tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46734563402294668412024-02-19T20:10:18.379+13:00OVER THE FENCEHON DAVID CARTER - Minister for Primary Industries & Minister of Local GovernmentDavid Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4673456340229466841.post-4111522634100450542012-06-18T14:32:00.000+12:002012-06-18T14:37:52.557+12:00Fieldays 2012: Another Success!
As the gates closed on the 44th New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays, it was obvious that the biggest event on our farming calendar was another success.
The largest agricultural showcase in the Southern Hemisphere saw over 128,000 visitors flock to Mystery Creek for the four-day event - a nine per cent increase in attendance on last year and a triumph for organisers and exhibitors.
I David Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4673456340229466841.post-78013143249783755212012-03-06T16:36:00.000+13:002012-03-06T16:36:48.468+13:00MAF to become Ministry for Primary IndustriesMAF has changed its name and will now be called the Ministry for Primary Industries – better reflecting the importance of the whole primary sector to New Zealand’s economy.
The Ministry for Primary Industries will encompass all Government work including agricultural, horticultural, fisheries and aquaculture, forestry and food sectors, as well as biosecurity and animal welfare.
The name change David Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4673456340229466841.post-73353865110612249852012-02-16T16:07:00.002+13:002012-02-16T16:08:51.016+13:00Tracing scheme becomes lawThe National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) scheme passed its final reading in Parliament last night. This is a great step to future-proofing New Zealand agriculture.
NAIT is primarily a data recording and collection system which will provide information on livestock, their location and movement history throughout their lifetime.
The scheme needs to be mandatory to effective. With David Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4673456340229466841.post-30870832078390914812012-01-26T13:55:00.001+13:002012-01-26T13:56:14.761+13:00Irrigation Fund’s first project great news for Hawke’s BayThis week’s announcement of the first project as part of the Irrigation Acceleration Fund (IAF) is great news for the Hawke’s Bay region.
The go-ahead for the project delivers on the Government’s promise to lift economic growth through efficient use of water storage.
The Government and the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council will jointly fund a $3.3 million feasibility study of the Ruataniwha Water David Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4673456340229466841.post-40882300444208716412012-01-11T09:27:00.001+13:002012-01-11T09:29:24.978+13:00Wrapping up 20112011 has been an eventful and challenging year. The Canterbury earthquakes and more recently the Nelson floods have highlighted a real sense of community pulling together to get through the hard times. As I’ve said before, in the worst times we see the best of New Zealanders – something we should all be proud of.
Farmers have also faced hard times but the sun god’s are shining at the moment. David Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4673456340229466841.post-2633407811810855162011-09-19T12:00:00.000+12:002011-09-19T12:00:47.065+12:00Irrigation infrastructure investment steps up the paceThe future for New Zealand’s irrigation infrastructure has strengthened with the Irrigation Acceleration Fund now open for business.
Announced as part of Budget 2011, the Irrigation Acceleration Fund provides $35 million over five years to support the development of proposals to the ‘investment ready’ prospectus ready stage.
The development of smart irrigation infrastructure will boost economic David Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4673456340229466841.post-977117252192411152011-09-12T13:56:00.000+12:002011-09-12T13:56:25.273+12:00Canterbury Earthquake: One year on...One year on from the Canterbury earthquakes and few of us can forget the shattering images and the enormous grief suffered by so many people over that time.
As a Christchurch MP, this has been particularly close to home.
In the face of the two major earthquakes and thousands of aftershocks, the province has come a long way since 4 September 2010. There is a lot to do before life is back to David Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4673456340229466841.post-70256208779539201942011-07-11T14:51:00.000+12:002011-07-11T14:51:06.192+12:00Sustainability an investment, not a costThe rising global appetite for sustainable business practices is presenting New Zealand with opportunities that we could only have dreamed of a few years ago.
A recent visit to Italy and the UK showed me that our efforts to capitalise on this are certainly being rewarded.
