Agriculture Archived
Release

Agriculture Minister David Carter has welcomed today’s announcement of another successful Primary Growth Partnership bid which lifts the total funding awarded to nearly $500 million.

The Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) is to fund half of a $19.5 million programme led by Ballance Agri-Nutrients to transform traditional fertiliser use, as well as reduce nitrate run-off on dairy farms.

David Carter Agriculture
Release

Planning for New Zealand’s irrigation infrastructure steps up the pace with the Irrigation Acceleration Fund now open for business, says Agriculture Minister David Carter.

The Irrigation Acceleration Fund was announced in this year’s Budget and provides $35 million over five years to support the development of proposals to the ‘investment ready’ prospectus stage. 

David Carter Agriculture
Release

The Land and Water Forum has been engaged by the Government to progress the next stage of policy work on setting limits on water quality, quantity and allocation, Environment Minister Nick Smith and Agriculture Minister David Carter announced today.

Nick Smith David Carter Agriculture Environment
Speech

When I spoke to you 12 months ago there was quite a lot of despondency within the industry. There were calls for greater unity and greater cooperation.

It is, therefore, good to see both the Meat Industry Association and Beef and Lamb New Zealand hosting this conference together. It sends a clear signal to your industry that better collaboration is real and not rhetoric.

David Carter Agriculture
Release

A government fund that supports community-led growth and innovation in the rural sector has been widened to include aquaculture.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) will now consider applications for projects that support economic and environmental performance in the marine and land-based aquaculture sector.

David Carter Phil Heatley Agriculture Fisheries and Aquaculture
Speech

It’s a pleasure to be here tonight to formally launch the New Zealand Poplar and Willow Research Trust.

Can I take this opportunity to publicly congratulate Bruce Wills on his appointment as President of Federated Farmers. Bruce, I look forward to working with you in your new role.

Can I also acknowledge Grant and Bernie Weller from the Waimea Valley in Southland – this year’s Ballance Farm Environment Award National winners, who are here tonight.

David Carter Agriculture
Speech

(Note: Owing to bad weather closing Christchurch Airport, Hon David Carter’s speech was delivered by Simon Bridges, MP for Tauranga)

It’s a pleasure to be here to open Horticulture New Zealand’s annual conference.

I’d like to acknowledge the directors of Horticulture New Zealand, growers and supporters of the horticulture industry.

Your theme this year is Capturing Value, Creating Profit.

David Carter Agriculture
Release

Consultation on the rules by which independent milk processors can access raw milk from Fonterra is now underway, Agriculture Minister David Carter announced today.

The Raw Milk Regulations form a key part of the decade-old dairy industry regulatory regime.

“The Government’s goal is to promote fair and efficient dairy markets in New Zealand and after 10 years, it’s timely to revisit the raw milk regulations,” says Mr Carter.

David Carter Agriculture
Release

France and New Zealand working together for a more sustainable agriculture

Bruno Le Maire, French Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries, Rural Affairs and Town and Country Planning and New Zealand Agriculture Minister David Carter, welcome the signing by 31 countries of the Charter for the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases in Rome on 24 June.

David Carter Agriculture
Speech

Mr Chairman, Secretary-General, distinguished delegates.

Firstly, I would like to convey New Zealand’s warmest congratulations to José Graziano da Silva for his successful election to Director-General. New Zealand looks forward to working closely and constructively with him.

The election of a new Director-General could not have come at a more important time for FAO.

David Carter Agriculture
Release

New Zealand is establishing a competitive international NZ$25 million fund to support research on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from pastoral farming.

Agriculture Minister David Carter will today announce the New Zealand Fund for Global Partnerships in Livestock Emissions Research at the inaugural ministerial meeting of the Global Research Alliance in Rome.

The fund draws on the $45 million New Zealand committed to the Alliance in 2009, and it will be allocated over four years.

David Carter Agriculture
Release

More than 30 countries will today officially sign up to the New Zealand-led Global Research Alliance on agricultural greenhouse gases at a Ministerial Summit in Rome.

The Alliance brings together countries with a mutual interest in researching ways to produce more food while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The inaugural ministerial meeting to formally approve the Charter, or working methods of the Alliance, will be chaired by International Climate Change Negotiations Minister, Tim Groser.  Agriculture Minister David Carter leads the New Zealand delegation. 

