Rural Industry Leaders Event Raises $400,000
New Zealand’s rural sector has once again demonstrated its generosity, with the second Rural Industry Leaders Dinner, Debate and Auction raising an impressive $400,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
The EU once again had its own stand while other EU states including Ireland and Germany had their own sites.
EU Ambassador to NZ, Lawrence Meredith, says their presence this year was their biggest.
As well as a site in the pavilion area, they also hosted a special luncheon for farming and trade leaders.
"The EU NZ Agri Innovation lunch was an opportunity for 200 European and Kiwi agriculturalist specialists and leaders including politicians and CEOs of top companies to meet and showcase what we are all doing," he told Rural News.
Innovation and Collaboration Driving Future Growth
Meredith says the key message is that NZ and the EU are stronger together and says he's really impressed with many of the creative ways that NZ farmers are innovating.
Meredith, who has Irish heritage, says Ireland and NZ are collaborating on research to combat methane emissions.
He says the two countries have a very good bilateral research arrangement.
"I think that partnership is the way forward so let's put our brains and experiences together to see how we can increase productivity and also do so in a way that is compatible with our ambition to hit net zero emissions by 2050," he says.
Free Trade Agreement Delivering Export Gains
Again, the EU site at Fieldays was a gourmet delight for visitors with samples of cheese and specialty meats there for the taking.
The goal was to show products that related to special regions in Europe and demonstrate the importance and value of these.
Meredith says this is also part of promoting the free trade agreement between NZ and the EU.
Since the FTA came into effect two years ago, the value of our exports there has increased by a staggering $3 billion - a lot of that due to the lifting of tariffs by the EU.
He says there has been a big bounce in horticulture exports and opportunities for lamb and says there is the opportunity to expand trade.
The key message from the EU at Fieldays has been partnerships.
"I know in Europe there is great respect for Kiwi farmers as there is among a lot of Kiwi farmers for their counterparts in Europe," he says.
