8th September 2026 // Rural News

Labour Promises Urgent ETS Fix and Forestry Conversion Pause Strong red meat returns forecast, but margins tighten Crop protection reforms welcomed by HortNZ   WANT TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW LIVE (11am-1pm NZST) ON THE GO? Download CountryWide Connect mobile app to stream the show via Apple Car Play or Android Auto. Or try the voice command ‘Play CountryWide Connect’ on Amazon Alexa or Google Home.   Apple: https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881 Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&hl=en_NZ   Labour Promises Urgent ETS Fix and Forestry Conversion Pause Labour is promising to urgently review and fix the Emissions Trading Scheme if elected, pausing new forestry registrations while the work is completed. Labour leader Chris Hipkins says the ETS is broken — the carbon price is too low to drive meaningful emissions reductions, and current rules make it cheaper to plant exotic forests than grow food. Climate spokesperson Dr Deborah Russell says the review will identify changes to incentivise genuine emissions reductions, reconsider forestry's role in the ETS and develop new rules to prevent whole-farm conversions to forestry. Labour is committed to the Paris Agreement and says walking away from it — as National and its coalition partners are signalling — would impose huge costs on the economy and future generations. New forestry ETS registrations will be paused while the review is completed.   Strong red meat returns forecast, but margins tighten Sheep and beef farmers can expect strong red meat returns in 2026-27, but Beef + Lamb New Zealand is warning farm margins are likely to tighten. Farm Profit Before Tax is forecast to average $267,200, down 20 percent from the provisional record of $335,500 last season, but still well above the five-year average. Average lamb farmgate prices are expected to fall 8 percent, with beef cattle prices down 4.5 percent and farm expenditure rising 4.2 percent. B+LNZ says tight global red meat supply and strong demand will continue to support prices, but a stronger New Zealand dollar, higher input costs and slower global economic growth will limit gains. Chair Kate Acland says farmers should use stronger cashflow to build financial resilience and prepare for market and climate risks, including the potential for dry El Niño conditions.   Crop protection reforms welcomed by HortNZ Horticulture New Zealand is welcoming progress on reforms aimed at improving growers’ access to safe and effective crop protection products. The ACVM Amendment Bill, reported back by the Primary Production Select Committee, would reduce duplication in approvals and make greater use of assessments from trusted overseas regulators. HortNZ chief executive Kate Scott says faster access to newer and safer products is important for managing pests and diseases, reducing crop losses and maintaining export market requirements. HortNZ is urging all parties to support the Bill through its remaining stages before the general election, along with related reforms to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act. Scott says growers need a regulatory system that supports productivity, resilience and innovation while continuing to protect people, the environment and trade.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.