Farmer confidence showing positive signs, challenges remain

ACT Agriculture spokesperson Mark Cameron is welcoming Federated Farmers’ latest Farm Confidence Survey, which shows farmer perceptions of general economic conditions reaching an eight-year high, but says there is more work to be done – including resolving challenges posed by our climate commitments.

“ACT is committed to being part of a Government that lets farmers farm. It’s clear our changes so far have resonated with rural New Zealand but there’s still more to do,” says Mr Cameron.

“We’ve cut waste and refocused the Reserve Bank on tackling inflation to bring interest rates down. Agriculture has been kept out of the Emissions Trading Scheme and Labour’s anti-farmer policies including the ute tax and new resource management regime have been axed.

“The progress is good, but farmers still deserve better. More work is underway to cut rural red tape, such as the repeal and replacement of the RMA that puts property rights first. I’m advocating to remove te Mana o te Wai from freshwater management completely so farmers can farm without having to worry about spiritual concepts like the mana and mauri of the water.

“The survey continues to reflect what farmers are telling me. Climate concerns have climbed into second place as farmers’ greatest concerns – it’s clear the Paris Agreement and the resulting afforestation is creating uncertainty.

“It doesn’t make sense to shut down efficient Kiwi farms only for that production to be shifted offshore to less efficient countries. People still need to eat, babies still need their formula, it’s a nonsense to suggest that would be good for the environment.

“It’s time for an honest conversation about what these Paris targets mean, how much they’ll cost, and whether it’s time to fight for change or prepare to leave. Resolving these questions would do a great deal to lift confidence higher.”