The Labor party has revealed that the Government is mulling over the overseas investment in the country’s farms. Bill English, the Finance Minister, disclosed that it is a delicate issue and needs to be handled carefully.

According to sources, the issue has become important for the Government since the time Natural Dairy, a Hong Kong based firm, showed its interest in purchasing Crafar farm venture.

Next month will witness the release of Overseas Investment Act (OIA) review report, on New Zealand's overseas investment. According to the Prime Minister John Key, the report will deal with the issue of marketing large areas of land to the foreign buyers.

English is responsible for the report and disclosed that farmers who are facing financial crisis are keen on purchasing farms in New Zealand, as they are comparatively economical.

The report would also focus on the possibilities of the overseas investment screening regime.

Mr. English has revealed that the process has become simple, as the time of filing an application has reduced form 63 days to 38 days and that too, in a span of 10 months.

Russel Norman, Co-Leader of the Green Party, was seeking Government’s stance on the issue.

Norman had reportedly released a bill earlier to take away the rights of the foreign investors to purchase sensitive land.