Monday, 23 August 2021 08:59

Butchers plead with Government to let them open

Written by  Staff Reporters
Butchers across New Zealand are asking the Government to allow them to open under strict Covid protocols amid a level four lockdown. Butchers across New Zealand are asking the Government to allow them to open under strict Covid protocols amid a level four lockdown.

Butchers across New Zealand are urging the Government to allow them to reopen under strict Covid protocols and serve their communities.

Currently, under Alert Level Four, independent butchers are only allowed to operate contactless deliveries – a position Retail Meat New Zealand (RMNZ) says is unviable for many operators.

Compounding the issue is that supermarkets are under increasing pressure, not just from a record concentration of customers, but for several supermarkets, they are a location of interest forcing their staff members into self isolation.

Kit Arkwright, spokesperson from RMNZ – the membership body for New Zealand butchers – says he is imploring the government to change their stance as soon as possible to give retailers a chance of survival.

“The reality for many of our members is an extended lockdown could sign the death sentence for their businesses,” Arkwright says.

He says the losses many butchers suffered during the 2020 lockdown combined with the current lockdown could see an eventuality where many butchers are unable to reopen.

“The Government has to consider the long term impacts this will have on food security, particularly for rural and regional communities that rely on their local butcher to keep them fed.”

Arkwright says that while RMNZ acknowledges that the whole country is feeling the impacts of this latest lockdown, but its members know they can do their part to keep Kiwis fed.

More like this

M.I.A.

OPINION: The previous government spent too much during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite warnings from officials, according to a briefing released by the Treasury.

Gaslight much?

OPINION: Labour leader Chris 'Chippy' Hipkins is carrying on the world-class gaslighting of the nation that he and his cohorts started after their disastrous Covid response; now trying to undermine the Covid inquiry to protect his own backside.

Sorry, not sorry

OPINION: Did former PM Jacinda Ardern get fawning reviews for her book?

Every exhibitor with something valuable to offer for farmers

OPINION: Welcome to the second annual NZ Dairy Expo at Matamata – an event created to bring together the best of the New Zealand dairy industry in a focused, grassroots environment where dairy farmers and rural professionals can meet, talk, compare products, and make smart decisions for their farms.

Featured

Fencing excellence celebrated

The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.

B+LNZ launches AI assistant for farmers

Beef + Lamb New Zealand has launched an AI-powered digital assistant to help farmers using the B+LNZ Knowledge Hub to create tailored answers and resources for their farming businesses.

National

Machinery & Products

Tech might take time

Agritech Unleashed – a one-day event held recently at Mystery Creek, near Hamilton – focused on technology as an ‘enabler’…

John Deere acquires GUSS Automation

John Deere has announced the full acquisition of GUSS Automation, LLC, a globally recognised leader in supervised high-value crop autonomy,…

Fencing excellence celebrated

The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

A step too far

OPINION: For years, the ironically named Dr Mike Joy has used his position at Victoria University to wage an activist-style…

Save us from SAFE

OPINION: A mate of yours truly has had an absolute gutsful of the activist group SAFE.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter