Farmers Will Work With Anderton

Federated Farmers congratulates ministers on their appointment to the new Cabinet and looks forward to working with them on important issues facing agriculture and farming, said Charlie Pedersen, President of Federated Farmers of New Zealand.

"Farmers will be pleased that the importance of agriculture to the New Zealand economy has been recognised by the Prime Minister in her appointment of Jim Anderton as Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Biosecurity," Mr Pedersen said. Mr Anderton is ranked third in Cabinet. Federated Farmers will work positively and constructively with Mr Anderton.

"Although Mr Anderton is from an urban electorate he knows the importance of farming to the economic development of New Zealand, and will advocate strongly for its best interests.

"I also welcome the impending appointment of Phil Goff as Minister of Trade Negotiations, taking over the good work of Jim Sutton after December's crucial WTO meeting in Hong Kong.

"I would like to pay tribute to Jim Sutton for his contribution to agriculture and trade. Although more recently we strongly disagreed on the government's public access proposals, over the years Jim has been a champion of trade liberalisation. I look forward to working with him in the lead up to the Hong Kong meeting," said Mr Pedersen.

"With the many changes in portfolios, Federated Farmers will be working hard over the coming weeks to ensure that new and existing ministers in other important portfolios for farming are aware of the issues that are critically important to our members," Mr Pedersen said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media