In New Zealand in some regions it is illegal to plant new ground in vegetables
This is an interview on NZ television with an award-winning vegetable grower on the problems growers are facing, in terms of both cost and regulation in growing food and getting it to the market.
He says it is a problem that has been brewing for the last 5 years or so.
There were warnings back then that the changes made by government would bring the very food prices we are seeing.
He points out:
- The cost of production has been increasing for growers to the extent that the price offered by the retailers (read the supermarkets) is BELOW THEIR COST OF PRODUCTION so it is no longer worthwhile sending produce to market.
- He also points out that: in some regions of NZ it is ILLEGAL to plant new ground in vegetables;
- the government requires a resource consent to grow vegetables, to irrigate and wash them; the grower, who has won environmental awards cannot get consent to plant new areas.
Finding any background on this or anything relating to the most important part of human existence in this country is like looking for a needle in the haystack.
It does not appear to be there
Fruit and vegetables drive up annual food prices
Annual food prices rose 6.8 percent in February 2022 compared with February 2021, Stats NZ said today.
This was the largest annual increase since July 2011 when prices increased 7.9 percent.
In February 2022 compared with February 2021:
- fruit and vegetable prices increased by 17 percent
- grocery food prices increased by 5.4 percent
- restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices increased by 5.2 percent
- meat, poultry, and fish prices increased by 7.1 percent
- non-alcoholic beverage prices increased by 2.3 percent.
“Fruit and vegetables were the largest contributor to the annual movement, mainly influenced by tomatoes, broccoli, and iceberg lettuce,” food prices lead analyst Angus Crowe said.
One thought on “In New Zealand in some regions it is illegal to plant new ground in vegetables”
They certainly made off-farm raw milk sales almost impossible with inconsistent and discriminatory new legislation in 2016, not to mention expensive compliance costs. They have made an example of any who tried to work around the rules by using limited partnerships or herdshares, with undercover raids and fines of $30,000 and $50,000 and probably a lot more for one farmer yet to be sentenced.