Displaying items by tag: Damien O'Connor

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, heads to Thailand today to attend the final Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Ministerial meeting, as negotiations enter their final stages.

A mate of the Hound attended the huge meeting in Timaru, last month, on the Government’s proposed freshwater reforms. Hundreds of anxious farmers turned up to hear officials – as well as Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor and Environment Minister David Parker – discuss the topic.

OPINION: It appears the only people surprised by plummeting levels of rural confidence are the Government and Ag Minister Damien O’Connor.

Taxpayers forked out at least $31,000 sending Primary Sector Council (PSC) members to an agribusiness bootcamp at Stanford University in California, USA, in July.

It was standing room only when at least 600 mostly farmers turned out late last week to two meetings in Timaru to learn more about the Government’s proposed freshwater reforms.

With an estimated $1 million of taxpayer funds already spent on Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor’s Primary Sector Council (PSC), the nebulous body has still yet to deliver anything tangible.

OPINION: I'm extremely proud of the ongoing high performance of our primary sector, and to be part of a Government that is backing farming for the long term.

Dairy has huge potential within the 16-country Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade agreement, says Agriculture and Trade Minister Damien O’Connor.

Fonterra's Trading Among Farmers (TAF) was a flawed proposition from the outset, says Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor.

New Zealand’s primary sector exports continue to surpass expectations with revenue reaching a record $46.4 billion, up 8.7% on the previous year.