India FTA Unites NZ First, Greens
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
OPINION: The Hound – like most in the rural sector would have – shuddered when the Green Party revealed it would like to hold the agriculture portfolio if it gets into government after the election.
The idea of a Green MP as agriculture minister got even scarier when the party unveiled its ‘agriculture policies’ earlier this month.
On top of the usual Green airy-fairy ideas such as NZ farmers being totally organic or regenerative, it also wants levies on N and S fertiliser, higher DIN levels, a ban on PKE imports, and promotion of ‘urban gardens’ and ‘community farms’!
It was no surprise to see well known farming advocates (not!) such as Greenpeace and Forest & Bird back the Green’s policies.
It reminds your old mate of that well-worn saying about politicians and elections: “Don’t vote for them as it only encourages them!”
Safer Farms is urging farmers to make sure everyone working on farm has safe, suitable footwear for the job.
The Government is backing work on a community-led water storage scheme that could irrigate up to 11,000 more hectares of the Poverty Bay flats, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.
Agri-tech company Herd-i has become a new all-region sponsor of the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA), the largest nationwide celebration of excellence in the dairy sector.
Four candidates have been confirmed for two director positions on Fonterra’s board.
Returning to the family dairy farm after playing 20 years of professional rugby around the world is no easy task.
After delivering another record farmgate milk price to 100 supplying farms, independent milk processor Tatua is entering thee new financial year with a positive outlook.