NZ Confirmed as World's Largest Single-Country Dairy Exporter in 2026 Report
A team effort that is paying dividends for the wider New Zealand economy.
Federated Farmers president Dr William Rolleston has been appointed acting president of the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) at a meeting in Geneva.
Dr Rolleston has been the WFO’s vice president and will guide the organisation though until the next general assembly in Helsinki 2017 during which a new president will be appointed.
"It’s a privilege to be appointed to this role in an acting capacity. The WFO actively promotes the critical importance of a sustainable global farming sector for the future of our planet,” says Dr Rolleston.
"The WFO is the global voice of farming and partners with the public and private sector to improving farmer’s efficiency and effectiveness in the value chain.
"It helps to overcome the global and local barriers to resource and market access."
Dr Rolleston will now be more involved in the many activities, events, policy proposals and advocacy work that WFO is conducting on behalf of its members.
"Some of WFO’s current work includes world food security, climate change policy and practice, WFO’s Strategic Plan 2018-2028 and a number of policy initiatives."
Dr Rolleston farms in the South Island and operates a family owned biological manufacturing business there supplying biologicals to pharmaceutical, diagnostic and research industries around the world.
He has held board positions relating to agriculture, science and economic development and sits on the New Zealand Government’s Science Board.
He was the founding chairman of New Zealand’s Biotechnology Industry Organisation (now NZBio) and of the Life Sciences Network - an umbrella organisation of science and industry organisations who advocated for science based regulation of genetic modification.
Esther Guy-Meakin has been announced as the new chief executive of the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB).
According to a progress report on the Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan (AHAP), New Zealand's horticulture sector is making real progress on the big issues facing growers.
A team effort that is paying dividends for the wider New Zealand economy.
A strong sense of community involvement is what propelled the Federated Farmers' North Canterbury president Bex Green to the honoured title of the Feds' Advocate of the Year 2026.
The country's second largest milk processor is warning against 'complacency' during a review of competition regulations in the dairy sector.
Oamaru-based livestock handling specialist Te Pari has bought Combi Clamp, the New Zealand manufacturer of Combi Clamp manual sheep handlers.

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