National leaves farmers in ‘no man’s land’

Finance Minister Bill English and Prime Minister John Key have left farmers in no man’s land with their ‘announcement’ over foreign land sales, says Labour's Agriculture spokesperson Damien OConnor.

Damien O’Connor said Bill English was on record as saying that he wanted to make it easier for foreigners to invest in this country, and John Key apparently agreed “until the Crafar farms disaster forced him to defend New Zealand ownership of farmland.

“The Government’s announcement yesterday will shift the debate from the Overseas Investment Office back to the cabinet with greater ministerial oversight,” Damien O’Connor said.

“I don’t trust the National/Act cabinet to protect our strategic assets such as farmland, whatever pious concerns Bill English uttered yesterday.

“Farmers still face the uncertainty of overseas buyers pushing up the value of land to beyond the price any efficient New Zealand farmer can afford.

“That scenario is not good for the future of farming in New Zealand,” Damien O’Connor said.

“The debate over the sale of farmland is mirrored by concern over foreign investment that threatens to take over our primary sector businesses.

“Control of industry is just as important as control of farmland. It is essential that farmers own the processing and marketing of their production for long-term viability,” Damien O’Connor said. “The just-announced OIO approval of the takeover of Synlait is another step down the slippery slope of foreign investment in dairying, the only significant multinational industry owned by Kiwi farmers.

"There is very little in yesterday’s announcement that offers confidence that New Zealand’s long-term interests will be protected by the National/Act Government’s oversight of foreign investment in agriculture."

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