Roadmap set to double hort exports by 2035
It's critical that the horticulture sector works together as part of a goal to double the sector’s exports by 2035.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
A copy of HortNZ’s levy proposal will be mailed to farmers next week. The proposal will be discussed at online grower meetings- dates and times are to be advised.
A referendum of growers will be held from midnight, Tuesday 14 May to midday, Friday 14 June 2024. Voting packs will be sent to growers in May.
HortNZ is telling growers that voting in the upcoming referendum is important. Currently growers pay a levy of 0.14% with a maximum levy of 0.15%.
“It’s important that you vote because the levy must be supported by more than half the participants in the referendum, representing more than half the value of total production,” it says.
“A yes majority vote will mean HortNZ continues to promote and protect your interests in an everchanging environment. A no majority vote will mean an end to HortNZ - the organisation would be wound up, there would no longer be an advocacy body dedicated to working on behalf of growers.
“Events such as Young Grower of the Year and programmes such as Growing Change will end. The sector will lose capability and vital relationships.”
HortNZ represents the interests of commercial fruit and vegetable growers in New Zealand who grow around 100 different fruits and vegetables. The sector provides over 40,000 jobs. There are 80,000 hectares of land in New Zealand producing fruit and vegetables for domestic consumers and supplying our global trading partners with high quality food.
According to latest Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) figures, the industry’s total exports reached $4.67 billion while domestic sales topped $2.81bn.
Meat co-operative, Alliance has met with a group of farmer shareholders, who oppose the sale of a controlling stake in the co-op to Irish company Dawn Meats.
Rollovers of quad bikes or ATVs towing calf milk trailers have typically prompted a Safety Alert from Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture across New Zealand.
The Government has announced it has invested $8 million in lower methane dairy genetics research.
A group of Kiwi farmers are urging Alliance farmer-shareholders to vote against a deal that would see the red meat co-operative sell approximately $270 million in shares to Ireland's Dawn Meats.
In a few hundred words it's impossible to adequately describe the outstanding contribution that James Brendan Bolger made to New Zealand since he first entered politics in 1972.
Dawn Meats is set to increase its proposed investment in Alliance Group by up to $25 million following stronger than forecast year-end results by Alliance.
OPINION: Ageing lefty Chris Trotter reckons that the decision to delay recognition of Palestinian statehood is more than just a fit…
OPINION: A mate of yours truly recently met someone at a BBQ who works at a big consulting firm who spent…