Groundswell NZ has taken to the highways again, and this time as we watched, you couldn’t help but sing the song ‘We’re Not Gonna Take It’ by Twisted Sister, as they rolled through the cities.
The protest was fairly low key in Invercargill, in fact, many people would’ve just thought it was farmer’s day out in the city – but further up the country they were making more of a scene.
Speaking live with media this afternoon, founders Bryce McKenzie and Laurie Paterson described themselves as “a couple of upstarts,” and said they were anything but mainstream.
“We feel let down and this is the biggest thing that has happened in New Zealand in agriculture,” Bryce said.
When questioned by media about whether they thought their message was getting through to the government, they threw it back to the reporters.
“That’s a difficult one. Do you think it is?” Laurie asked. Somebody also let it slip at the end of the media conference that it was his birthday, to which everybody started singing…
The pair also didn’t rule out taking further action and changing tactic if they didn’t get what they wanted, in relation to the agricultural emissions proposals.
whatsoninvers.nz founder Mike Sanford said he has been behind GroundswellNZ and the hard working farmers from the start. “Without them we starve. New Zealand famers are the most efficient in the world.”
Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds said Southland farmers told her that they feel like they’re under siege, and the strength of today’s protest reflects their genuine concern about the Government’s proposals.
“The massive turn out at today’s Groundswell event, where farmers rallied to show their dismay at the action’s of this Government, shows the strength of feeling in the South.
“The Government’s emissions pricing scheme is another kick in the guts for farmers, which threatens the future of the rural sector 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.
“This province, and indeed this country, needs the rural sector. We’ve said it time and again how crucial farming is to our economy – that’s why I’m dismayed at the way the government constantly wants to nail the sector.
“The Government’s emissions proposal will see up to 20 per cent of the capacity of sheep and beef farming lost by 2030 – while forcing emissions to increase offshore, as production and jobs move overseas.
“It’s impractical and it’s unfair and farmers, rural communities and New Zealand cannot afford a blow like this.
“National supports agriculture paying its way, but believes the Government’s proposed costs are unacceptable especially when, with more care, there will be a better way to reduce emissions without so much damage.”
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