Controversial Gene Technology bill is tabled in Parliament, the Government releases its second Emissions Reduction Plan, and Ham or Lamb? Who’s the winner for this year’s Christmas dinner?.

Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!

Controversial Gene Technology bill is tabled in Parliament

The Gene Technology Bill was officially introduced into the Parliamentary process yesterday. 

The objectives of the Bill are to establish a new regulatory regime for gene technology and genetically modified organisms with the aim to enable safe use of the technology, according to the Bill’s accompanying explanatory note.

As expected, the Bill aims to establish a new Gene Technology Regulator as an independent decision maker within the Environmental Protection Authority. The regulator will be supported by a Technical Advisory Committee and a Māori Advisory Committee. The Director-General of the Ministry for Primary Industries will be responsible for compliance, monitoring, and enforcement of the regulatory regime.

A risk tier framework is to be used with four general tiers of risk used in the assessment process to enable proportionate management of risks to human health and safety to the environment. Under the Bill, some gene technologies will be exempt from the regulatory process such as products of editing techniques that result in organisms that cannot be distinguished from those produced by conventional processes.

The new rules will require the regulator to consult the public on draft risk assessment and draft risk management plans for licensed activities unless there has been previous consultation on a similar activity. The regulator will also be required to notify the public of its proposals to declare activities to be non-notifiable, notifiable, or pre-assessed.

For more on how the public can have their say on the Bill and the regulatory process listen to this week’s Dairy Exporter Podcast.

The Government releases its second Emissions Reduction Plan

Meanwhile the government has charted an ambitious course toward climate action with the release of its second Emissions Reduction Plan, positioning the country to potentially achieve net zero emissions ahead of its 2050 target.

Climate Change Minister Simon Watts presented a comprehensive strategy that balances environmental commitments with economic prosperity. The plan targets emissions across critical sectors including agriculture, transport, energy, and waste management.

Eight key policies form the cornerstone of the government's emissions reduction strategy. These include expanding electric vehicle infrastructure, with plans to establish 10,000 charging points by 2030, and introducing agricultural emissions pricing by 2030.

Renewable energy development will receive significant focus through the Electrify NZ initiative. The government will also explore innovative approaches like carbon capture technologies and private-sector partnerships for tree planting on Crown-owned land.

Waste management receives special attention, with plans to leverage the Waste Minimisation Fund and improve organic waste processing and landfill gas recovery rates. A regulated product stewardship scheme for refrigerants will be introduced from 2025.

The plan sets the foundation to potentially achieve net zero as early as 2044 - six years ahead of the original 2050 target. Current projections indicate New Zealand is on track to meet its first emissions budget, even with recent policy adjustments.

Farmers see brighter horizon for 2025

Farmers up and down the country are breathing a collective sigh of relief as the latest Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey reveals a dramatic improvement in sector sentiment. The survey indicates a remarkable turnaround, with farmer confidence soaring to its highest level since mid-2017.

Rabobank's General Manager for Country Banking, Bruce Weir, described the mood shift as particularly noteworthy. After enduring challenging months, farmers are now seeing promising signs of recovery. The survey's net confidence reading has dramatically jumped from a mere +3% to an impressive +34%.

Driving this optimism are significant improvements in commodity pricing. Nearly 60% of farmers with a positive outlook point to higher prices as their primary source of hope. Dairy farmers are leading the charge, with close to seven in ten expecting improved performance in the coming year. Fonterra's recent milk price forecast revision to a record-breaking $10 per kilogram of milksolids has been a particular bright spot.

The good news extends beyond dairy. Sheep and beef farmers are also showing increased confidence, with three in ten anticipating business improvements.

Interest rates have also played a crucial role in boosting farmer morale. The Reserve Bank's recent 50 basis point reduction is providing welcome relief to farmers struggling with financial pressures.

Not all sectors are experiencing equal optimism. Horticulturalists remain more cautious, with lingering concerns about input prices and international market conditions. They remain technically positive but less enthusiastic compared to their pastoral counterparts.

The survey revealed promising trends in farm viability and investment intentions. More farmers are now assessing their operations as 'easily viable', with the number of farms considered 'unviable' halving to just 4% - the lowest level since late 2022.

Investment intentions are also on the rise, particularly in the dairy sector. Dairy farmers are showing the strongest commitment, with a net investment intention of +39%. Sheep and beef farmers are also showing increased willingness to invest in their operations.

Perhaps most significantly, the survey indicates a potential revival in rural land values. For the first time since tracking began, more farmers expect land prices to increase rather than fall, with 30% anticipating price lifts against only 12% expecting declines.

Canterbury moves to restricted fire season amid early, aggressive fire conditions

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has declared restricted fire seasons for Canterbury and Mid-South Canterbury, effective immediately, in response to escalating wildfire risks across the region.

Canterbury District Commander Dave Stackhouse highlighted the urgency of the situation, pointing to recent significant wildfires at Castle Hill, West Melton, and Kirwee. Despite predictions of cooler La Niña conditions, the fire season has developed earlier and more aggressively than anticipated.

The move requires anyone wanting to light an outdoor fire to obtain a fire permit through www.checkitsalright.nz. Stackhouse explained that the decision comes as the region expects multiple days with temperatures over 25 degrees and winds exceeding 25 kilometers per hour.

Particular concern stems from vegetation growth during the past two years of wet La Niña conditions. Grasslands and riverbeds have experienced substantial growth, creating a significant fire hazard once dried out.

Ham or Lamb? Who’s the winner for this year’s Christmas dinner?

Kiwi Christmas traditions are holding strong, with a new survey revealing the details of how kiwis will celebrate the holiday season. In a nail-biting culinary contest, ham has narrowly claimed the top spot as the main protein, beating lamb by a mere 0.2 percent.

The annual survey, now in its seventh year, captured the insights of approximately 1,200 respondents, painting a mouth-watering picture of New Zealand's holiday dining landscape. 

Nearly half of the respondents - 47.8% - are planning a classic roast with all the traditional accompaniments, while 35.5% will opt for a laid-back barbecue featuring fresh summer salads.

Midday emerges as the prime gathering time, with 48.9% of families planning to sit down to their main meal during lunchr. The dessert scene remains delightfully nostalgic, with pavlova reigning supreme. An impressive 70% of Kiwis will indulge in the iconic sweet treat, joined by trifle and brandy snaps.

Ovens will be working overtime, with 60.7% of households using this traditional method, while 36.4% will embrace the barbecue.

Beyond the food, the survey revealed what truly matters. An overwhelming 89% of respondents identified family time as the most crucial aspect of Christmas. Nostalgic activities like backyard barbecues, cricket games, and visiting relatives continue to define the holiday experience.