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.
Rural retailer Farmlands has launched a new casual clothing range available across 42 stores nationwide and through its online store.
Federated Farmers says the health and safety changes announced this week by the Government represent the start of overdue reforms.
The Government is calling on rural New Zealanders to share their views on proposed regulations designed to improve the management of farm plastic waste.
For many urban New Zealanders, stepping into Pāmu’s Pinta dairy farm near Taupo last month was the first time they had had the chance to experience farm life up close.
After tasting 240 New Zealand made cheeses, judges have bestowed medals upon 199 of the entries.
Bay of Plenty’s top share farmers Andre and Natalie Meier are no strangers to the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards winning circle.
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