Farmers regarded Nathan Guy as a pragmatic and knowledgeable Minister for Primary Industries.
The MP for Otaki, who among other roles served two years as Associate Minister of Primary Industries and four as
Minister in the John Key-led government, has announced he will not seek re-election in 2020.
"His door was always open, and he was always level-headed and considered in his dealings with people," Federated Farmers
president Katie Milne said.
"He had his finger firmly on the rural pulse and I always appreciated that you could have free and frank discussions
with him, including occasionally by phone when he was out helping weigh and drench calves. He has real empathy for the
sector and for the wellbeing of rural communities."
When the Land & Water Forum was advocating for what farmers considered overly-ambitious rules on stock exclusion, Guy stood firm and
was realistic about what would work in practice, Milne said.
"Biosecurity was one of his priorities and he began beefing up border security, a task that the current government has
continued."
Former Federated Farmers president William Rolleston said Guy got through the Government Industry Agreement for
Biosecurity Readiness and Response.
"The GIA framework not only puts farmers and growers in the decision-making room but, when dealing with outbreaks such
as Mycoplasma bovis, mitigates the amount of cost that falls on farmers, and ensures exacerbators bear some of the costs
as well.
"He also listened to farmers on climate change and his approach was pragmatic and workable," Rolleston said.
Federated Farmers wishes Guy well in his future endeavours.