Feds make case for rural bank lending probe
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
Federated Farmers is elated US President, Barack Obama, has committed the US to the Trans Pacific Partnership in his State of the Union address.
"The world is a better and safer place when we trade openly and honestly," says Bruce Wills, Federated Farmers president.
"This is greatly reinforced by President Obama saying to the American people that he wants to complete negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
"We can all look forward to a great 2013 because America wants to export its way to growth just as much as we do.
"The TPP economies have a combined GDP of some US$21 trillion. The TPP places us in tomorrow's world and with tomorrow's economies like Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Canada and the US.
"This game changer is now within our grasp for our economy and especially our primary industries.
"I recognise some people fear the TPP but did not another US President facing troubled economic times say 'the only thing we have to fear is fear itself'. In the 1930's, the world turned to protectionism and trade barriers that took a global cataclysm to resolve.
"Today, we know that trade is the best guarantor of peace and stability because it lifts living standards and understanding.
"All we want is a TPP which eliminates tariffs on all products without exception, introduces liberal rules of origin within the TPP region and ensures regulations adhere to international science based standards.
"We have the strong impression President Obama wants that to," Wills says.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has informed staff it will cut 391 jobs following a consultation period.