Funding boost for red meat
Two major red meat sector projects are getting up to a combined $1.7 million in funding from the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB).
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has welcomed the Government’s announcement it is suspending the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).
B+LNZ chair Kate Acland said this announcement will be applauded by sheep and beef farmers.
“Our farmers are doing it tough now – this week we released our mid-season update showing the widespread cash losses our sector is facing this financial year.
“Concern about the expense and workability of the previous Government’s environmental reform agenda is affecting farmer confidence, so any move to address some of the particularly flawed rules is very welcome.
“The announcement gives everyone some breathing space while the Government looks at SNAs. We look forward to being involved in that review.”
Acland says B+LNZ had repeatedly told the Labour Government the criteria for SNAs was too broad and that more time was needed to test the effects of this and to get the rules right.
“Farmers are hugely committed to looking after their land and to enhancing and protecting native biodiversity. There’s 2.8 million hectares of native vegetation on New Zealand’s sheep and beef farms and that’s something we’re incredibly proud of.
“The current criteria for an SNA are far too broad and will capture huge swathes of sheep and beef farmland, tying up farmers in red tape and penalising those who’ve done the most to look after the native biodiversity on their land.
“We need a rethink on biodiversity and want a system that turns biodiversity into an asset rather than the current framework which turns it into a liability.
“We look forward to working with the Government on solutions. We need to take time to get this right and ensure we have workable and enduring solutions to protect New Zealand’s biodiversity.”
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
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