All part of a strategic takeover plan?

What if the low dairy payout is part of a strategic takeover plan by a major international trading partner? All it would need to do would be to purchase our milk products in huge quantities, and stockpile them, to dramatically drive prices up and turn New Zealand into a ‘‘dairy country’’, then stop buying, leaving the industry with so much debt that there is a major sell-off of dairy farms. The final part of that strategy would be for that country to then purchase those dairy farms at rockbottom prices, establishing an everincreasing ownership of New Zealand farms, from which it can then export dairy products to its own countries from its own New Zealand farms. After the purchase of such farms the dairy price would, of course, rise dramatically.

The Government needs to wake up to what could happen and ensure we retain ownership of our land. We should also realise that it would be better to focus on markets with a view to what is best for our land – that is, growing high quality produce (GM-free, and as organic as possible) that doesn’t destroy the water and the soil.

Income is only part of the equation. We are guardians of this land. Of course, farmers need to make a profit, but looking after the land and growing high quality produce attracts premium prices and more discerning, expanding export markets.

We are never going to compete on quantity, but we can compete on quality. It’s a perfect fit for our small country and would benefit our environment.

We need to recalibrate our moral compass as a country and honour the spiritual nature of this land, for this will pay dividends for all generations.

If our politicians don’t know this, then we need to enlighten them.