Fingers crossed
Mike Petersen is one person who's closely monitoring the progress of the FTA with the EU.
A mate of the Hound reckons outgoing special agricultural trade envoy Mike Petersen, who is due to finish his current role at the end of the year, is currying favour – and job prospects – with the Government by backing its moves to lump agriculture into the ETS.
Petersen was recently quoted in media as telling farmers to “get on with it” in reducing their carbon footprint. The politically savvy Petersen said: “If people think this is being dreamed up by NZ politicians to get at NZ farmers then you need to think again”.
Your old mate’s informant claims that with lines like this it won’t be too long before Petersen finds himself appointed to another well-paid, taxpayer-funded gig on one of the many working groups, advisory panels and talkfests the Government is so fond of setting up.
The Climate Change Commission wants the new Government to reduce NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction volumes as son as possible.
Southland-based Mataura Valley Milk can now lay claim to be the first all-electric dairy factory in New Zealand.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
Meat co-operative Alliance Group has bagged four gold medals at the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards, achieving top honours for every cut entered.
There is increasing evidence that dairy demand is on the upswing, according to Rabobank senior agricultural analyst Emma Higgins.
Fertiliser use in New Zealand over the 18 months is about 25% down from what it consistently was for the previous decade or more, says Ravensdown chief operating officer Mike Whitty.
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