So what would the small parties do to encourage primary industries and what role do they see dairying playing in the economy?
Questions were put to the ACT, Conservative, UnitedFuture, New Zealand First, Maori, Mana, Internet, and Conservative parties but not all answered.
New Zealand First provided a copy of the party’s primary industries policy while the Conservative Party and Mana Party did not reply by deadline.
Asked what role dairying would play in an economy shaped by it, ACT said dairying enterprise would be revered, not maligned by jaundiced politicians or non-government organisations.
“ACT will be the only party campaigning to cut regulation and its associated costs and to have a future with lower and flatter taxes. ACT, unlike other parties, won’t promise to redistribute more of the sector earnings through taxes.
“Dairying achieves so much that is positive for the economy now and will do so for the foreseeable future. But its dominant position should never be taken for granted. Competition in open markets is a great driver and any sector must be equipped to face it daily.”
ACT would make sure the dairy sector had the platform to do even better.
United Future said dairying was a robust and strong growth industry.
“The industry has played a huge part in helping New Zealand emerge from the recession. We are very supportive of the dairy industry. We want to make sure all industry in NZ, including agriculture, operates in a manner that respects, cares for, and improves the environment and ecological health.”
The Maori Party said NZ was the world leader when it came to dairy and dairying would continue to play an important role in an economy it shaped.
“In particular, we recognise the importance of our dairy export trade with China and we will continue to build on the significant trade relationship between NZ and China. Maori forestry groups have already met with executives from forestry groups in China and we hope to make this happen with Maori dairy groups.”
The Internet Party said it recognised dairying played a significant role in the NZ economy – historically, now, and in the future.
“Our policies are in accord with the industry's own declared support for sustainable development and growth. Dairying is a valuable and important sector and NZ dairy farmers are the best in the global business. Our aim is to grow dairying sustainably through better use of technology and in line with environmental best practice. To maintain our reputation as a world leader in dairying we have to work harder toward balancing growth with looking after the very resources good dairying depends on most – water and land quality. “Technology can play a huge role in helping achieve these outcomes.”
Asked what specific policies they were promoting to encourage, or discourage, the dairy sector’s growth, ACT said dairy farmers and processors were rightly concerned about pasture or fodder growth rates and milk volumes but rewards were being increasingly eroded by Government and local government monopolies that took increments of that base production completely unearned.
“ACT wants to diminish those costs and the Government’s tax and spend growth rate so the reward from a droplet of milk stays more within ownership of the producer and the sector. Farmers and processors make much better decisions about the use of their own capital than any government could.
“ACT’s policy of much less government-imposed red and green tape would serve not only the dairy sector well but the whole economy. The nation will really flourish when you add to that ACT’s vital policy of lower and flatter taxes and ‘One Country, One Law’ and of regaining respect for property rights and dairying.
UnitedFuture said the importance of strong, resilient, and responsive primary industries was paramount.
“They must be supported so the opportunity for diversification and added value is identified and encouraged. Our policy is more than just an economic prescription for our primary industries. It is about ensuring the often-neglected rural communities receive fair and reasonable access to educational and health services.”
'Our policies are in accord with the industry's own declared support for sustainable development and growth. Dairying is a valuable and important sector and NZ dairy farmers are the best in the global business.' – Internet Mana
There would be an immediate review of all legislation imposing coercive powers and administrative burdens on farmers and regular reviews of the Resource Management Act. It would increase agricultural workforce skills by encouraging more people into industry training and establishing a global online service to match potential skilled migrants with job opportunities in NZ.
Government subsidies would be provided to promote the planting of native trees and bush along or close by all inland waterways where practical to limit soil erosion and reduce agricultural run-off.
UnitedFuture also would increase the Financial Assistance Rate paid by central government to local authorities for the construction and maintenance of local roads.
An intrinsic value would be placed on water through a series of quality standards within which industry and government would have to operate.
“NZ cannot compete globally on a platform of volume thus we must compete on a platform of quality and uniqueness.”
The Maori Party said Maori were kaitiaki and owners of land and resources which must be recognised and respected.
“We secured $5 million in Budget 2014 for Te Mana o Te Wai, a fund to help communities improve water quality, which will benefit dairy farms across the country. Enhanced prosperity for Maori engaged in agriculture is also important so Maori participation in agriculture is a priority for us.”
The Internet Party said getting more farms and rural residents connected to faster internet services was vital to growth.
“The ultra-fast broadband rollout has targeted coverage for 75% of NZ by 2020 – a coverage target we believe is far too low. Our goal is to extend the rollout to reach 97.8% of Kiwis by the same deadline.
“The internet is a critical tool for farmers to trade online and access important online banking and financial services. Improved internet connectivity will improve productivity across the board. The internet enables “precision farming” – managing herds, better co-ordination with suppliers, enhancing value-add, online tools, and data analysis.”
There were also social benefits and the party would make sure children who had access to fast internet at school also had it at home.
Asked why a dairy farmer should vote for their party, ACT said it fervently hoped dairy farmers better understood the power of splitting their vote.
“We suggest they vote for an electorate candidate of their choice but exercise their added power and influence by giving their party vote to ACT, the party that values producers’ enterprise more than others. By doing that they can help ensure a stable, John Key-led coalition. A party vote for ACT is the ‘Right Choice’ for dairying.”
UnitedFuture said it sought to make NZ the best place in the world to live and raise a family, the world's first truly successful multi-ethnic nation, where every citizen, whatever their background, race, or creed, was recognised as bringing a positive feature to the national table, and where all had the chance to enjoy everything that is good in our country.
The Maori Party said land and resources were precious taonga and it was committed to protecting them for future generations.
“The Maori Party has a vested interest in protecting our environment and we will ensure this remains a priority so that all dairy farms in NZ run effectively, both practically, economically, and with as little impact on the environment as possible.”
The Internet Party said that as responsible, modern businesspeople, it would tell farmers – “you accept the concept of sustainability and of leaving an environmental legacy to future farmers and their families. You recognise the importance of the internet when it comes to effectively running your business in the digital economy. We get it too, and our policies thoroughly support your sentiments.”
Who speaks on primary industries?
ACT: Don Nicolson, pictured, Southland farmer and former president of Federated Farmers. He is ranked fifth on the party list and is standing in the Clutha-Southland electorate.
Maori Party: Susan Cullen, Hauraki-Waikato candidate. She and her husband are dairy farming in Southland and she’s experienced in large herd management, farm conversions, and irrigation issues, with a particular interest in effluent management, riparian planting projects, and environmental perception of dairy industry.
United Future: Peter Dunne, a Member of Parliament since 1984. He has held ministerial portfolios in both Labour-led and National-led Governments and is Minister of Internal Affairs, Associate Minister of Health, and Associate Minister of Conservation in the Key Government.
New Zealand First: Richard Prosser, List MP. He spent 10 years in the Central Otago wine industry and before entering Parliament was a design and sales engineer in the agricultural irrigation industry.
Internet Party: The party didn’t have a specific agriculture policy or spokesperson in mid-July but leader Laila Harre answers policy questions.
Conservative Party: Nobody named by August 1.
Mana Party: Nobody named by August 1.
NZ First, Conservatives, and Mana
New Zealand First’s policy statement said the party was firmly committed to supporting the primary sector and heartland communities which created most of the country’s wealth.
Its policies included ending land sales to foreign interests and ensuring the retention of the farming sector in the ownership of NZ-resident farmers.
“Sensible primary production policy must take account of the needs of provincial people who operate in support of farmers and growers as well as the agricultural sector.”
NZ First would resource vital rural infrastructure such as roads, schools, healthcare, cellphone coverage, reliable electricity supply, and broadband. It would provide proper and adequate resourcing to provincial road and rail infrastructure to ensure that farmers and other primary producers could easily and efficiently transport stock and produce to processing plants and to air and sea ports.
The Conservative Party website had an answer from leader Colin Craig on the intensification of agriculture in NZ and the importance to the economy.
“Agriculture is the main export earner for NZ and vital to the economy.
“In NZ we do, however, have a lack of diversification and we would support development of a broader export base especially with specialised and high-value foods and natural health products. Most importantly we need to grow the value-added sector which is woefully small.”
The Mana Party’s website in mid-July did not mention agriculture or the dairy industry, but it had a brace of policies on environmental issues.
