Groundswell NZ Plans Biggest Protest Yet
Groundswell NZ is planning another major national protest, and also feels that DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb NZ have let farmers down majorly by supporting the new farm emissions plan.
On its Facebook page yesterday Groundswell NZ said the two industry levy bodies should have stood up to the Government, and listened to grassroots farmers genuine concerns.
“They knew best, because they were “at the table”. And look where that’s got us.
“They should have said ‘NO – let’s look for a better way. It’s time for new, stronger leadership and direction for rural advocacy NZ.”
As well as another Groundswell NZ major protest, Federated Farmers is also holding a public meeting at ILT Stadium Southland on October 26, in response to the Government’s He Waka Eke Noa scheme.
Groundswell NZ founder Bryce McKenzie said this protest was not just about farmers, “but what it will do to New Zealand.” We’re not going to muck around. This is major.”
As a dairy farmer, he said it would be easier for him to now stop what he was doing and just grow more trees and live off the carbon credits.
“For food producers and food consumers this is a nuclear moment.”
Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds has described the Government’s farm emissions plan as “another kick in the guts for farmers, which threatens the future of farming in the South.”
“I’m deeply concerned at the implications of the Government’s proposals, which will effectively price farming off the market for a large number of people within the sector and risk leaving our rural communities in despair.
“Yes, there has to be change, but let’s not forget that our farmers are already the most carbon efficient in the world and nowhere else in the world is imposing a carbon tax on their agricultural sector.
She believes the only way forward is an industry-led solution based on available science and technology, not regulations imposed by a Government and its bureaucrats who think they can run the rural sector from their offices in Wellington.
Joseph Mooney MP for Southland and Associate Spokesperson for Agriculture encourages the people of Southland to ensure their voices are heard as the Government consults on the plan.
“Farmers and rural landowners will be disappointed by the Government’s failure to acknowledge that New Zealand farmers are already the most carbon-efficient food producers globally in its recent announcements on agricultural emissions.
“Our farmers make a significant contribution to New Zealand’s economy. Agriculture earns more than half this country’s export revenue, and they deserve credit where it’s due,” he said.
Mr Mooney says Labour’s plans to reduce sheep and beef farming and production by one-fifth in five years is unacceptable.
“The reductions could counter-productively lead to higher global emissions as more sheep and beef production moves overseas to less-efficient farms, and potentially contributes to worsening the food security crisis already being experienced globally.
Consultation runs until 18 November 2022 environment.govt.nz/publications/pricing-agricultural-emissions-consultation-document