Friday, 30 September 2016 12:45

Feds president takes reigns at world farming body

Written by 
Federated Farmers president Dr William Rolleston. Federated Farmers president Dr William Rolleston.

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.

More like this

Feds back Fast-Track Approval Bill

Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.

Farmers oppose work visa changes

Farmers are crying foul over changes announced by the Government this week to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme.

Migrant farmer 'lets the side down'

An appalling case of migrant worker exploitation on a Southland farm isn't acceptable, says Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre.

Featured

Vaccinate against new lepto strain

A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.

TV series to combat food waste

Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.

National

Celebrating success

The Director General of MPI, Ray Smith says it's important for his department to celebrate the success of a whole…

Cyclone's devastating legacy

One of the country's top Māori sheep and beef farms is facing a five-year battle to get back to where it…

Machinery & Products

Factory clocks up 60 years

There can't be many heavy metal fans who haven’t heard of Basildon, situated about 40km east of London and originally…

PM opens new Power Farming facility

Morrinsville based Power Farming Group has launched a flagship New Zealand facility in partnership with global construction manufacturer JCB Construction.

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Cut with care

OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.

Bubble burst!

OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter