The Government’s Agriculture Ministers have begun a nationwide tour, starting in Wairarapa today, April 8. The tour aims to connect with farmers who have been struggling with high inflation rates, high interest rates, bad weather, and rising farm costs in recent years.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay stated that the government’s immediate focus is to ease the pressure farmers are experiencing due to challenging central government policies. This is the reason for the tour, to hear directly from the farmers themselves. McClay emphasized the importance of the agriculture sector, which contributes over 80% of New Zealand’s goods exports and feeds an estimated 40 million people worldwide.
Associate Agriculture Minister Hoggard highlighted the need to address unworkable and overly detailed regulations, so farmers can concentrate on being efficient food and fibre producers. The tour will provide an opportunity to discuss the issues affecting farmers the most.
Associate Agriculture and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson, who is responsible for wool, is working with farmers to strengthen the wool industry. He noted the difficulties faced by sheep farmers due to an oversupply of Australian lamb in the market, which is driving down prices.
The ministers will be meeting with people from Northland to Southland in woolsheds to discuss potential solutions. The full schedule of the tour is as follows, with exact times and locations to be confirmed:
– April 8, 2024: Wairarapa, Masterton
– April 22, 2024: Taranaki King-Country, Piopio and Te Kuiti
– April 23, 2024: Waitaki, Waimate and Fairlie
– April 24, 2024: Whanganui, Eltham and Fordell; Rangitata, Mt Somers; Selwyn, Malvern
– May 3, 2024: Kaikoura, Blenheim
– May 10, 2024: Rangitikei, Turakina and Cheltenham
– May 13, 2024: East Coast, Gisborne
– May 14, 2024: East Coast, Tologa Bay
– May 17, 2024: Southland, Five Rivers
– July 15, 2024: Tukituki, Hastings; Wairarapa, Dannevirke
– July 18, 2024: Northland, Dargaville and Kerikeri
More dates and locations will be added.
