Ministers due in town with NZ-wide roadshow

The coalition Government’s agriculture ministers, from left, Todd McClay, Mark Patterson and Andrew Hoggard will be in Gisborne and Tolaga Bay next month. File pictures

The coalition Government’s agriculture ministers started their national woolshed roadshow in the Wairarapa earlier this week and they will be in Gisborne and Tolaga Bay next month.

Agriculture Minister Todd McClay said it has been a tough time for farmers over the past few years.

“The sector has faced high domestic inflation rates, high interest rates, adverse weather events, and increasing farm input costs.

“The immediate priority for the  Government is relieving the pressure that farmers have been feeling coming from the unworkable central government policies,” he said.

“That is why we are getting out on the road to hear directly from farmers.”

Mr McClay said the sector makes a critically important contribution to the fabric of rural and regional communities.

“New Zealand’s food and fibre sector is the backbone of our economy, contributing over 80 percent of our goods exports to feed an estimated 40 million people worldwide.

“A strong and thriving agricultural sector  is crucial to the New Zealand economy,” Mr McClay said.

Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard said addressing unworkable and overly prescriptive regulation, so that farmers can focus on being the most efficient food and fibre producers in the world, was a Government priority.

“These meetings will be a great opportunity to talk directly with farmers about issues affecting them the most.

“I understand the importance of listening and staying connected to rural communities, as it helps government determine the direction of travel,” he said.

Associate Agriculture and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson said that under his delegation as Minister responsible for wool he was working with farmers to rebuild the wool industry into a stronger and more resilient industry.

“Sheep farmers are facing a particularly hard time with the oversupply of Australian lamb flooding the market and driving prices down.

“Sheep farmers have long been the backbone of New Zealand’s farming communities and we need to get in behind and support them.

“It has been a tough season for farmers, so we will be engaging with people from Northland to Southland meeting in woolsheds to discuss grassroots solutions,” Mr Patterson said.

The roadshow comes to Gisborne on May 13, and to Tolaga Bay on May 14.