Government must focus on maintaining land’s productive capacity
Moves by the Government to protect highly productive land must focus on maintaining the productive capacity of that land.
‘We need a national policy that ensures New Zealand can grow enough vegetables and fruit to feed itself, now and in the future, and at affordable prices,’ says HortNZ Chief Executive, Mike Chapman.
‘That’s why we support the Government’s action to protect highly productive land. However, policy makers must also remember that the land itself is only one factor in vegetable and fruit growing.
‘Growers also need access to water for irrigation, they need to be able to apply sufficient fertiliser, and they need to be able to operate machinery like frost fans and infrastructure like packhouses, 24/7 depending on the time of the year.
‘If for any reason, growers cannot do this, they need to have the option to use the land for other purposes.’ Read the full media release here.
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