Ray Smith: Dairy still has growth potential despite flat export outlook
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General Ray Smith believes there is potential for an increase in dairy farming in New Zealand.
“Mark has a great understanding of industry issues, strong leadership ability, as well as advocacy and policy development experience,” says Agcarm president Mark Christie.
Ross has an Executive MBA from Massey and agricultural qualifications from Lincoln University. He comes to Agcarm after seven years as general manager of policy and advocacy at Federated Farmers and prior to that worked for the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for 12 years.
“Mark has an understanding of relevant legislation such as the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act, Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act, and extensive knowledge of the machinery of government.
“He is also adept at developing policy and regulations, influencing decision makers and problem solving.”
Ross has experience of orchard spray programmes and aerial spraying – having helped manage successful eradication programmes against the Asian gypsy moth and white-spotted tussock moth in the Waikato and Auckland regions.
Meanwhile, his involvement with animal health issues include Federated Farmer’s oversight of New Zealand cases of the blood-borne Theileria parasite and Cystericercus bovis, the larval stage of a species of tapeworm.
He also contributes to the disease eradication programme, TBfree New Zealand, is involved in foot and mouth simulation exercises and is a member of the MPI-led Livestock Sector Biosecurity Group.
Ross starts his new role on February 9, replacing Graeme Peters who stepped down after seven years in the job.
