Farmers Weekly NZ November 18 2019

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Hear our voices Colin Williscroft colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz

C

OUNTRY went to town in Wellington on Thursday with hundreds of farmers marching on Parliament to protest against what they see as increasing afforestation of productive farmland, often by overseas owners. However, it wasn’t the only reason people were there with others expressing disapproval of policies focusing on everything from environmental regulations to gun control. After gathering at Civic Square the protestors, many with placards and led by a tractor carrying a sign saying “Farmers have had enough” marched down Lambton Quay to Parliament where they delivered a petition, signed by more than 11,000 people online, calling for the rejection of legislation that incentivises blanket afforestation of farmland. A minute’s silence for rural New Zealand and the laying of a wreath made from pine trees were part of the ceremony. Accepting the petition, National Party agriculture spokesman Todd Muller acknowledged the work of its instigator, Gisborne farmer Kerry Worsnop, who drove for eight hours to be at the protest. Worsnop said she was very pleased with the number of rural people, mainly from the lower North Island but also from as far afield as Canterbury and Otago, who turned up. Before the march she hoped it

TAKE NOTE: Farmers and other rural folk made their grievances plain to politicians when they marched on Parliament.

might attract a similar number of people to the 400 who took part in infamous fart tax march on Parliament in 2003 and that number was easily surpassed. Muller told the crowd he and his fellow National MPs – including

a few who were on the march – stand shoulder to shoulder with them, which drew a few jeers from the crowd who questioned why the party did not vote against the Zero Carbon Bill. That was nothing to the reaction

given to Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor and Forestry Minister Shane Jones. O’Connor, who was often interrupted by the crowd, said he appreciates their concerns, the Government is listening and if it

Photo: Mark Coote

sees a need to step in and address afforestation of productive farmland then it will but it does not believe there is a massive shift to plantation forestry.

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