Food and Fibre Minister John Luxton said today that the Green's Agricultural policy released today reflected their extreme views and showed how out of touch they were with the agricultural sector.

"If their policies were adopted many farmers would be driven from the land and those remaining would face an escalation of on farm costs. National's policies over the last nine years have been directed at reducing farmers' costs to improve their profitability", Mr Luxton said.

"National's existing policies are already committed to sustainable agriculture, ensuring the maintenance of biosecurity and increasing the diversification of New Zealand farming. The Greens are not saying anything new in advocating these policies.

"National has welcomed new farming systems such as organic farming which can enhance returns for some products. These are, and should be, market driven not imposed by Government.

"National is committed to the humane treatment of animals. The new Animal Welfare Act ensures animals, including farm animals, are treated humanely and that new farming practices are encouraged.

"A vote for the Greens would see a return to the over-regulated economy that National has strived so hard to reduce. It would be the death knell of New Zealand farming," Mr Luxton concluded.

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>