Federated Farmers and IrrigationNZ are pleased with the response to concerns expressed by thousands who turned up to meetings and consequent changes to time frames, water quality limits and stock exclusion.
The Greenpeace response has been relatively muted, largely focusing on the decision to cap synthetic nitrogen use to 190kg/ha. It says it welcomes the move though it is still pushing for a total ban.
Farmers were not the only ones to make their views felt in numbers. Environment Minister David Parker says the issue attracted the most submissions ever, reflecting the need to strike a balance between contrasting views – which the Government appears to have done.
Freshwater reforms will increase export value
Federated Farmers has given a provisional thumbs-up to the freshwater package, saying there have been much needed changes to timeframes, some of the water quality limits and rules around stock exclusion. It includes a $700m fund for riparian and wetland planting.
Biotech company targets biosecurity
Auckland biotech company Pictor is leading the charge to tackle Mycoplasma bovis and covid-19. It has received $500,000 to develop a more sensitive M bovis test as well as one that detects covid-19 at different stages of infection, enabling early diagnosis of infected people.
Farmers share regenerative passion
Regenerative farming advocates are looking at how to transform their passion into something that will work commercially. One of their aims is to develop measurements to define regeneratively produced foods against those from conventional systems.
Keeping faith with public
Nuffield Scholar Ben Hancock has studied the breakdown of trust between food producers and consumers. One of the problems is farmers will assess the benefits of a technology on their systems in terms of production, business or lifestyle. However, those values might not align with those held by the wider society.
Horizons rejigs projects
Horizons has resubmitted 13 projects worth $150m for its shovel-ready list, with a strong focus on riparian planting and stream fencing, pest plant and animal control, biodiversity enhancement and accelerating the Sustainable Land Use Initiative.
Koi carp eradication stalls
Waikato Regional Council hopes for Government funding to continue its project to eradicate koi carp, following a rates freeze putting stress on its budget.
Tonight on Sarah’s Country
7.10pm – What is the state of play for our dairy markets in Europe and how has covid-19 affected the demand and price for dairy products? We will analyse this with Fonterra Europe sales manager Huey van Vliet.
7.20pm – Planting botanical species to attract the enemies of pests is becoming popular around the world as primary producers search for effective, non-synthetic pest-control strategies. Bio-Protection Research Centre deputy director Stephen Goldson explains why our native insects have not evolved to live in our exotic pasture species.
7.30pm – New rules for transporting cattle and deer make it illegal to move untagged animals. Nait head Kevin Forward will discuss this and how the industry can up its game with contract tracing.
7.40pm – Farmers will face a cap on the amount of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser they can apply under new rules to improve freshwater quality. Nuffield Scholar and Landpro managing director Kate Scott will break down the details and take your questions on what the Government’s Essential Freshwater package has in it.
