Garrick Batten
The well-attended March meeting had Zoom as upside to pandemic restrictions, and that also provides ongoing opportunities for all members to participate in these meetings.
First item on the agenda was a report on Maruia district flooding that severely affected a relatively small number of farmers. They had been assisted by formal support from RST, RAG, and the Regional Council that will be installing a warning device for future events. Their Murchison FF colleagues restored fences.
President Martin O’Connor prefaced his report by reminding members and all farmers to communicate their needs when affected in any way be Covid-19, and to seek help when required. Each farm, large and small, should have a Covid plan.
Farm Emissions Controls
Martin then monitored discussion in preparation for an upcoming National Council meeting on emissions and particularly on He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN), and Forestry/Carbon mining, although the latter topic was overtaken by prolonged discussion on current HWEN consultations.
Both Stephen Todd and Kerry Irvine reported on their respective Dairy and Meat and Wool national sector meetings with similar comments and conclusions. Later, members’ contributions endorsed those. They can be summarised as concerns over many aspects including incomplete information and lack of time to consider the implications of HWEN proposals and the split-gas ETS model. Federated Farmers continued to be concerned that they are only one of nine producer groups with possibly different interests and consequences, plus two government ministries, involved in developing the models, options and significance.
While there is general support for reducing emissions on farms, very complex decisions need to be made on individual farms, and each farmer must consider all the proposals in the light of their own personal, productive, economic and environmental situation. Unfortunately, this is difficult without a specific and firm financial base. Even the administrative costs of any option can be significant, in addition to costs of emissions mitigation.
Underlying the proposals that have been developed with consultation amongst producers, and with mixed opinions and support, is the risk from previous examples and actions that the government could twist the scheme, introduce new details or requirements, or impose its will for its own political reasons. There have already been indications of that, and no guarantees are available.
The lack of information meant unanswered questions, leading to the opinions expressed by all members who had tried to study the situation and decide between the various evils. The extended discussion could be summarised in two words as ‘general frustration’.
Local Conditions
It was perhaps some balance that dairy and meat and wool farmers are benefitting from a relatively satisfactory season with adequate rainfall and better product prices to help balance rapidly inflating costs. However, wool continues to be a negative, and the Stoke plant closing for three days disrupted what had been a reasonable processing situation to date.
Harry Matthews reported on his programme increasing membership that continues to be constrained by the Covid situation affecting his visits to the region and on-farm calls. The national target of doubling membership in four years has been adversely affected, not helped by disconnect between head office and members who could improve their own situation with greater local involvement.
He had noticed an increase in smaller farm units for sale, reflecting owners’ dissatisfaction and resignation with the multitude of regulations and requirements continuing to engulf farmers, as well as their ability to pay the costs.
The next Zoom meeting is to be on 5 April, with the AGM is planned for Upper Moutere on 12 May. Members involvement is increasingly important to overcome the recent frequent examples of playing catch-up to the government in its regulatory programme. Farmers should have been involved in the initial development stages that would have helped both the government and themselves.
