Opinion
22 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – November 30, 2020
EDITORIAL
Time to set a new course
T
HE Prime Minister told delegates at last week’s Primary Industries’ summit that farmers and growers would be key to New Zealand’s recovery from covid-19. It’s obvious that our exporting sectors will bring in the revenue needed, especially as international tourist dollars have been shut out because of the virus. However, the PM also reminded delegates of the size of Labour’s mandate. The subtext was that the Government’s plans to improve environmental performance through regulation had widespread buy-in. One concession made was that if parts of the freshwater reforms were found to be unworkable, they’d be modified. She referenced the changes made to pugging rules and said there may be other issues, such as some winter grazing practices, that could also be modified. These are reassuring signs that food producers will be a part of designing our response to the issues around the climate and the environment that a vast majority of New Zealanders want addressed. The sector needs to want these things too. Also at last week’s summit, there was the usual talk of telling farming’s story better and reaching high-value consumers. Then there were those arguing the details around nitrogen runoff and how to equate methane levels. Now, these things are important – you can’t improve what you can’t accurately measure. But there’s a bit of cognitive dissonance involved in seeking high-value customers while challenging the need to improve performance. Saying we’re doing well already doesn’t cut it. The Government regulations introduced so far gives farmers and growers time to set a new course. Where there are obstacles too great to navigate, the sector must work constructively to work out a detour. The Government has a plan and, like it or not, it’s in the sector’s best interests to work with them to get the best outcomes for farmers. The PM isn’t stupid. She knows the vast majority of the team of five million has her back when it comes to a sustainable future. US politics has shown us where politicising social issues can lead. Let’s instead get this team on the same page working towards the same goal.
Bryan Gibson
LETTERS
Time is right to unite and move forward NOW that we know the election results, this is the time to reconfigure an opposition party built from all members as there are some good ideas among them all. The country has competent, well-educated people with talent in every field to draw from. We need to lift the image of our elected MPs and their efforts should be appreciated more as they are required to serve the public who elected them. The elected members should also be among the best paid. Many of us have grandchildren and greatgrandchildren’s futures to think of, so let us move forward in a unified country, with the understanding that we don’t own it, it owns us. I think we have too many list MPs appointed by the party
faithful, not by democratic means of the population for their respective talents. Three years is a short timeframe to move forward with a new vision. Let’s start the dialogue now. BJ Gimblett, aged 95 Palmerston North
Borax could work REGARDING the carpet beetle question asked by Cliff Walker (Farmers Weekly, November 11); Borax solution is what taxidermists use to prevent weevils from getting into furs and feathered trophies. It is said to moth-proof the job for a lifetime. I do not see why it would not be equally effective in wool.
Be prepared
Letters to the Editor
REGARDING Steve WynHarris’ column on November 23; heading out onto his farm, I asked the old, hill country farmer what I should wear. He said, “If the sun’s shining, you take your swani. If it’s raining, please yourself.” I suspect you’ve been told that too.
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THE FUTURE: Ninety-five year old BJ Gimblett says New Zealand needs to unify in order to ensure a good future for our children and grandchildren.
Don Sayles Dannevirke
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