between Greymouth and Hokitika, Pugh was National’s candidate for the West Coast – Tasman electorate in the 2014 general election and is now a National List MP.
She was first elected to the Westland District Council in 1998, serving two terms before becoming the first woman elected as mayor on the West Coast. She served in that role for 9 years before standing down at the 2013 local body elections.
Federated Farmers supports a review of the current genetic technology legislation but insists that a farmer’s right to either choose or reject it must be protected.
New Zealand’s top business leaders are urging the US Administration to review “unjustified and discriminatory tariffs” imposed on Kiwi exporters.
New tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump signal an uncertain future, but New Zealand farmers know how to adapt to changing conditions, says Auriga Martin, chief executive of Farm Focus.
A global trade war beckons, which is bad news for a small open economy like New Zealand, warns Mark Smith ASB senior economist.
Carterton's Awakare Farm has long stood as a place where family, tradition and innovation intersect.
Fonterra says the US continues to be an important market for New Zealand dairy and the co-op.
OPINION: At last, a serious effort to better connect farmers and scientists.
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