We're all in it together!
OPINION: Hill Country farmers and foresters have common concerns about regulations and climate change.
Bunnings’ decision to no longer sell timber from an Australian state-owned forestry agency that breached conservation laws is being criticised.
VicForests was found in May to have had breached conservation laws related to threatened species by the Australian federal court.
Bunnings says it has a zero-tolerance approach to illegally logged timber and it is committed to only sourcing timber products from legal and well-managed forest operations.
As a result, the company ceased sourcing of VicForests timber from June 30.
Australian Forests Products Association CEO Ross Hampton has described the decision as a “knee-jerk reaction to pander to extremist activist groups”.
Hampton said it will only lead to more imported timber from less sustainably managed forests overseas.
“This decision puts at risk tens of thousands of Australian manufacturing jobs at a time when our country can least afford to lose them, especially in regional communities,” said Hampton.
“The truth is that Victoria has one of the most regulated, sustainably managed native forestry industries in the world, harvesting the equivalent of just four trees out of 10,000.”
Australia’s Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries, Jonno Duniam, called the decision “disappointing and wrong” and said Australian jobs will be lost as a consequence.
“Bunnings shelves will be stacked with more imported timber, rather than Australian grown structural hardwood timber, Australian solid timber panels and Australian kitchen benchtops,” said Duniam.
“This decision will cost many hundreds of jobs across harvesting, sawmills and processing, particularly in our regional communities.
“Bunnings is kicking Australia’s timber industry while it’s down, and at a time when Australian companies and Australians should be backing Australian products and supporting Australian jobs.”
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.
World Veterinary Day falls on Saturday 27 April.
The Director General of MPI, Ray Smith says it's important for his department to celebrate the success of a whole range of groups and people around the country.
A small company which mobilised veterinarians around the country to deal with Mycoplasma bovis was one of the winners in this year's Biosecurity Awards, held at Parliament.
One of the country's top Māori sheep and beef farms is facing a five-year battle to get back to where it was before Cyclone Gabrielle struck just over 14 months ago.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…