Farmers Demand Revocation Amidst “Anti-Farming Propaganda” Claims.
Greenpeace’s charity status is facing renewed and intense scrutiny in New Zealand following an act of vandalism, prompting Federated Farmers to demand its revocation. The call stems from what farmers describe as “repeated illegal activity” and the “spread of harmful misinformation.” This latest controversy erupted after the defacement of Gore’s iconic brown trout statue and welcome sign on July 22, an act Federated Farmers’ Southland president Jason Herrick labeled a “shameless attempt to divide the small rural community and spread anti-farming propaganda.”
Federated Farmers argues that Greenpeace’s actions, which include instances of trespassing on private property and vandalism of public property, are fundamentally inconsistent with the criteria for maintaining charitable status in New Zealand. Organizations holding this status are required to operate for the public good and not primarily for political or advocacy purposes. This distinction is central to the legal challenge posed by the farmers’ organization.
The current demand is not an isolated incident. Federated Farmers had previously lodged a formal complaint with Charities Services in April, following Greenpeace’s illegal occupation of Port Taranaki. This history of alleged disruptive and unlawful conduct forms the basis of the renewed push to strip the environmental group of its charitable benefits and legal standing.
The ongoing dispute highlights a growing tension between environmental advocacy groups and the agricultural sector, particularly the dairy industry, in New Zealand. Farmers are increasingly vocal about the impact of what they perceive as targeted campaigns that undermine their livelihoods and spread misrepresentations about farming practices. This clash impacts the broader agribusiness landscape and public perception of dairy production.
Federated Farmers is now putting pressure on Charities Services to act decisively on their existing complaint, urging them to revoke Greenpeace’s charitable status. This outcome would have significant implications for how environmental advocacy groups operate within New Zealand, affecting their fundraising capabilities and public legitimacy, and signaling a potential shift in the legal framework surrounding activism that impacts the dairy economics and operations of farmers.
Source: Farmers Weekly: Greenpeace charity status back in spotlight after vandalism
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