Stripping farmers of their semi-automatic weapons and forcing them to use contractors for pest control is "completely illogical", Federated Farmers says. However, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says proposed legislation has tried to anticipate the "legitimate needs" of farmers. It recommended the bill be passed but suggested several changes, including allowing semi-automatic firearms to be used for pest control on farms. STACY SQUIRES/STUFF Under a select committee recommendation, farmers would be able to hire a contractor to use semi-automatic weapons for pest control but couldn't use the guns themselves. When asked if the requirement for farmers to employ contractors for pest control sent a signal she did not trust them, Ardern replied, "Absolutely not."

Source: Stuff April 09, 2019 01:44 UTC