Reading Time: 2 minutes With the year a third through, it seems these lonely islands at the bottom of the world have been tossed and washed thoroughly by repeated storms, all before winter has even arrived.
Outwardly, that could make the existence of the Ministry for Primary Industries’ 50 On Farm Support (OFS) staff a relevant, pertinent presence to help get rural communities back on their feet after the intense weather they have experienced.
But it appears there is a strong undertone of doubt among those very communities about whether OFS is a help or a distraction before, during or after an adverse event strikes.
Born from a desire in the wake of M bovis to have better connections between MPI head office and rural constituents, OFS has some questioning whether 50 staff and an annual cost of $9 million is the best way to achieve that.
The unit is expected to deliver frontline extension-advisory services, help farmers navigate regulatory complexity, and assist with adverse event response.
Each of these roles has drawn criticism.
As levy payers to the likes of DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb NZ, farmers are loath to be paying again through their taxes to the MPI to also offer extension.
There is nothing farmers dislike more than duplication, particularly of costs they pay.
The car parks at many industry events are already dominated by multiple agencies’ sign-written, expensive utes.
When it comes....
