Source: MIL-OSI Submissions
Source: Federated Farmers
Federated Farmers and Fish & Game have agreed to work together more closely to identify areas of collaboration.
The two organisations acknowledge they have a history of struggling to appreciate each other’s point of view. But high-level board discussions are now underway and are leading the way forward to a more productive relationship, Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard says.
“Many of our members are also members of Fish & Game. And fishermen and farmers are very similar people. We both love the outdoors and likely have more in common than we do in difference.
“It is pleasing that we have been able to come together and discuss those areas of shared interest and concern and think about ways in which we can work on those areas of difference.”
One area of co-operation highlighted very early on in discussions is working together around the issue of access to farmland for hunting and fishing purposes.
“One of the first things we will look at is providing more assistance to Fish & Game for ensuring the right information is given to fisherman and hunters so that farm property rights, biosecurity and health and safety requirements are understood.”
Feds working more closely with Fish & Game will require some farmers and growers to put aside the dislike and distrust they’ve felt towards the organisation and its members.
“There comes a time where you need to draw a line in the past and move forward,” Andrew says.
“We are not breaking out the marshmallows, lighting the camp fire, and signing “kumbaya” together, but we both recognise that an adversarial approach really only benefits lawyers.
“We are not going to agree on everything, but we can at least disagree in a respectful manner that doesn’t vilify either farmers or fisher’s in the eyes of one another.”
