Beware ‘flawed thinking’ on farming and climate
GROUNDSWELL New Zealand is a great thing.
The tourism industry also feeds people, and slows the nation’s traffic with slow vehicles. We too supply overpriced food (and red meat), but we do pamper you with eateries and services like accommodation, and bring in the overseas dollars for our economy.
But, unlike farmers, we are not having business as usual and are not likely to drive convoys of slow campervans and tour coaches into the city centres to express our anger at the universe for being unfair.
After this virus is done with us, we still have a climate disaster to deal with and it really is everyone's problem. Our governments are going to have to cut waste to zero if we want a fighting chance, so let’s not speed up our demise by flawed thinking.
I can tell you now the beleaguered public is not the enemy.
Manapouri
ALMOST 20 years ago Federated Farmers promoted the effective, but misleading, sound bite of a ‘‘fart tax’’ to thwart government measures to manage methane emissions and start countering climate change.
That was clever and effective politicking, but the delay has possibly doubled the cost we, including farmers, will now have to pay to counter rising climate change costs.
Today they are at it again, protesting water quality measures proposed by the Government. Just what measures are unreasonable is not specified. One proposal is to limit the application of artificial nitrogen fertiliser to 190kg per hectare — and that is on top of concentrated urine discharges.
The huge majority of farmers would never use that much fertiliser, trashing our land and water resources. These proposed limits target only the laggards of the farming industry or those who have overintensified.
The longer we put off cleaning up our water, the more it will eventually cost us. Misleading and shallow politicking by industry leaders is doing a disservice to the host of good farmers who do care about water quality.
I READ with interest the howls of condemnation and consternation (Letters, 21.7.21) regarding the relative value of tractors and utes on display during recent protests held around the country.
Some writers have remarked that farmers can’t be doing too badly, judging by the value and standard of the machinery on display.
What bollocks! These hightech, fuel efficient/low emission tractors are likely to be leased or purchased on a loan basis via banks and finance companies. Farms are businesses, no different to transport, aviation or manufacturing operations, where plant is leased in the same way.
How naive to assume one’s wealth based on the machinery on display.
Modern tractors and equipment have enabled more efficient farming practices to be the norm. New Zealand farmers should be acknowledged and praised for their innovative and proactive approach to their trade.
Rainbow crossing
I SUPPORT the proposed Barnes Dance rainbow crossing for the lower Stuart St/Moray Pl intersection, but only if it is a collaboration of the businesses that pay for the materials and, under professional guidance, paint the crossing. Surely the supporting business’ operators would gain experience, a great achievement for their efforts and their message to the community.
OBHS Reunion
Tauranga
Cromwell
Brockville
Otago Boys' High School Hostel: 150th celebrations, Labour Weekend, October 2324. Register before July 30: reunion@obhs.school.nz or inquiries: (03) 4775527.