In some regions, especially the East Coast of the North Island, there does appear to be a trend of land-use change happening and there will be more trees there. Farmers and regional leaders worry what impact that will have on their communities and whether the schools and townships will survive. They say it takes fewer people to tend trees than it does to herd sheep. They are valid concerns, even if they are challenged by those in the forestry industry and the Government.
Agriculture minister Damien O’Connor reminded us last week that land-use changes are nothing new and in fact the amount of land in forest is less than it has been. The protest is indicative of the siege mentality that is gripping some farmers at the moment. With greenhouse gas and water reforms happening now and biodiversity regulations to come there’s a lot to process. The first response is often to lash out.
Interestingly, another group of under-fire farmers has taken another tack. Winter grazing is in the spotlight down south but affected farmers aren’t protesting. They’re reaching out and having a conversation through organised barbecues in town centres.
They think the best path to reconciliation is through understanding not opposition.
One only has to look to Europe to see successful farmer protests in action, with tractor-clogged motorways in France and the Netherlands recently bringing rural issues literally into the cities. It’s not as clear cut here. The protest in Morrinsville during the last election campaign arguably did far more harm than good to rural communities and solidified the thinking of many voters on issues such as freshwater and greenhouse gases. Optics are important and protesters need to be sure the message they’re trying to convey is the one that is received. Time will tell if they’ve used the right words.
Bryan Gibson
