MP CRITICAL OF APPOINTMENT
The environmentalist who started a campaign about winter grazing in Southland has been named on a Government taskforce to respond to the animal welfare issues associated with the practice.
Angus Robson used photos of cows standing in mud in his campaign, and called on Environment Southland chief executive Rob Phillips to resign over the damage winter grazing was doing to Southland waterways and to animal welfare.
Robson’s appointment to the taskforce has ‘‘concerned’’ Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker, who says Robson is ‘‘simultaneously orchestrating a campaign to end winter grazing’’, and he says ‘‘only a few farmers have been appointed’’.
‘‘I would expect there would be a range of diverse views around the table but this is at the extreme end of the scale.’’
However, Robson said he ‘‘probably knew more about winter cropping than anyone around the table.
‘‘I’ve been talking to MPI [the Ministry for Primary Industries] for three years about this. I’ve had a lot of phone calls and emails and discussions with them about what they should do and
what they shouldn’t do and what they could do.
‘‘Hamish doesn’t know me or anything that I’ve done in this space, and he hasn’t bothered to find out. Any time I’ve been working in this space I’ve contacted industry professionals but I haven’t contacted him because I don’t think he would have much to say. He seems content to leave us all in the dark ages.’’
The taskforce was named by Agriculture minister Damien O’Connor on Sunday and includes Robson, as well as representatives from the SPCA, NZ Veterinary Association, AgResearch, Dairy NZ, Beef+Lamb NZ, an independent chairperson and two farmers – including Southland dairy farmer Ewen Mathieson.
O’Connor said the taskforce would draw on advice and expertise from various groups and individuals across the country who can ‘‘inform and challenge the taskforce’s thinking’’.
‘‘My expectation of this group is to do a stocktake of the multiple initiatives that are already under way to promote good winter grazing practices and identify why these are not currently working for all. Then we need to come up with actions as to how we can get farmers where they should be.’’
Walker, who has previously said the taskforce was ‘‘more money down the drain’’, said he hoped those around the table were willing to listen to farmers and work with them in improving winter grazing practices.
‘‘Farmers are the first people to put their hands up and say winter grazing practices are not perfect and we need to do some things better.’’
Some Southland farmers accused Robson and his campaigners of taking photos of cows in mud straight after a rain event, and of using drones above their properties to take photos without permission. They in turn held a ‘‘barbecue’’ at the end of the driveway of the house where the environmentalists were staying.
The campaign led dairy farmer Jason Herrick, who confronted two environmentalists taking photos of his stock, to band with other farmers to form AgProud NZ, a group focussing on good farming practices and the mental health of farmers.
Herrick said he was surprised Robson had been appointed to the taskforce.
‘‘AgProud is all about positivity but I guess its good to have a negative voice in there to provide some balance. We hope commonsense will prevail.’’
The working group will provide an initial report back to the Minister by the end of August and will work on a plan of action by the end of September.
‘‘I would expect there would be a range of diverse views around the table but this is at the extreme end of the scale.’’ Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker