Building trust
OPINION: The war of words between Southland farmers and Environment Southland over winter grazing inspections reflects a deep lack of trust among farmers for the regional council.
Chair William Beetham took over the role as Fed's meat and wool prime advocate back in August 2020.
However, during this time, he's also picked up a directorship at meat co-op Silver Fern Farms in May this year.
So, with his Feds hat on, Beetham is part of the farmer lobby's stern criticism of the Government's recent proposal for pricing farmers for emissions.
However, with his SFF hat on, Beetham is part of a meat company that fully endorses the Government's move to tax farmers for on-farm GHGs, where SFF directors and executives cuddle up to the PM on overseas trips and back her government's farm emissions plans.
The question is, where do Beetham's loyalties lie - with Feds or SFF?
