Media Release
9 June 2009

Farmers to tell U.S. and the EU what they think, “what they really, really think”

Farmers are being invited by Federated Farmers to ‘talk back’ to the U.S. and the EU at the Fieldays and get up to date information about district, regional and national issues impacting their farm businesses.

“We’ve got a lot on our plate right now, hence Frank Brenmuhl and I are at the Cairns Group meeting in Indonesia fighting for trade access. Someone has to tell the story of New Zealand’s farmers and we’re pleased to have that role,” said Don Nicolson, Federated Farmers President.

“Right now, we’re locking horns with European Union and United States farm lobbyists. Our opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal yesterday was a good start, but we wish to do more in that space, a lot more.

“That’s why we need farmers to join us. We’re a membership organisation at the end of the day and as Tom Wolfe wrote, ‘no bucks, no Buck Rogers.’

“That’s why we’re inviting all farmers to sign an open letter to President Barack Obama and the President of the European Commission, JoséManuel Barroso. We’ll tell them what you think, what you really, really think of their subsidies.

“Federated Farmers Board members, policy advisers and other staff will be on hand to explain the myriad of things Federated Farmers does to mitigate or eliminate on-farm costs.

“So all we ask of farmers is to head along to Stand PE2 to see what we are up to and how easy it is to join Federated Farmers,” Mr Nicolson concluded.

TELL THE EU AND THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THEIR SUBSIDIES AT STAND PE2

All visitors to the Federation’s stand (PE2) are invited to sign an open letter to President Barack Obama and the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso.

TALK SHOP WITH STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS AT STAND PE2

Dr Paul Le Miere (North Island local policy team leader) will be one of three local policy experts working on the stand between Wednesday and Friday. National Board members Philip York (Wednesday to Saturday), Lachlan McKenize (Wednesday and Saturday) and Bruce Wills (Friday) will also be attending. The Federated Farmers’ member services team and David Broome (General Manager of Strategic Communications), will also be working on the stand.

MEET THE BEST OF THE DAIRY INDUSTRY’S BEST AT STAND PE2

Winners from the 2009 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards will be on the Federated Farmers stand (PE2) to share their knowledge and experience on Wednesday and Thursday from midday to 1pm.

GET A FEDERATED FARMERS PASSPORT AT STAND PE2 AND GET GREAT DEALS

People attending the Fieldays are being invited to complete a Federated Farmers passport to go into a draw for thousands of dollars of great gear and services from Open Polytechnic, Southern Cross Healthcare, Resene, NZ Safety and, of course, Federated Farmers. Passports will be available from Stand PE2

GET A GREAT DEAL ON A MEMBERSHIP FROM STAND PE2

Federated Farmers has cooked up some great deals on membership at the Fieldays, so non-members are invited to find out more.

ENDS

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