Farmer to farmer talks in Europe

Federated Farmers national board member Phil York is to meet with his counterparts in England and Holland while visiting Europe at the end of August.

Mr York is to meet Dr Frank van Oorschot, senior specialist in international affairs for the Dutch Federation of Agriculture and Horticulture, on August 27.

He will also meet vice-president of the National Farmers Union for England, Paul Temple on his farm in East Yorkshire, on August 31, 2008.

Mr York will discuss trade issues and the New Zealand story of “life after subsidies”, he says these discussions are particularly relevant given the halt to World Trade Organisation negotiations recently.

Mr York says he is also interested in hearing the European take on relationships between urban and rural people and how farmers there are dealing with environmental management and agricultural sector emissions.

Mr York leaves New Zealand on August 25.