RAM - Residents Action Movement
Election InfoLine 27.9.07

Helping farmers with foodbowl differential

"RAM is promoting a foodbowl rating differential which will give financial incentives to working farmers in Manukau, Franklin, Papakura and Rodney," said Grant Morgan, organiser of RAM - Residents Action Movement.

"A foodbowl differential would mean farmers paying a lower rate in the dollar on their regional council rates, so they are not taxed into exile. In the interests of ecological balance, farms must be brought back into cities, not forced further away," said Grant Morgan, who is a RAM candidate for the ARC in Manukau City.

Kim Myhill, RAM's candidate for the ARC in Franklin-Papakura, has flagged this policy with the local branch of Federated Farmers.

"The initial reaction to our foodbowl differential has been positive," said Kim Myhill. "Now RAM is looking to hold substantive discussions with the Franklin-Papakura branch of Federated Farmers, who also cover Manukau City's farmers,"

For your information, the section in the RAM Manifesto dealing with a foodbowl differential is reprinted below:

FARMS IN CITIES

The market is divorcing urban from rural life. Our foodbowls are being priced beyond city boundaries, a trend which will have dire consequences as we face peak oil and climate change. As a first step towards restoring an urban-rural balance, RAM is promoting a foodbowl differential. That would mean working farmers paying a lower rate in the dollar to councils so they are not taxed into exile.

The RAM Team is standing for 27 positions on the Auckland Regional Council, Auckland City Council and Community Boards, and the region's three District Health Boards.

RAM blog - www.ram-auckland.net  
Features profiles of all RAM candidates

ends

© Scoop Media