Labour’s agriculture policy is coming and will reflect what the party has heard from farmers rather than spring surprises on them, Agriculture Spokesperson Jo Luxton says.

Luxton, also spokesperson for biosecurity and customs, would not give a timeline or any details in an interview with CountryWide CONNECT today. She says Labour lost rural support at the 2023 election.

“The voters told us that on election day,” she says.

“That has made us stop and think that there needs to be some change, and we need to build relationships with the sector.

“That’s what we’ve been doing.”

The response from farmers has been positive, Luxton says.

“We’re not trying to stand up there and pretend that things were perfectly fine; we’re actually owning the relationship breakdown as well.”

She says Labour as a whole backs farming.

“I don’t think anyone can deny the value of the sector; it’s the backbone of the country, as we all know, and the economy.”

Throughout their listening to the industry, she says farmers often raise past grievances. She says the party’s answer is consistent.

“We get it, that we went too much, too fast.

“We’re not doing that this time.”

Biosecurity, including the response to threats like bird flu, should be handled across party lines, Luxton says.

“Biosecurity is too important to be political, in my view.”

She has a good working relationship with the current Minister for Biosecurity, Andrew Hoggard, and says briefings have been provided whenever asked.

“Any time something has come up and I’ve reached out, he’s been really good and allowed that to happen.”

Her concern over bird flu extends beyond poultry to native bird species, and she says the value of any preparedness only becomes clear once a disease arrives.

“It’s not until it hits your shore that you know if your preparedness has worked or not.”

CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch/listen or download the CountryWide CONNECT mobile app, available on Apple iOS and Android.