Thursday, 11 May 2023 09:25

Consistency needed over regulations

Written by  Peter Burke
Jay Clarke giving his presentation on the sustainable practices of his company Woodhaven at the Rabobank agricultural symposium in Sydney last month. Jay Clarke giving his presentation on the sustainable practices of his company Woodhaven at the Rabobank agricultural symposium in Sydney last month.

One of NZ's largest commercial vegetable growers says NZ can't have piecemeal regulations that differ from region to region.

Jay Clarke is director of the family-owned commercial growing business Woodhaven in the Horowhenua, which was started by his father John.

Clarke was a keynote speaker at Rabobank's recent agricultural symposium in Sydney, which attracted more than 1,600 people from Australasia.

His presentation on the sustainable practices of his company Woodhaven attracted a lot of positive feedback from delegates at the event.

Clarke told Hort News he loved the event and it was great to meet a number of talented people from around the world and hear their perspectives. He was also pleased with the response to his address.

He says, at present, NZ has a variable regulatory approach between regions and that this needs to change.

"You have got a situation where a huge proportion of the vegetable production in the Horizons region is essentially illegal - it requires a consent and there is no pathway for a consent at the moment," Clarke told Hort News.

"But there are other regions like Northland where there is no regulatory requirement whatsoever - so there is a lot of difference. As an industry we want to see that tidied up and see nationally consistent pathways that enable more healthy food production."

Jay Clarke and Shane Richardson FBTW

Woodhaven director Jay Clarke and manager Shane Richardson at the Rabobank agricultural symposium in Sydney.

Clarke says few people argue about the direction taken in terms of sustainability but believes there is some valid debate about how things might change in terms of farm systems. He says times are changing and while the cost of vegetables will come down, the days of a 99 cent lettuce are gone forever.

Clarke says the cost base for the producer has moved too much and it's unsustainable for companies like his to sell at very low prices. He told the conference vegetable production is largely a domestic industry in NZ.

"It's quite remarkable that all the veggies sold in NZ are produced on just 0.01% of the available agricultural land."

Clarke says the family company Woodhaven has invested heavily in providing quality incentives for staff - including scholarships. He says this is for good reason as crops need good skilled people to harvest them - especially with the type and perishability of the crops Woodhaven produce.

More like this

NZ household food waste falls again

Kiwis are wasting less of their food than they were two years ago, and this has been enough to push New Zealand’s total household food waste bill lower, the 2025 Rabobank KiwiHarvest Food Waste survey has found.

Featured

Carrfields invests in new Ashburton R&D hub

The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.

Elite sheep dogs to go head-to-head at Ashburton A&P Show

A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.

National

Machinery & Products

Yamaha acquires Robotics Plus

New Zealand based company Robotics Plus, a specialist in agricultural automation, has announced an agreement for it to be acquired…

Ecorobotix announces NZ dealership

Swiss-based Ecorobotix has announced its entry into the New Zealand market through a strategic partnership with Canterbury-based New Zealand Tractors.

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Red faced

OPINION: The Greens have taken the high moral ground on the Palestine issue and been leading political agitators in related…

Cold comfort

One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact…

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter