Guest column

Congrats, Labour –let’s keep moving

By Andrew Hoggard

The president of Federated Farmers of NZ takes a look at the election results and what it will mean for farmers.

We can pick over the back some of the billions borrowed what-ifs and whys of during the pandemic response. the election results till Those simple facts mean the incoming the cows come home government will need to be pragmatic but the fact is, the people have spoken. around how they proceed. They need Now, we all need to get on with it, and the primary sector to be prospering, not seek the best for New Zealand and New bunkering down for three years. Zealanders. Federated Farmers is committed to a

Congratulations to Labour; it was a very positive working relationship with the comprehensive victory. new administration. We share the vision

It was particularly pleasing to see for sustainability and environmental existing MPs such as Jo Luxton, Kiri Allan stewardship, now we have to work and Kieran McAnulty do well in provincial together to find the best and most seats as well as some others with a practical way to achieve it. strong rural background becoming MPs. The election result has given the They have been positively engaged with Labour Party opportunity to work with Federated Farmers and farmers over farmers from the ground up, catchment the last three years, gaining significant by catchment, not with blanket rules respect from the primary sector. If they that don’t take account of the particular are rewarded with more responsibilities topography, geography and production this is likely to strengthen the voice of characteristics of different districts. rural communities within government. Our message to Jacinda Ardern

There have been a number of and her new Cabinet is that the more significant “casualties” from the vote. your Government is able to minimise Our commiserations and thanks for all of disruption to farmers’ livelihoods those who sought office and missed out. through smart and targeted regulations, It’s no small undertaking to represent a or indeed staying out of it and letting community in Parliament. current sustainability momentum

I’d especially like to single out NZ First continue, the better placed we will be agriculture spokesperson Mark Patterson, to support regional economies and the who put his heart and soul into working national economy. for rural NZ. Significant changes, not mere

So, what does the election result mean tinkering, will be required if the for farmers and Federated Farmers? freshwater regulations are to be fit

Firstly, it’s important to remember for purpose and are to achieve the that we have increasing demand from environmental improvements we all overseas for our agricultural products and seek, in a way that enables the primary we have world-leading environmental sector to prosper. sustainability for our production, on top Federated Farmers’ two other top of no government subsidies. We have a priorities are sensible policies to do with fantastic story to tell. the RMA and climate change.

For most of 2020, and for each of We seek a complete overhaul of the next few years, there will be a $10 the cumbersome and costly Resource billion-plus hole in the economy left by Management Act, but with retention disruption to international tourism. The of the effects-based ethos, and the primary industries will be key to export requirement to balance economic earnings and our ability to start paying as well as environmental, social and Federated Farmer president Andrew Hoggard says the organisation is committed to working with the reelected government to ensure the agri sector prospers.

cultural wellbeings. Regional and District Plans should provide a smoother and less expensive pathway for activities to occur, with any requirements for resource consent to be better aligned with the scale of the activity’s potential environmental impact. Given that both main parties signalled a desire to completely replace the RMA, then hopefully we will see action – and maybe even bi-partisan action – here.

We also want to see progress – but also recognition of the science – on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).

Latest scientific modelling concludes that biogenic methane reductions of 10% by 2050 are more than enough for NZ’s net livestock methane emissions to no longer contribute to additional global warming.

On these fronts and others, we need policies that are achievable, practical and well-grounded in science.

Once again – congratulations to all those who have gained office. We look forward to working with you in the three years ahead. There’s a mountain of work to do if we’re to achieve the right settings and certainty the primary sector needs to invest in the technology that will drive gains for production and the environment. n