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 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.