Playing by the rules has worked for the country.
Saying that, I’d love the Government to introduce instant fines for breaking the lockdown.
I’ve been proud of how our politicians and representatives have worked over the crisis. I’ve mentioned Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor on previous occasions and he’s worked behind the scenes doing a great job.
New Zealand First’s agriculture spokesman Mark Patterson has been active as well. He certainly understands the issues and is prepared to fight on our behalf.
I’ve been similarly impressed with the understanding of the sector by National’s Todd Muller.
As a sector we’re fortunate.
What’s really impressed me is the work of Federated Farmers.
In times of crisis it’s easy to blow it by either going too hard or too soft. I believe Feds has played it right.
They’ve represented our interests firmly and factually. Getting that balance isn’t easy.
Everyone has stepped up.
Chris Allen fronted Friday Flash, the Feds weekly e-newsletter acknowledging up front the Government has handled the covid-19 crisis well.
He talked about returning to normal and smart, green investment in the primary sector.
He then provided a link to Parliament’s powerful Epidemic Response Committee chaired by Opposition leader Simon Bridges with all parties represented.
Feds president Katie Milne and vice-president Andrew Hoggard fronted the committee from their farms with Hoggard having some technical difficulties.
As well as Bridges there’s heavyweights like National’s Paula Bennett, Paul Goldsmith and Michael Woodhouse, Labour’s Ruth Dyson, Michael Wood and Kieran McAnulty, Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson and Act’s David Seymour along with NZ First representative Fletcher Tabuteau.
I’ve covered more Parliamentary committees than I care to remember and I don’t think I’ve seen a better all-round performance than that from Katie Milne.
She appeared relaxed, sounded confident and certainly knew her stuff. She told it as it was down on the farm.
She started by acknowledging the seriousness of the situation and explained the broad representation Federated Farmers enjoys.
She explained the issues with the drought compounded by covid-19, Mycoplasma bovis and difficulties with meat processing. That farmers need to stay healthy and there are still non-essential jobs on the farm like track maintenance that have to be done before winter.
Farmers are conservationists but want the Essential Freshwater reforms to be halted and properly costed.
She pointed out if the reforms don’t go ahead farmers will still protect the environment.
It stuck me that a way forward for the Government would be to have a reform package for all water not just rivers in rural areas.
That would include harbours and urban streams. You can get just as ill from a polluted harbour as you can from a polluted river and many more people swim in harbours.
In addition, many rivers are fine in rural areas but become polluted when passing through towns and cities.
Milne gave Trade Minister David Parker strong support for his work keeping our borders open. I agree.
She described the situation on farms clearly, painted farmers as responsible, conservation-minded people who care deeply for the welfare of their livestock. She also supported the Government’s infrastructure thrust talking of rural broadband and the need for improved roads and bridges.
Question time was interesting.
Asked about Gypsy Day the politicians were told Feds is working with the Primary Industries Ministry.
It was acknowledged the only real way out of the crisis we are in through no fault of our own is with food production and that farmers produce food.
Free trade must be maintained, subsidies eliminated and NZ farmers are the world’s most efficient food producers.
The Green Party expressed support for what farmers are doing for the environment and talked of employing Kiwis in the provinces, on farms, with pest control and helping to eliminate wilding pines.
At the end of the committee hearing no politician would have had any doubt about what life was like on the farm today, the reality, the challenges and the threats and opportunities.
It was a remarkable performance.
The board of Feds is focused and effective.
As well as Milne, Hoggard and Chris Allen there’s little happening in dairying Chris Lewis isn’t on top of. Miles Anderson has already appeared in Farmers Weekly talking about rural security under covid-19 and there isn’t a cropping farmer in Wairarapa who wouldn’t support Karen Williams.
The road ahead is rocky but we are privileged to have the politicians supporting our sector in Parliament and Federated Farmers representing grassroots farmers and doing it well.
