Federated Farmers Boycott Justified

Federated Farmers executives have taken a principled stand in their decision to boycott the Labour Government's celebration of the signing of the Kyoto Protocol, ACT New Zealand Rural Spokesman Gerry Eckhoff said today.

"Top Federated Farmers executives have refused to attend the signing, despite being bombarded with letters asking them to do so. This is in response to the callous indifference displayed by the Government over farmer and rural concerns - such as the Climate Change Act, but also the impact of the Local Government Amendment Bill Rating Powers Act" said Mr Eckhoff.

"This Government has virtually ignored submissions by Federated Farmers throughout its term - yet, now, Helen Clark expects rural representatives to forgive and forget. Although the Climate Change Bill paved the way for the Government to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, it has resolved few of the questions and issues that farmers have raised.

"This is a brave stance for Federated Farmers and Business New Zealand executives, who now risk entering into the Prime Minister's `bad books'," Mr Eckhoff said.

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