David Carter Tim Groser Agriculture International Climate Change Negotiations
Release

Agriculture and Economic Development Minister David Carter will represent New Zealand at the inaugural Global Research Alliance Ministerial Summit in Rome next week, and travel to Milan and London.

While in Rome, Mr Carter will also lead the New Zealand delegation to the 37th meeting of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) where he will deliver New Zealand’s Ministerial Statement and participate in the election of the new Director-General of the FAO.

David Carter Agriculture Economic Development
Release

Agriculture Minister David Carter has today announced steps to further improve New Zealand’s animal welfare system.

An advisory group is being formed to oversee the development of a national animal welfare strategy, to feed into a review of the Animal Welfare Act.

"New Zealand has one of the best animal welfare systems in the world, but we are always looking at improvement. The Act is now more than a decade old and needs to reflect changing practices and attitudes," says Mr Carter.

David Carter Agriculture
Speech

Welcome to Christchurch.

For many of you, this is probably the first time you have been here since the two earthquakes. I’m sure you have seen for yourselves some of the damage to our city as you made your way here today.

Being Christchurch born and bred, this has been a distressing and challenging time. But the way all New Zealanders have joined together to help Canterbury through these tough times has been truly humbling.

David Carter Agriculture
Release

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett and Agriculture Minister David Carter have activated Enhanced Taskforce Green to clean up parts of Hawkes Bay recently damaged by severe flooding.

“This means around 48 people, many of whom are currently on benefits, will get to work helping clear debris and repair damage to property,” says Ms Bennett.

“Around 120 farms in the Wairoa, Hastings and Central Hawkes Bay area are affected and urgently need some extra hands to do the work,” says Mr Carter.

David Carter Paula Bennett Agriculture Social Development and Employment
Release

A successful bid by a Manuka honey industry consortium for Primary Growth Partnership funding is a sign the industry has the potential to grow significantly, says Agriculture Minister David Carter.

The Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) is to fund half of a $1.7 million research programme proposed by the consortium to increase the reliability of supply and volume of medical grade Manuka honey.

David Carter Agriculture
Release

The Government has agreed to a forward work programme on water reform that will involve the Land and Water Forum, iwi and ongoing analysis by officials, Environment Minister Nick Smith, Agriculture Minister David Carter and Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples say.

Nick Smith David Carter Pita Sharples Agriculture Environment Maori Affairs Budget 2011
Release

Agriculture Minister David Carter today announced an expanded irrigation fund to support the development of new water harvesting, storage and distribution infrastructure.

Budget 2011 will allocate $35 million over five years for the Irrigation Acceleration Fund, to support the development of irrigation infrastructure proposals to the ‘investment-ready’ prospectus stage.

David Carter Agriculture Budget 2011
Release

Environment Minister Nick Smith and Agriculture Minister David Carter today announced the Government's fresh water policy package saying improved water management is needed to grow the economy while better caring for our rivers, lakes and aquifers.

“This balanced package is about getting the right rules and funding in place to support irrigation development and economic growth, while ensuring protection of the environment,” the Ministers said.

Nick Smith David Carter Agriculture Environment Budget 2011

Nick Smith David Carter Agriculture Environment Budget 2011
Speech

The Christchurch earthquake – while a poignant reminder of the fragility of human life – also highlighted how well a small country like ours can rally around to respond to such a catastrophic event.

Fonterra was quickly at the forefront of this response, contributing much-needed drinking water, as well as a very substantial donation to the relief and recovery effort.

As a Cantabrian, I want to personally thank you for that.

David Carter Agriculture
Release

Agriculture Minister David Carter has announced that farmers hit by the severe storm in Hawke’s Bay are to get assistance from the Government.

Pasture loss and damage to farm infrastructure is serious enough to declare a medium-level adverse event in the area, triggering government relief measures.

David Carter Agriculture
Release

Two reports to guide the Government’s work in unlocking the potential of Maori agribusiness have been released by Agriculture Minister David Carter and Maori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples.

“The Government has identified Maori agribusiness as a key priority and these reports support our work in targeting opportunities to lift the productivity of Maori land and agribusiness,” says Mr Carter.

David Carter Pita Sharples Agriculture Maori Affairs