Government lets farmers down again

Hon David Carter - National Agriculture Spokesperson

“Proposed increases to accident insurance levies means farmers are being let down yet again,” says National’s Agriculture spokesperson David Carter.

“After erroneously promising that the renationalisation of accident insurance would not cost farmers anymore the Government is currently proposing a 22% increase in average motor vehicle levies, a 5-8% increase in ACC levies on farm employee wages and a 31-35% increase in levies for the self-employed farmer.

“I encourage farmers to make the most of their opportunity to make submissions to ACC before October 10. Though I fear, as is usual in these situations, the decision is as good as a done deal.

“With farmers bracing themselves for harder times the Labour Government drops in a new round of cost increases, and simply adds insult to injury.

“This will not be the last cost increase they face. Legislation that will make way for the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol is likely to be passed into law before Christmas, bringing with it still more costs.

“This is yet another example of a Labour led Government taking New Zealand agriculture for granted. The Government should be thinking how it can help farmers to help the economy reach 4% growth, not instead be heaping even more costs upon them,” said Mr Carter.

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