Election 2026: Rural Lobby Groups Challenge Parties on Agriculture Policy
Three farmer lobby groups are applying the blowtorch to political parties on key issues facing the primary sector ahead of the general elections.
In a note last week to levypayers, van der Poel lambasted the lobby group for causing confusion and concern in rural communities.
"I assure you the HWEN process is still on track," van der Poel told farmers.
"The proposal submitted to Government continues to have the unanimous support of all 11 primary sector partners.”
He added that DairyNZ and other HWEN partners continued to meet regularly with Government to discuss recommendations and “hear their views”.
Groundswell’s Steve Cranston claims that the Government will replace the He Waka Eke Noa with a “cap and trade” scheme for agriculture.
A cap and trade scheme – like the Emissions Trading Scheme — requires each emitter to purchase units to allow a specific quantity of greenhouse gases to be emitted. Emissions units can be traded.
