Tag: Federated Farmers

Address to FFNZ National Council – Dr William Rolleston

Address to FFNZ National Council – Dr William Rolleston

Posted by | Jun 29, 2016 | , , |

Speech – Federated Farmers Members of National Council, ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to be delivering this presidents address to you. Federated Farmers AGM, June 2016 Address to FFNZ National Council – Dr William Rolleston, President Members of National Council, ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to be delivering this president’s address to you. If the Brexit vote in the United Kingdom has taught us anything it is that life is full of the unexpected; that no matter how carefully we plan, circumstances can change in an instant; it has taught us that discontent...

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Another poor GDT result puts $4.60 payout in doubt

Posted by | Jan 20, 2016 | |

Press Release – Federated Farmers Federated Farmers is concerned that Fonterras forecast farmgate payout of $4.60/kg looks increasingly out of reach after this mornings 1.4% drop in the Global Dairy Trade price index. Today’s result follows a 1.6% fall in the first auction of the … 20 January 2016 Another poor GDT result puts $4.60 payout in doubt Federated Farmers is concerned that Fonterra’s forecast farmgate payout of $4.60/kg looks increasingly out of reach after this morning’s 1.4% drop in the Global Dairy Trade price index. Today’s result follows a 1.6% fall in the first auction of the year two weeks ago. “Today’s weak GDT result is disappointing and things are certainly looking much worse in terms of the farmgate milk price. We have just seen Open Country Dairy drop its forecast and this result increases the likelihood Fonterra will do the same,” says Federated Farmers Dairy Chair Andrew Hoggard. “It is still possible that a sudden upswing in prices could get us there, but we’d need to see some very large increases in the next couple of months to reach the $4.60 mark. Even that is a fairly poor payout for most farmers, and falling below that is just going to ramp up the pressure on the dairy industry and those that support it.” But Mr Hoggard is urging farmers to have faith in the GDT model. “This...

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Poll shows farmers expect more tough times in 2016

Posted by | Jan 3, 2016 | , |

Press Release – Federated Farmers Many farmers have weathered difficult conditions in 2015 and the majority see no relief coming in the New Year, according to a poll conducted by Federated Farmers.Poll shows farmers expect more tough times in 2016 Many farmers have weathered difficult conditions in 2015 and the majority see no relief coming in the New Year, according to a poll conducted by Federated Farmers. Over 1,100 members were surveyed in the run up to Christmas, with 52% saying they expect market conditions to stay the same. Only 29% predict improving conditions, with 19% forecasting worse times to come. Confidence is greatest among dairy farmers, who are continuing to battle low milk prices. 41% of the dairy farmers surveyed are forecasting improved market conditions compared with 29% overall, 19% for the meat and fibre industry and 17% among arable farmers. “Despite low interest rates and international wins such as TPP, agreement at the WTO to abolish export subsidies and the prioritisation of food production at the COP21 climate change talks that will deliver long term benefits, 2015 will be remembered as a year of low milk prices and adverse events such as droughts and floods that have impacted farmers’ bottom lines and put New Zealand’s biggest sector under enormous pressure,” says Federated Farmers President Dr William Rolleston. “It is encouraging to see relatively higher levels of optimism...

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Poll shows 83% satisfaction with Key Government in 2015

Posted by | Dec 29, 2015 | , |

Press Release – Federated Farmers A poll from Federated Farmers shows 83% satisfaction with the performance of the National-led government among the countrys farmers.Poll shows 83% satisfaction with Key Government in 2015 A poll from Federated Farmers shows 83% satisfaction with the performance of the National-led government among the country’s farmers. Over 1,100 members were surveyed in the run up to Christmas, with only 17% dissatisfied with the performance of the Key government in 2015. “Farmers generally look for governments to manage the economy well, drive positive change on international trade and make pragmatic decisions in other areas, and that’s exactly what we’ve seen this year from Prime Minister Key and his government,” says Federated Farmers President Dr William Rolleston. “83% satisfaction looks spot on when you look at the level of interest rates and key international wins such as TPP, the Paris Climate Change Talks and the WTO’s recent abolition of export tariffs. These are all good outcomes for farmers and stand to enhance New Zealand’s export earnings for many years to come.” While the new emissions reduction targets and weight of developing country support grabbed the headlines around the Paris Agreement, the signing of COP21 was also a significant outcome for farming with recognition that emissions reductions must be weighed up against the food supply required to feed a rapidly growing global population. “This is recognition we...

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Federated Farmers’ President praises WTO

Posted by | Oct 2, 2015 | , , , , |

Press Release – Federated Farmers The last 20 years of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) have provided an objective framework on which to base our international trade and seen the organisation provide great assistance to small countries like New Zealand.Federated Farmers’ President praises WTO and criticizes those stalling the TPP at Geneva Forum The last 20 years of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) have provided an objective framework on which to base our international trade and seen the organisation provide great assistance to small countries like New Zealand. That was the message from Federated Farmers’ President Dr William Rolleston, Vice President of the World Farmers’ Organisation, in his address overnight to a WTO Public Forum in Geneva. “New Zealand is a small country, which means our political influence bilaterally can be limited. Without WTO rules, disputes are more likely to be settled on bargaining power rather than the evidence,” said Dr Rolleston. “New Zealand supports and values a rules-based multilateral trading system which means that agriculture market access issues can be addressed and there are disciplines around the use of non-tariff trade barriers. The rules-based system has provided New Zealand with the opportunity to trade and the business confidence to invest.” Dr Rolleston also praised WTO Agreements such as the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement, which are based on science and have given New Zealand the tools for market...

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