A key reason for my visit to Italy was to lead the New Zealand delegation to the inaugural Ministerial Meeting of the Global David Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4673456340229466841.post-8174504256737830792011-06-27T12:27:00.001+12:002011-06-27T12:28:35.557+12:00Global sign-off on GHG research effortsI have just had the privilege of representing New Zealand at the first Global Research Alliance Ministerial Summit in Rome. My colleague, International Climate Change Negotiations Minister, Tim Groser chaired the inaugural meeting.
More than 30 countries have now officially signed up to the Alliance which is a global effort, initiated by New Zealand, to research ways of producing more food David Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4673456340229466841.post-26633148717657347602011-06-21T14:52:00.001+12:002011-06-21T14:53:27.704+12:00Travel to Italy and the UKI have spent a lot of time in airports over the past two days.
The journey from Christchurch to Rome is a long one but representing New Zealand at the inaugural Global Research Alliance Ministerial Summit is a real privilege.
While in Rome I will also lead the New Zealand delegation to the 37th meeting of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) where I will deliver New Zealand’s David Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4673456340229466841.post-81936471004814580932011-06-20T13:49:00.001+12:002011-06-20T13:51:18.933+12:002011 Fieldays helps break barriers to productivityAs the 43rd New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays drew to a close, it was obvious that the biggest event on our farming calendar had once again been a huge success.
The four-day rural showcase was a triumph for the organisers, with huge numbers going through the gates of Mystery Creek.
The theme of this year’s Fieldays was ‘Breaking Barriers to Productivity’. This is all about coming up David Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4673456340229466841.post-15319162849873076472011-05-19T16:52:00.000+12:002011-05-19T16:52:05.123+12:00Budget 2011 - Building our futureBudget 2011 builds a stronger platform for growth, sets a credible path to Budget surplus and helps lift national savings. It boosts investment in health, education, and infrastructure including irrigation, while also helping to rebuild Christchurch.
It is a responsible and balanced budget for the times. It takes steps to ensure the Government returns to Budget surplus by 2014/15, so we can David Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4673456340229466841.post-86926808277737234492011-05-17T10:23:00.001+12:002011-05-19T16:53:37.090+12:00Helping to clean up Hawkes BayThe saying ‘many hands make light work’ is being put into practice in Hawkes Bay. Around 48 people, many of whom are currently on benefits, will help to clean up parts of the flood damaged region.
Approximately 120 farms in the Wairoa, Hastings, and Central Hawkes Bay have been affected by the heavy rainfall and flooding and urgently need some extra hands to help with the clean up effort.
David Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4673456340229466841.post-52773618753071729472011-05-10T14:35:00.006+12:002011-05-10T14:40:08.900+12:00A fresh start for fresh waterMy colleague Nick Smith and I joined the Prime Minister yesterday in announcing the Government’s fresh water policy package which will help grow the economy while better caring for our rivers, lakes and aquifers.
The package is the result of at least two years of work by MAF and is designed to expand on the Government’s economic growth agenda.
It includes a $35 million Irrigation Acceleration David Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4673456340229466841.post-31418431033200874512011-05-09T13:47:00.002+12:002011-05-09T13:50:45.233+12:00Beefing up the sectorGreat news with the red meat industry recently announcing its goal to grow the sector from $8 billion to $14 billion by 2025.
The Red Meat Sector Strategy, initiated by Beef + Lamb New Zealand and the Meat Industry Association, is a plan to lift the performance of the meat industry and give it clearer direction.
At the moment there is a real risk that current good returns could create farmer David Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4673456340229466841.post-5717931209295500062011-02-04T14:50:00.002+13:002011-02-07T10:27:31.186+13:00Chatham Islands VisitA two-day trip to the Chatham Islands gave me the chance to see firsthand the challenges facing our most isolated farmers.
And there are unique challenges - not least the need for a regular and reliable shipping service to overcome the uncertainty of getting livestock back to the mainland.
I was joined by Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson and Rangitata MP Jo Goodhew on the trip and our David Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4673456340229466841.post-66551984037143169102010-12-01T16:02:00.001+13:002010-12-01T16:04:58.955+13:00A good day for NZ pigsThe use of sow stalls on New Zealand pig farms will be banned by the end of 2015.
