Deer farming ‘in chaos’ awaiting Govt tax moves

Press, 12 June 1986, Page 6

Deer farming ‘in chaos’ awaiting Govt tax moves

PA Wellington Deer farming will be in chaos until the Government details new livestock taxes announced six months ago, says the president of the Deer Farmers’ Association, Mr lan Spiers. “An immediate announcement of the details of the livestock taxation package is critical to the New Zealand deer Industry,” Mr Spiers said. “The industry is in chaos, and will remain that way until we have a direction.” The Government is expected to give its decision

this week on the Brash committee’s report on changes to the standard values system of valuing and taxing livestock. Many farmers needed to know the details of the package before deciding whether they could carry on into the new farming year from July 1, he said. Up to 20 deer sales were scheduled during the next two weeks. “How can buyers operate under this current information blackout? The review of livestock taxation has effectively ruined our main stock selling season,” Mr Spiers said.

Farmers had gone through the required consultative process and received an undertaking from the Minister of Finance, Mr Douglas, that he would give a decision with a minimum of delay, he said. “Yet the original announcement was made on December 12 and now six months later the industry still has no idea what Government policy will be.” Mr Douglas announced the proposed changes in his economic statement which farmers expected to be a relief package.