The No 8 Wire: GE Free zones at risk

Federated Farmers president and spokesperson on trade Dr William Rolleston.

GE Free zones from Hawke's Bay to Kaitaia are at risk from the Maori Party's support of the Resource Legislation Amendment Bill (RLA) through to its second reading, according to Jon Carapiet, national spokesman for GE Free NZ.

GE Free NZ members are urging the Maori Party to reconsider their support of the Bill that gives the Minister powers to override local government rules and policies on land use in their regions.

The group said the Resource Management Act allows Councils to place precautionary policies in their plans that will protect GMO-free production and exports, and the RLA would take away councils' authority.

Mr Carapiet said New Zealand has benefited from not adopting GMO agriculture.

World champ coming

Winning a world woolhandling title in familiar conditions is one thing. Travelling halfway around the world and winning one is another thing entirely.

That's the challenge that faces the 2014 World Woolhandling Champion, Hilary Bond of England as she prepares for her title defence at the 2017 World Shearing and Woolhandling Championships at ILT Stadium Southland in Invercargill, New Zealand, in February.

New Zealand has traditionally dominated world woolhandling with the late Joanne Kumeroa and Sheree Alabaster owning the 2000s, sharing three world titles.

More recently, titles have gone to home nations or near neighbours. Wales' Bronwyn Tango won in front of her home crowd in 2010 and Joel Henare in Masterton in 2012.

Hilary Bond came from nowhere to surprise the field, and herself, to claim the title in Gorey, Ireland in 2014.

Free trade agreement

Both the Chinese and New Zealand governments upgrading their free trade agreement will pay dividends for the nation's primary sector.

Federated Farmers president and spokesperson on trade Dr William Rolleston said the review of the now eight-year-old agreement should enhance tariff removal and elimination, particularly on primary sector products such as dairy.

"One of the keys to the success of this agreement has been the determination by our negotiators to focus on non-tariff trade barriers, which can often be as costly as tariffs.

We support the determination of our Trade Minister and his officials to keep working on improving this agreement. It can only be good for New Zealand's economy," Dr Rolleston said.

Offers of help

More than a week out from the 7.8 earthquake, offers of help logged with the Federated Farmers 0800 FARMING line have topped 300.

The Feds have also had teams on the ground and in the air reaching farms at the end of long and winding roads all over North Canterbury and Marlborough.

The Adverse Events Trust Fund was reactivated mid-week and more than $21,000 has been received.

One $10,000 donation came from a farmer with emergency supplies, farm equipment, essential tools and materials.

Offers of help out-number requests for assistance 10 to one, underlining the willingness of New Zealand's farming community to help colleagues.

The line is open for help offers/requests, and to donate to the Adverse Events Trust Fund, or bank online: 06-0594-0028181-00, Reference: Earthquake.