Thursday, 10 December 2020 10:55

Govt needs to rethink research funding strategy - Mackle

Written by  Staff Reporters
DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle says the government needs to rethink how it funds environmental research. DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle says the government needs to rethink how it funds environmental research.

DairyNZ say the government needs to rethink how environmental research is funded in New Zealand.

The call comes after a report by Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) Simon Upston argued that the current system was disjointed.

“We urge the Government to accept the PCE’s advice and reconsider our national strategy and funding allocation for environmental research,” said DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle.

Mackle says that New Zealand faces significant challenges to reduce its environmental footprint, reduce emissions and improve water quality.

“To be successful we will need substantial, long-term research investment based on a shared strategy,” he said.

“The current research is not having the impact it could,” he said.

Mackle explains that the current system is costly, cumbersome, and doesn’t always give funding to the areas that actually need it.

“Misplaced incentives around certain priorities can result in piecemeal projects at the expense of long-term vision and co-ordinated effort.”

He says that the result of these issues is a system that is splintered and drives mostly short-term and disconnected projects which have low accountability for impact.

Mackle argues that the projects need to bring together the expertise of researchers to achieve economic, social and environmental aspirations.

“The amount for research and development needs to be commensurate to the challenges and the opportunities for New Zealand,” he said.

“The dairy sector wants to be part of the solution and we are keen to see environmental research investment which delivers the desired outcomes for New Zealand’s environment.

“We want to see the government continue to invest in the dairy sector and other primary sector solutions and innovations.”

More like this

Better animal genetic gain system

A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.

OSPRI's costly software upgrade

Animal disease management agency OSPRI has announced sweeping governance changes as it seeks to recover from the expensive failure of a major software project.

Musical chairs

OPINION: DairyNZ's director elections has seen scientist Jacqueline Rowarth re-elected for another three-year term.

Featured

Better animal genetic gain system

A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.

SIDE 2025's new schedule, venue

Annual farmer gathering, the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE), is set to make history as it heads to Timaru for the first time.

Taranaki piggery goes solar

Installing 400 solar panels at their Taranaki piggery and cropping operation will have significant environmental, financial and animal welfare benefits for the Stanley family.

Editorial: Keep FTAs coming

OPINION: The dairy industry will  be a major beneficiary of a new free trade deal between NZ and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC).

National

Organic sector backtracks on GE

Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) says the Government’s new gene editing and genetic modification reforms could leave New Zealand as…

$3b windfall?

Fonterra's proposed sale of its global consumer business could fetch over $3 billion but not all proceeds will end up…

Machinery & Products

Milk Sustainability Centre launched

The recently announced Milk Sustainability Centre – a collaboration between global giant John Deere and milking and feed specialists De…

Data connection made easier

New Holland and Case IH are introducing new advancements in their precision technology stack to make farming easier and more…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Chinese strategy

OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.

Not fair

OPINION: The Listener's latest piece on winter grazing among Southland dairy farmers leaves much to be desired.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter