OPINION: The Government failed to take on board common sense suggestions for the improvement of the recently passed Zero Carbon Bill (ZCB).

The Zero Carbon Bill has just been passed into law, but not without significant misgivings from across the farming sector.

Disregarding the social and economic effects of the proposed water reforms is a recipe for disaster, warns Federated Farmers Waikato president Andrew McGiven.

Fonterra's farmgate milk price forecast upgrade was a welcome surprise although indicators were heading that way, says Federated Farmers dairy chair Chris Lewis.

Farmers continue to oppose agriculture entering the Emissions Trading Scheme.

Farmers are flabbergasted to learn that Fonterra borrowed money to pay dividends over the last few years.

Farmers are welcoming the appointment of Tararua farmer Mel Poulton to the position of Special Agricultural Trade Envoy for New Zealand.

Federated Farmers says it is “puzzled and frustrated” by the Ministry for the Environment’s (MfE) failure to immediately release the peer review of Essential Freshwater nutrient band technical reports.

Farmers must stay active and engaged with the submission process, says Federated Farmers environment and water spokesman Chris Allen.

Federated Farmers president Katie Milne says the two-week extension for submitting on the freshwater discussion document is a start.