Goff, Carter and Key to face farmers in Invercargill

With Federated Farmers National Conference coming up between 23 and 25 June in Invercargill, farmers are being asked to register with Federated Farmers in order to hear senior politicians pitch to farmers.



“With some 17 months until the 2011 General Election, it’s time for farmers to scrutinise the direction that agriculture and New Zealand is taking,” says Don Nicolson, Federated Farmers President.



“With the Emissions Trading Scheme, National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) as well as rising fees and charges, there’s lot of questions that need to be answered. I think this is a unique assembly of senior politicians in the Deep South.



“Clearly we want a big turn out of farmers, in addition to the Federation’s elected members who will be assembling in Invercargill.



“There are many ways to participate, these includes the separate meat and fibre and dairy industry group day on 23 June. The Plenary Day, on 24 June, where the Minister of Agriculture and Leader of the Opposition will be speaking and the Prime Minister’s luncheon on Friday, 25 June.



“Day attendance options can be discussed with our helpful 0800 team on 0800 327 646 (0800 FARMING).



“This conference’s theme is ‘challenges, opportunities, success’ and doesn’t that sum up the state of agriculture in New Zealand right now?



“We have a mass of challenges but it’s these politicians who hold the keys to unlocking the opportunities Federated Farmers knows will lead to greater success for farming and New Zealand as a whole.



“Federated Farmers helps manage farmers considerable off farm risks, locally and regionally as well as nationally and even internationally. This conference is important for farmers because it’s an opportunity to understand what those drivers are,” Mr Nicolson concluded.



Day one highlights – 23 June 2010:

· Sir Henry van der Heyden – Fonterra Cooperative Chair

· Prof Caroline Saunders – Lincoln University’s Director of Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit

· Keith Cooper – Silver Fern Farms Chief Executive



Day two highlights – 24 June 2010:

· Hon Phil Goff MP – Leader of the Opposition

· Bruce Sheppard – Shareholders Association Chair (and FMA member)

· Tim Gibson – former Chief Executive of New Zealand Trade & Enterprise

· Rodney Jones – Economist

· Dr Paul Le Miere – Federated Farmers North Island Team Leader for Local Policy
· Rod Drury – Executive Director of Xero

· Rod Inglis – Chairman of Woosh Wireless

· Hon David Carter – Minister of Agriculture

· His Excellency, David Huebner – Ambassador of the United States of America

· Don Elder – Chief Executive Officer of Solid Energy

· Conor English – Federated Farmers Chief Executive



Day three highlights (includes Prime Minister’s luncheon) – 25 June 2010:

· Don Nicolson – President of Federated Farmers

· Hon John Key MP – Prime Minister of New Zealand



Venue:

Ascot Park Hotel (cnr. Tay Street and Racecourse Road, Invercargill 9810), For a location map please click here