Farmers band together to fight for farmers

Published date01 September 2022
Publication titleNorth Canterbury News
The large group of concerned sheep and beef farmers, including several North Canterbury farmers, says the break down in the farming industry will result in massive community displacement and social upheaval, ‘‘all while HWEN proudly claims to be building farmer resilience to climate change’’

The open letter calls for immediate action from B+LNZ on HWEN, as the group considers the special meeting pathway as levy payers to reinforce the key principles of any future emissions pricing, and ‘‘including as a last resort, a vote of no confidence in our industry representatives for failing to advocate in accordance with these principles’’.

The group acknowledges the good work that B+LNZ undertakes on it behalf, but says because of the gravity of the consequences of this issue ‘‘it is our expectation that this call to action be addressed and acted upon on behalf of all extensive sheep, beef and deer farmers of New Zealand without delay’’.

Local Rural Advocacy Network chair, Jamie McFadden, says the letter raises massive questions as to how industry leaders got to the point of agreeing to such an ‘‘appalling policy’’ that will have devastating consequences for communities, and whether by becoming ‘‘agents in helping the Government implement an unworkable policy so widely opposed by farmers they have forfeited the right to claim to be advocates and representatives of grassroots farmers’’.

The letter at the eleventh hour comes as the group abandons any hope HWEN recommendations will deliver any value to the country beyond widespread afforestation, community devastation and the further intensification of land remaining in pastoral use.

‘‘The simple truth is that those tasked with finding a path forward have so far faltered and resigned themselves to conflicted compromises while departing from their stated aims of enabling sustainable food and fibre production for future generations,’’ the letter says.

‘‘While our industry leaders and government bask in political glory, in truth, it will be roughly 6500 sheep, beef and deer family farmers, their communities, their schools and small provincial businesses who pay the price,’’ the letter says.

‘‘Failing this, we will be faced with little choice but to consider the Special Meeting pathway available to us as levy payers to reinforce the key principles of any future emissions pricing including as a last resort, a Vote of No Confidence in our industry representatives for failing to advocate in accordance with these...

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