ACT Welcomes Insurer's Opposition To Land Access

Friday 26 Nov 2004 Gerry Eckhoff Press Releases -- Rural -- ACT Rural Website

ACT New Zealand Rural Affairs Spokesman Gerry Eckhoff today welcomed the support of one of New Zealand's largest rural insurers behind ACT and Federated Farmers' campaign against Labour's dopey land access proposals.

"FMG marketing manager David Clapperton is absolutely correct to say that the pending legislation will have a huge impact within the farming base," Mr Eckhoff said.

"It's a no-brainer that unfettered public access to private land will increase the risk of theft and threat to rural families and potentially greater landowner liability - both of which will lead to more expensive insurance premiums.

"This additional cost will be yet another hit in the back pocket for farmers. Under this anti-farmer Government, rural New Zealand has been constantly stung by sharp rises in compliance costs and tax hikes.

"Farmers, already struggling to make ends meet, simply want to retain the right to say who may or may not enter their property. The Government, on the other hand, wants to strip farmers of their property rights and increase their costs," Mr Eckhoff said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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