Wednesday, 03 October 2012 14:19

NZ ‘mishears’ world on food

Written by 

New Zealand's policy makers' misunderstanding of 'food safety,' may be adding thousands of dollars to the individual cost of agricultural production at the farm gate.

The World Bank in New York made this major admission to Massey University's Executive MBA students, says one of those students Letitia Isa.

"I was stunned to learn what we know as 'food security' is defined by the World Bank as 'food safety'. It may sound like semantics but it carries a huge implication for our agricultural producers and exporters," says Isa.

"This simple but fundamental misapprehension may see New Zealand jumping ever higher but illusionary hurdles. Instead of higher standards boosting returns, they may in fact be eroding them for almost no financial gain.

"When the World Bank says food safety they are not talking stainless steel, the National Animal Identification and Tracing Scheme or the Emissions Trading Scheme. What the World Bank means is how New Zealand can contribute to the feeding nine billion people by 2050.

"That carries with it a powerful but different policy message.

According to the University of Waikato's Professor of Agribusiness, Jacqueline Rowarth, New Zealand can feed some 24 million people. The United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organisation says developed countries need to increase output by 70% to do their bit.

"It might sound provocative, but we need to seriously weigh the cost-benefits of adopting polices that do not generate tangible revenue at the farm gate, or increase production," says Isa.

"While European supermarkets seem to be a de facto political and policy benchmark, are ever higher compliance costs worth it?

"It may sound counter intuitive, but perhaps quantity does have a quality all of its own. A simple metric maybe if a policy adds a dollar of cost, does it produce well over a dollar of added revenue at the farm gate?

"Moreover, are our other policy settings, particularly around Genetically Modified Organisms, retarding New Zealand's ability to do its fair global share?

"Certainly, the way the World Bank defines food safety needs to become central to New Zealand policy formation. If not, we risk unprecedented global disorder that New Zealand could not escape," Isa concluded.

More like this

From Nelson to Dairy Research: Amy Toughey’s Journey

Driven by a lifelong passion for animals, Amy Toughey's journey from juggling three jobs with full-time study to working on cutting-edge dairy research trials shows what happens when hard work meets opportunity - and she's only just getting started.

Featured

Every vote will count - Alliance chair

An independent report, prepared for Alliance farmer shareholders is backing the proposed $250 million joint venture investment by Irish company Dawn Meats Group.

John Deere technician's record hat trick

Whangarei field service technician, Bryce Dickson has cemented his place in John Deere’s history, becoming the first ever person to win an award for the third time at the annual Australian and New Zealand Technician of the Year Awards, announced at a gala dinner in Brisbane last night.

Australia develops first local mRNA FMD vaccine

Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks could have a detrimental impact on any country's rural sector, as seen in the United Kingdom's 2000 outbreak that saw the compulsory slaughter of over six million animals.

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