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Daily Digest: June 16, 2020

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“New Zealand’s new climate law must be implemented in tandem with new trade and agriculture policies that diversify the economy away from its addiction to dairy exports. This will require a dramatic reduction of the country’s dairy herd.”
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That stark message from the advocacy group the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, contained in a report titled Milking the Planet will not be greeted with enthusiasm by many in this country’s primary sector.

According to the report the 13 biggest dairy companies in the world have the same combined greenhouse gas emissions as Britain. More than 90% of the corporate dairy industries’ emissions are produced by the cows themselves, mostly in the form of methane. 

The report says between 2015-2017 Fonterra increased its emissions by 7% because of a rise in production. 

It warns that even though New Zealand is the first country to regulate agricultural methane emissions it will find it difficult to fulfil its climate goals unless it incentivises lower production.

 

Gerard Hutching

 

Farmers bullish in BNZ survey

A BNZ survey shows most of the 1300+ farmers questioned are optimistic about the primary sector’s prospects, much of it driven by their sense of importance in the country’s rebuild. 

 

Exports ahead of last year

New Zealand’s primary exports are forecast to grow $1.7 billion this year, led by the dairy industry, which has recorded export figures for the second quarter 12% above those of last year. Another strong performer has been fresh fruit. 

 

Grants to transform Maori farms

A grant of $858,000 from the Provincial Growth Fund to the Tapuaetahi Incorporation in the Bay of Islands will see it in the black for the first time in 50 years. In addition, a grant of $658,000 will be used to increase productivity on the Okaroro Incorporation’s Whenua Whakatupuranga Project.

 

Plan change goes to appeal

Federated Farmers has appealed against Waikato’s Healthy Rivers plan change 1 to the Environment Court, arguing some classes of land prohibiting cattle could in fact support them without damaging soils.

 

Hoggard awaits confirmation as Feds president

Andrew Hoggard has been voted in as Federated Farmers national president to replace Katie Milne amid a number of changes to the board of the influential lobby group. Barring challenges, he and other appointees will be confirmed at a virtual annual meeting on June 26.

 

 

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