Fonterra's New Roadmap Targets Climate, Nature, Animals
Climate, nature and animal wellbeing make up Fonterra's refreshed sustainability roadmap released last week.
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor is in Washington DC this week, speaking at the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate Summit, held from 8 – 10 May.
The summit has been organised by the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
“As we adjust to changing consumer trends and a changing climate, we must continue to support New Zealand farmers and growers to keep up their work reducing on-farm emissions, growing exports and retaining the sector’s competitive edge in international markets,” O’Connor says.
He says revenue from primary sector exports hit a record $53.1 billion in the year ending June 2022 and it is key to continue that momentum.
“Since 2017 the Government has secured or upgraded seven free trade agreements which bring huge market opportunities for our farmers and growers,” O’Connor says.
“The Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate Summit is expected to be this year’s milestone event for agriculture and climate change. It is a joint initiative to unite member countries to increase investment and support for climate-smart agriculture and food production by 2025,” he says.
“This Summit presents a rare opportunity for an international meeting of Agriculture Ministers to discuss the sustainable reduction of agricultural emissions and the ways in which we can work together to support farmers and growers across the globe to shift the dial on their emissions.”
“Export growth for our sector will depend on our sustainability credentials and we’re focussed on working with farmers and growers to be able demonstrate them,” says O’Connor.
DairyNZ deputy chair Cameron Henderson has been re-appointed unopposed for another term.
Farms across the upper North Island are trialling different pasture mixes as part of a research programme that aims to build greater resilience into farming systems.
Election years are always a concerning time for farmers, according to DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown.
The Ballance Farm Environment Awards are coming to the West Coast of the South Island.
Most dairy regions around the country have had a pretty good season so far says Tracy Brown.

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