Southland MP Joseph Mooney has launched a petition addressing the farming industry's dire shortage of workers.

Mooney's petition asks that the House of Representatives urge the Government to provide 500 MIQ spaces each fortnight to bring skilled migrant workers into New Zealand before the beginning of the dairy industry’s upcoming calving season.

Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi’s announced yesterday that, among wider changes to visa rules, a total of 150 dairy farm workers in management and assistant roles would be allowed to enter New Zealand.

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But National MP Mooney says that falls well short of meeting the needs of a sector facing an employment crisis.

"It is very disappointing that the Minister is only allowing such a small number of farm workers into the country when dairy farmers are so desperately short-staffed.

"Allowing just 150 people through our borders barely scratches the surface in addressing a massive issue facing one of New Zealand’s biggest and most vital export sectors.

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"The dairy industry makes up 28.5% of New Zealand’s exports and is incredibly important to our economy.

"If the government does not address this issue immediately and more farm workers are not allowed into the country our communities will suffer.

"Farmers kept working during last year's lockdown to help keep the economy going while many New Zealanders stayed at home and now it is our turn to help them."

A survey conducted by Dairy NZ and Federated Farmers showed 49% of dairy farmer respondents were currently short-staffed.

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Of them, 46% had vacancies unfilled for more than three months and almost 25% had been unable to fill employment vacancies for more than six months.

Mooney says the Government is underestimating the scale of the problem.

"With the dairy industry’s busy calving season approaching, dairy farmers will be put under extreme stress unless further action is taken to get them the help they need on-farm."

"Not being able to get enough farm workers into the country to provide on-farm support is causing huge burnout and huge mental health concerns in the farming community."

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Mooney says it is irresponsible of the government not to use MIQ facilities that are already available to address the labour shortage. 

Since the beginning of the year, there have been 9,000 unused MIQ rooms that could have been better utilised, he claims.

Mooney's petition seeks 12.5% of MIQ beds to support the farming industry..

The Backing Our Farmers Petition can be found at www.national.org.nz/backing-our-farmers