Federated Farmers is agnostic about how landowners use their land but argues government policies are ‘screwing the scrum’ in favour of forestry, and in particular radiata pine being planted for carbon credits only. The result is that many thousands of hectares of sheep and beef production land is being swallowed up. Feds is in the […]
Climate Change
Time to ditch foreign forestry exemption
By Colin Jacobs OPINION: There’s strong consensus now, including from the rural sector, that responsible forestry on the right land can support rural communities, boost farm incomes and improve farm environmental performance. There’s also a strong consensus that blanket planting of productive land and the ‘lock up and leave’ approach to so-called ‘permanent forestry’ […]
He Waka Eke Noa and targets argument are separate journeys
By Cam Henderson OPINION: The agriculture sector is largely united in disagreeing with the government’s emissions reductions targets so why are agricultural leaders continuing to support He Waka Eke Noa? It helps to understand what HWEN can do and more importantly, what it cannot do. Getting to grips with this complicated issue is certainly no […]
Emissions pricing could put billion dollar hit on earnings, but no hit on global emissions
By Andrew Hoggard, Federated Farmers President and climate change spokesperson In discussions on He Waka Eke Noa proposals with farmers I’m often asked “how does this all square with the Paris Agreement, and the multiple mentions the text of the Agreement makes on needing to make emissions reductions but not at the cost of food […]
Discussion paper outlines carbon farming threat to sheep and beef sector
Urgent national policy changes are required to ensure the increase in carbon farming to meet New Zealand’s climate change obligations does not come at the expense of the country’s rural communities, according to a discussion paper. The Green Paper by former Hastings Mayor and MP Lawrence Yule, Managing Forestry Land-Use Under the Influence of Carbon, […]
New Zealand’s First Plant-Based Milk Bottle Hits South Island Shelves
Anchor has launched its plant-based bottle, which is recyclable, in the South Island. The availability of the bottle in the South Island demonstrates Fonterra’s commitment to have all packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. Anchor Blue 2L, in the new plant-based bottle, landed on shelves across the South Island at the beginning of this […]
Economic Week – February 11
Budget talk from Feds This week Federated Farmers National President Andrew Hoggard presented to the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee on our submission to the Budget Policy Statement (BPS). The BPS sets out the Government’s priorities and strategies for the upcoming Budget. Federated Farmers is a regular submitter on the BPS advocating for fiscal responsibility. […]
Weighing the pros and cons of He Waka Eke Noa options
By Andrew Hoggard, President Federated Farmers NZ For those wondering what Feds’ position on He Waka Eke Noa is – well, at this stage my opinion hasn’t changed from what I outlined prior to Christmas. Both options have some benefits over the ETS, the ‘backstop’ alternative imposed by the Government, they each have positives and […]
Feds: High price on NZ farmers will increase global emissions
Price penalties won’t drive down livestock emissions without affordable and practical new technologies being available to farmers – unless the aim is to kill off the sector, Federated Farmers says. The Federation is baffled by comments by Climate Change Minister James Shaw that “…Pricing isn’t the only tool in the toolbox, but it remains the […]
Chinese energy restrictions will add strain to the supply chain
by Mark Ross, CEO Agcarm A nation of intense manufacturing activities combined with ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions has forced China to make drastic policy changes, resulting in strict measures to control energy supply. The global market will be caught in the crossfire of China’s measures to reduce its environmental footprint, with ambitious goals […]