Today I released the Animal Welfare (Pigs) Code of Welfare 2010. The practice of sow stalls is now limited to four weeks after mating in 2012, and prohibited by the end of 2015.
The growing unease of many New Zealanders about the use of sow stalls made it clear that change was necessary.
Worldwide there’s David Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4673456340229466841.post-35623601803731707492010-11-16T14:45:00.003+13:002010-11-23T12:03:19.098+13:00KiwifruitNew Zealand kiwifruit growers are facing challenging times as some battle with the kiwifruit vine disease, Psa.
It is a very serious situation for New Zealand’s billion dollar kiwifruit industry as we know Psa has devastated crops overseas, especially in Italy.
A programme of aggressive containment is the immediate action and the key to this is a collaborative approach between Government and David Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4673456340229466841.post-11341180316374145712010-10-13T15:02:00.000+13:002010-10-13T15:02:22.186+13:00Right royal rendezvousPrince Charles and I have a meeting at Balmoral Estate in Scotland next week where we’ll discuss wool.
The Prince is a champion of the efforts of Commonwealth farmers to grow wool and restore profitability to the sector.
His “Wool Project” mirrors New Zealand’s campaign to get our strong wool industry back on track.
I look forward to discussing with the Prince how to increase demand for wool David Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4673456340229466841.post-19677936873701096862010-09-29T14:11:00.000+13:002010-09-29T14:11:46.817+13:00Pocket moneyNational’s 1 October tax cuts will support our rural communities, local businesses, and the economic recovery.
The tax package is designed to enhance economic growth. It seeks to rebalance the economy towards earnings, savings, and investing, and away from the unsustainable borrowing, consumption, and over-investment in housing of the past decade.
The tax cuts on 1 October will leave the vast David Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4673456340229466841.post-4581296320965527342010-09-15T16:59:00.003+12:002010-09-21T13:36:04.950+12:00Canterbury EarthquakeOne thing the devastating Canterbury earthquake has shown us is that in the worst of times, you see the best of New Zealand. I have spent as much time as possible in the area since the earthquake hit, and the generosity of people pitching in to help their neighbours has been overwhelming.
In true Kiwi spirit, Canterbury farmers have not only been dealing with damage to their own properties, but David Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4673456340229466841.post-40676808905738597742010-08-18T16:58:00.001+12:002010-08-18T17:09:20.465+12:00Green light for growthGreat news yesterday with the announcement of two Primary Growth Partnership projects totalling $321 million dollars that will boost productivity and new products for the dairy and red meat sectors.
The Government's PGP fund is injecting $144 million into the partnerships, with industry funding $177 million. These follow on from programmes already approved for the arable, forestry and fine woolDavid Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4673456340229466841.post-10882615249395011062010-07-28T15:03:00.000+12:002010-07-28T15:03:06.521+12:00Meat matters
Action is needed to revive our flagging meat industry.
Lamb returns in the UK market are at their highest, but our sheep and beef farmers are struggling.
The announcement by the Meat Industry Association and Beef + Lamb New Zealand for a joint strategy to lift the industry’s performance is exactly the sort of action needed.
The Government has thrown its support behind the initiative David Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4673456340229466841.post-52285802747773488362010-06-22T16:36:00.002+12:002010-06-22T16:38:53.558+12:00Success at FieldaysTwo words to sum up the biggest event on our farming calendar – ‘fantastic Fieldays’.
The four-day rural showcase was a triumph for the organisers, with more than 120,000 people going through the gates of Mystery Creek, up from 117,000 last year.
The growing international connection was particularly notable with trade exhibitors from China, France, Italy, Argentina, Chile and the UK amongst David Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4673456340229466841.post-81913396503673433192010-04-07T16:58:00.005+12:002010-04-07T17:05:00.685+12:00How much carbon with your lamb chop?New Zealand lamb is shipped to supermarkets around the world. I saw this first hand at a supermarket in China recently.
The distance from New Zealand to export markets has in the past stirred up the food mile debate, so I was pleased to see the lamb industry’s new carbon footprint study which largely debunks the argument.
The report measured greenhouse gas emissions involved in the production, David Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07166457422706075270noreply@blogger.com0