Big turnout urged in Meat & Wool levy referendum

Federated Farmers has joined the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon David Carter MP, in urging a big turnout for the Meat & Wool levy referendum, which closes on August 28.

“Farmers need to show New Zealand they are forward focussed and that starts with a big turnout in the Meat & Wool levy vote,” says Bruce Wills, Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre chairperson.

“Many farmers may have thrown their ballot paper into the back of the ute or onto the paperwork pile.

“It’s one of those things that farmers may have thought, ‘I’ll get around to that tomorrow’ but tomorrow often never comes.

“That’s why Federated Farmers is laying down the challenge to dig out the ballot paper today and get on and vote.

“Meat & Wool could not have made voting simpler or easier with an online or postal option.

“To vote online eligible farmers just need their Meat & Wool ballot paper and a computer. It’s then just a case of logging on via www.referendum09.co.nz, entering the personalised PIN and password from the ballot paper and voting.

“For those who are not online, the ballot paper can be returned in the prepaid envelope.

“This referendum is a big decision for farmers and involves a lot of money. As Meat & Wool say ‘it’s your call’ and it really is. The last thing I want to hear are farmers bleating after the event when they have not exercised their vote.

“We didn’t build our industry by sitting on the fence and doing nothing. Irrespective of whichever way you vote, the action of voting is positive because you are participating and our industry needs much more active participation.

“Federated Farmers believes the time for carping is over. The time for voting is now,” Mr Wills concluded.