Election 2026: Rural Lobby Groups Challenge Parties on Agriculture Policy
Three farmer lobby groups are applying the blowtorch to political parties on key issues facing the primary sector ahead of the general elections.
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the farmer protests recently held in Holland makes the chaps at Groundswell look like saints.
In early July, Dutch farmers took to the highways and byways around Holland, blocking supermarkets, distribution centres and roads in response to its government's plans to cut nitrogen emissions.
It even led to police firing shots at the tractor-riding farmers.
Dutch farmers were protesting plans to slash fertiliser use and reduce livestock numbers, which may force some farms to shut down (sound familiar?).
The Dutch government says it wants to reduce livestock emissions of nitrogen oxide and ammonia by 2030 by 70% in some areas.
Imagine how the bedwetters - lefty, social media supporters of our govt - would have reacted if this protest had happened here.
They got their knickers in a twist over a couple of signs criticising the PM!
A verbal stoush has broken out between Federated Farmers and a new group that claims to be fighting against cheaper imports that undermine NZ farmers.
According to the latest ANZ Agri Focus report, energy-intensive and domestically-focused sectors currently bear the brunt of rising fuel, fertiliser and freight costs.
Having gone through a troublesome “divorce” from its association and part ownership of AGCO, Indian manufacturer TAFE is said to be determined to be seen as a modern business rather than just another tractor maker from the developing world.
Two long-standing New Zealand agricultural businesses are coming together to strengthen innovation, local manufacturing capability, and access to essential farm inputs for farmers across the country.
A new farmer-led programme aimed at bringing young people into dairy farming is under way in Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
The Government has announced changes to stock exclusion regulations which it claims will cut unnecessary costs and inflexible rules while maintaining environmental protections.