Vegetables NZ Inc

GOVERNMENT LEADING RATHER THAN JUST TAXING

Words by Antony Heywood : General Manager, Vegetables New Zealand Inc.

Current heating for greenhouses

Here is an idea – let’s get the government to lead climate change initiatives rather than imposing tax on climate change inputs.

They could start by getting their own business to offset their emissions. Only the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) can stand up a take a bow – it has a carbon neutral policy and is actively driving this policy. What about other government departments?

Climate change will have an effect on all New Zealanders. Moves to ensure the survival of our piece of the planet will increase the price of resources. When adapting to climate change, the biggest impact will be in agriculture. While not as significant as agriculture, horticulture will also be affected by climate change. The price of fertiliser will go up, so will the price of energy and fuel as well as the cost of compliance. Growers are currently absorbing this cost, but it is now at a tipping point. The price of food needs to go up to cover production cost increases. A 2019 New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) report showed that in real terms, the price of produce has not changed in eight years. The price of food has gone up, but the farmer has not received any of the increase. With the costs associated with climate change, this situation needs to be addressed. If we do not have a diverse base of growers located in all regions of New Zealand, the price of food is likely to increase anyway. Fewer and larger growers will change the supply/demand balance, moving New Zealand away from a supply centric model. Moreover, what of food security? Covid-19 has shown us that it is important to have food grown in all regions of our country so that we can feed our people.

Climate change will have an effect on all New Zealanders. Moves to ensure the survival of our piece of the planet will increase the price of resources. When adapting to climate change, the biggest impact will be in agriculture. While not as significant as agriculture, horticulture will also be affected by climate change

When it comes to being carbon neutral, it is easy to offset the carbon emission on air travel. Air New Zealand has carbon offsets – just click a button and pay some money. This offset is usually given to an organisation to plant and grow trees. A highly commendable practice. The other offset that is used is a carbon credit, like a certificate, which is traded on an international exchange – a certificate that allows some other country to grow trees or build a renewable solar energy farm.

Here is a thought – what if New Zealanders could invest, by way of carbon offset, in New Zealand renewable energy projects? These projects need not be wind farms. They could be a coal boiler conversion in a glasshouse or a school, building New Zealand resources for the betterment of New Zealand people. Here is an even crazier idea – what if the government set the example and started this offset project? Maybe the carbon offset for the Ministry for Primary Industries could be commercial heat pumps in all South Island glasshouses.

There are some growers who use process heat in glasshouses to grow leafy greens who do not get access to ETS credits. That means those growers have being paying an additional tax compared to other glasshouse growers to grow their crops

The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) credit system is not an equitable tax system for carbon. There are some growers who use process heat in glasshouses to grow leafy greens who do not get access to ETS credits. That means those growers have being paying an additional tax compared to other glasshouse growers to grow their crops. Is this fair? Should they now not be able to use that tax to gain some benefit – pay it forward for a new commercial heat pump? Now is the time for us to think outside the box to deliver good outcomes to protect our food security system. New Zealand needs our growers to be in the regions supplying food and places of work. Fresh and nutritious food is vital for New Zealand to remain healthy. Now is the time for New Zealand to look after New Zealand.

VNZI BOARD ELECTIONS – 2021

Director nominations open: 17 June Director nominations close: 5pm, 8 July

There are two vacancies available for an elected Board member.

Current Board member, John Murphy, retires by rotation this year and has confirmed is available for re-election.

Current Chair, Andre de Bruin, retires from the VNZI Board and Chair position on 5 August 2021.

Any vegetable grower interested in joining the VNZI Board should contact VNZI General Manager, Antony Heywood on 021 998 038.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

IF IT’S FRESH PRODUCE IN NEW ZEALAND, WE HAVE IT COVERED.

Reaching all levy-paying growers of vegetables and berryfruit in New Zealand.

PRINT New Zealand resident NZ$135 (GST inclusive) Australia & Pacific NZ$230 (airmail delivery) Rest of the World NZ$250 or US equivalent (airmail)

VOL 76 | NO 04 | MAY 2021

LUSCIOUS LETTUCE

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HORTICULTURE NEW ZEALAND

20 GET IN QUICK 38 PROFESSOR STEPHEN WRATTEN OBITUARY 48 GREENHOUSE SERIES CONTINUES