David ClarkA leading South Island farmer says he hopes a parcel of farmland rejected for sale to overseas buyers will be broken up and sold to local buyers. A largely Canadian-controlled company, Mercury Agriculture LP, had its application to buy 4500ha of South Island land turned down by the Overseas Investment Office. The land was largely in Mid and South Canterbury, but there was about 800ha from Cromwell for sale. Not everyone was aware it was for sale, especially those nearest to it, according to Federated Farmers’ Mid Canterbury provincial president, David Clark. ‘‘The Mid Canterbury province has many recently immigrated families who have farmed and become integral members of our local communities.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 02, 2019 15:33 UTC