Editorial: NZ's great China move
OPINION: The New Zealand red meat sector, with support from the Government, has upped the ante to retain and expand its niche in the valuable Chinese market - and the signs are looking positive.
New Zealand's red meat sector has launched a recruitment drive to attract halal butchers to the industry.
Every year, the NZ meat industry requires around 250 halal processing people with approximately 100 of the roles typically filled by New Zealand residents or those with open work visas.
But the closure of the country's borders due to the Covid-19 pandemic means migrant halal butchers and boners are unavailable and the industyr is encouraging Muslim New Zealanders to consider a career in the red meat sector.
Meat Industry Association chief executive Sirma Karapeeva says halal butchers are critical to supporting NZ's meat processing industry, especially in regional communities where many plants are located.
"Halal processing is a core part of the New Zealand meat processing industry with approximately 43% of New Zealand total red meat exports halal certified Muslim consumers. These contribute approximately $3.3 billion in export earnings."
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the relationship between New Zealand and the US will remain strong and enduring irrespective of changing administrations.
More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.
The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) says securing more China label registrations and developing its own nutritional manufacturing capability are high on its agenda.
Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.
As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.
Livestock can be bred for lower methane emissions while also improving productivity at a rate greater than what the industry is currently achieving, research has shown.
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