Sutton's Federated Farmers Attack Outrageous

Wednesday 27 Oct 2004

Gerry Eckhoff - Press Releases - Rural

Rural Affairs Minister Jim Sutton's vitriolic attack on Federated Farmers, simply because of its opposition to Labour's land access proposals, is outrageous, and proves he no longer has empathy for the farming community he purports to represent, ACT New Zealand Rural Affairs Spokesman Gerry Eckhoff said today.

"Mr Sutton's irrational outburst in Dunedin yesterday, accusing Federated Farmers of campaigning against the Government, was nothing short of disgraceful - not that his latest attack should come as any surprise to anyone involved in the rural sector," Mr Eckhoff said.

"The Minister has long since abandoned his advocacy role on behalf of farmers in favour of the pretentious inner circle of Prime Minister Helen Clark's clique. He has totally failed to listen to the legitimate concerns of farmers and rural landowners over the land access issue.

"I can recall no Rural Affairs Minister in my 30 years of farming experience who has managed to alienate farmers, landowners and farmer organisations like Mr Sutton has in his five years as a Minister. His legacy will be one of abandonment of his Ministerial responsibilities," Mr Eckhoff said.

ENDS

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