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Deer industry farmers are trying to resolve a spat within the ranks.
A spat within the ranks of the New Zealand Deer Farmers Association has resulted in the suspension of outspoken North Canterbury farmer Barry Cuttance.
Members were invited to attend a Special General Meeting of the association, due to be held in Christchurch earlier this week as Rural News went to print.
The notice sent to members said the committee considered that grounds for suspension has been met because Cuttance had "behaved in a manner prejudicial to the objects of the Association and has brought the Association into disrepute".
It said the committee's decision was based on "unacceptable conduct relating to the Canterbury West Coast Branch Committee, including persistent, unsolicited, and inflammatory correspondence including personal attacks against individuals; and harassing behaviour towards DINZ personnel (which has involved legal action by DINZ personnel)".
NZDFA chairman Evan Potter said that it was an internal matter for the Association to resolve.
"If you have read the notice, that is all I will be commenting on," Evans told Rural News.
A two-thirds majority was required to confirm the suspension; otherwise Cuttance would return to full membership.
Cuttance, who is a branch committee member and previously stood unsuccessfully for the national board, also declined to go on the record prior to the meeting.
However, in previous correspondence with Rural News, Cuttance has questioned the value of the levy system, not just within deer farming but New Zealand agriculture generally, which he said squandered tens of millions of dollars annually.
He said that deer farmers now numbered less than 1500, down from 4500 in 1999, yet paid $7.7 million in annual levies to support a DINZ staff of 15 full and part-timers and a board of eight. It also spent on programmes he considered a waste of money, including the North American Retail Accelerator programme.
Cuttance farms near Oxford in North Canterbury, exporting deer velvet-based products, predominantly to the North American veterinary market.
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