Agriculture - The Cornerstone of Strong Rural Communities
United Future New Zealand recognises the importance of primary industries to the security and prosperity of New Zealand. At a time when there are strong opportunities in the international marketplace, the importance of strong, resilient and responsive primary industries is paramount. They must be nurtured so the opportunity for diversification and added value is identified and encouraged.
Our policy is more than just an economic prescription for our primary industries. It is about ensuring that the often neglected rural communities receive fair and reasonable access to educational and health services.
United Future will:
- Support the family farm concept
- Strengthen the Biosecurity Act to provide greater border protection and enhance New Zealand's clean green image, and in doing so, take advantage of new overseas marketing opportunities
- Actively support the role of research and development into the sustainability of primary industries and the ongoing development of new niche industries
- Ensure majority New Zealand ownership of agricultural land
- Strengthen the ability of the Overseas Investment Commission to protect the interests of Kiwi landowners, particularly farmers
- Recognise and support the diverse needs of rural communities, including access to health, education, emergency, transport and social services
- Emphasise community-based programmes, together with contestable regional development, to assist the revitalisation of rural communities
- Promote a strong and viable economic policy framework to underpin the role of primary industries as our major export earners
- Recognise and support the need for reforms and initiatives in particular industries, such as in the wool sector
- Ensure there are clear net benefits to New Zealand before taking unilateral action to open our markets.
- Devise national policies on sustainable land management and the conservation of indigenous bio-diversity
- Actively promote research into control of damaging weed species such as hieracium
- Introduce intensive opossum eradication policies to protect forests, and introduce greater monitoring of other forest pests, weeds and diseases
- Introduce a livestock taxation regime in line with the present forestry industry tax system, and encourage innovative methods of improving livestock breeding and production
- Incorporate industry perspectives into any new initiatives
United Future Parliamentary Office: Bowen House, Lambton Quay, Wellington
Email: Phone: (04) 471 9890
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