Vegetables NZ met with government representatives in Wellington this week to promote a bipartisan approach to commercial vegetable production.
The organisation attended Business NZ's 25th anniversary event at Parliament, where the Prime Minister reaffirmed the government's focus on "fixing the basics and building a future." At the event, the Prime Minister also announced that further Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms will be introduced before Christmas. For the vegetable sector, the reforms could support recognition of commercial vegetable growing as a permitted activity under a freshwater farm plan.
Later in the week, Vegetables NZ met with Green MP Scott Willis to discuss the energy requirements of greenhouse growers and the need for a coordinated, long-term national energy strategy. The organisation also raised the issue of reinvesting Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) funds into the industry to assist with fuel transitions.
"Our message was simple," said Vegetables NZ Chair John Murphy. "Fresh, healthy food for New Zealanders should be a cornerstone of all government policy, no matter who's in power."
© Vegetables NZFor more information:
Vegetables NZ
Tel: +64 21 021 62021
Email: [email protected]
www.freshvegetables.co.nz
