Farmers are criticising the Ministry for Primary Industries' (MPI) "chaotic" response to the Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) outbreak, saying if things don't improve then heads should roll. In a letter leaked to Newshub, distressed farmers have accused MPI of grossly overspending, with one case allegedly showing $13,000 spent on cleaning one tractor. Fears changes to NAIT could be too little too late to stop Mycoplasma bovis Vets block slaughter of pregnant cows in Mycoplasma bovis response The letter from Mid-Canterbury Federated Farmers to Primary Industries Minister Damien O'Connor paints a shambolic picture of the M. bovis response, which farmers are labelling an "absolutely bloody disgrace". While Mr O'Connor agreed many of the issues raised in the letter were legitimate, MPI's director of response Geoff Gwyn apparently dismissed the letter and called it a "sh*t-o-gram", according to Michael Salvesen, the President of Mid-Canterbury Federated Farmers. "It was a pretty rude … [Read more...] about Farmers slam MPI’s response to Mycoplasma bovis as an ‘absolutely bloody disgrace’
Politics
Kezia Dugdale to face £25k court grilling in defamation rap hearing
Kezia Dugdale has been forced to fight a £25,000 defamation case after a sheriff paved the way for a full hearing over remarks made by the MSP. The ex-Scottish Labour leader will face a courtroom cross-examination over claims she defamed a pro-independence blogger by accusing him of sending a homophobic tweet. The Lothian MSP is being sued by Stuart Campbell, who runs the Wings Over Scotland website, over an article she wrote in her Record column last March. She commented on a tweet by Campbell about Tory MSP Oliver Mundell, whose father, the Scottish Secretary David Mundell, came out as gay in 2016. It said: “Oliver Mundell is the sort of public speaker that makes you wish his dad had embraced his homosexuality sooner.” Kezia wrote that she was “shocked and appalled to see a pro-independence blogger’s homophobic tweets”. Her lawyers argued the remarks were “fair comment” under defamation laws, but were last night poring over a written … [Read more...] about Kezia Dugdale to face £25k court grilling in defamation rap hearing
Chinese FM: Cooperation with Tehran will further improve
Chinese FM: Cooperation with Tehran will further improve Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif reaffirmed support for the JCPOA, saying that Beijing is keen on boosting ties with Tehran, IRNA news agency reported. Wang described the JCPOA as a major multilateral achievement benefiting international community. Follow Trend on Telegram. Only most interesting and important news … [Read more...] about Chinese FM: Cooperation with Tehran will further improve
Green Party wants review of selling water access to overseas buyers
The Green Party wants the Government to look into stronger tests for selling land involving water takes to overseas buyers. Co-leader Marama Davidson has announced the Government will consider whether to allow the "benefits to New Zealand" criteria for sales to include water extraction, in amendments to the Overseas Investment Act. "I'm stoked to announce today that the review of the Overseas Investment Act will now look at putting the protection of water at the heart of decision-making," Ms Davidson said in her speech to party members at the Green Party annual conference on Saturday. "Changing the law and making water extraction one of the issues to be considered when overseas corporates apply to buy rural land would ensure that this and future governments recognise that water is ours, and that it's a vital natural asset." Ms Davidson said the Greens have secured a commitment that the review of the Overseas Investment Act will consider whether water extraction should be a factor when … [Read more...] about Green Party wants review of selling water access to overseas buyers
Welfare has to rise next year, says O’Dea
The former minister has already said he wants to see payments like the old age pension increase by €5. But he claims Fine Gael is trying to create a narrative whereby Ireland is seen as a welfare nation. He was reacting to the publication of the report from the Department of Finance, which claims almost every person benefits from some form of social welfare. It argued the country is "overly dependent on monetary social transfers". But Mr O'Dea told the Irish Independent that "the mandarins" fail to recognise current payment rates are "not impacting on poverty levels". He recently obtained figures from the Department of Social Protection which show that the "severe material deprivation rate" for loan parents was 23.2pc in 2016. The Irish rate compares badly with the EU average of 15.7pc. Mr O'Dea said that if Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe refuses to increase welfare rates next year, the situation will only get worse. "If you had no increase this year, social welfare would … [Read more...] about Welfare has to rise next year, says O’Dea