Determined to fight forestry spread

THE EXECUTIVE: The 2020 provincial executive of Federated Farmers was re-elected unopposed at the Gisborne-Wairoa AGM yesterday. From left are Sam Hain, Laura Savage, Toby Williams (re-elected president), Richard Briant, Charlie Reynolds and Sandra Matthews. Absent are Kristin Kirkpatrick, Campbell Chrisp, Allan Newton and Richard Webby. Picture by Murray Robertson

THE fight to hold back the spread of forestry on to good farmland in this region remains one of the highest priorities for the provincial executive of Federated Farmers.

That was a major point made yesterday in the annual report presented by Gisborne-Wairoa president Toby Williams to the organisation’s annual meeting at the Poverty Bay Golf Club.

“When I took on this role last year there seemed a lull in proceedings while we waited for the government to release the healthy waterways legislation.

“I thought this would be an opportune time to get my head around the role and what was expected. Unfortunately for me the lull was a short one.”

PriceWaterhouseCoopers released their report extolling the virtues of plantation and carbon forestry when compared to pastoral farming.

“For me this was like red rag to a bull,” Mr Williams said.

“We know all too well on the East Coast that plantation forestry does not generate more jobs than sheep and beef farming. If it did then our coastal settlements would be thriving. They are not.

“This has sent us down a path to try to slow or halt the ever-marching advance of trees into our productive farmland, to help protect what we still have remaining.

“In every dealing we have had with our local and central government representatives we (Feds) have continually pushed for changes to be made to the legislation and this remains one of our highest priorities as a regional executive,” he said.

“Next we had the Government release its Heathy Waterways and winter grazing legislation.

“We had spent considerable time and effort working with the GDC to ensure that our submissions on those proposals complemented each other.

“It was very disappointing to find that much of the submission had been ignored and that the Government thought they knew better,” Mr Williams said.

“We are more fortunate than many of the other regions considering that we have much lower intensity farming. However, we are not immune.

“There are changes being made to this legislation thanks in a large part to the work of Federated Farmers.

“It remains a significant priority but is more of a wait and see approach for our region.”

In his report, Mr Williams noted how dry the region has become in parts.

“We are entering a second year of below average rainfall across the district. Certain parts, especially in the north and west of Gisborne, are showing signs of drought.

“Federated Farmers Gisborne/Wairoa are working with the rural coordination group keeping an eye on the current situation.

“Last year’s drought declaration is still in effect and there is still support available through this,” he said.

“We are working on the next steps and should you or someone you know need support they can contact me or anyone on the executive and we will put them in touch with the people who can help them.”

Mr Williams also said the provincial executive was looking to change up the Hill Country Farmer of the Year competition, won last year by the Rau family at Matawai.

“We are aiming to make it more of a celebration of farming and will introduce some more categories to better recognise those outstanding in our sector in our region,” he said.

“We are also looking at the judging criteria to hopefully strike a better balance between the different farming styles and land types in our region. It is a work in progress and will hopefully deliver some partnerships to help develop more value to our members.”