Top ag scientist to advise PM
A highly experienced agricultural scientist with specialist knowledge of the dairy sector is the Prime Minister's new Chief Science Advisor.
This comes from the Director General of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Ray Smith in a keynote address to the Red Meat Sector conference in Wellington last week.
He says relying on 'brand New Zealand' won't be enough to ward off the many meat producing countries that are exporting to markets in which NZ has had something of a privileged position for years.
Smith says, for example, Australia has increased the volume of sheepmeat it exports while South America has increased its beef exports.
His warning to the sector was one of the key themes at the conference. Other speakers had similar messages and said NZ needs to lift its game in dealing with competitors and securing access to developing markets. Issues such as FTAs and having quality international relationships in key forums to state NZ's case were also advocated.
Smith says NZ has to make sure that high value consumers understand the full range of attributes out grass-fed products offer and that they are better in every respect to grain-fed animal products.
"We must work hard to see that this proposition resonates with high-paying customers. Remember that NZ is targeting customers with a product that is higher in value and we are looking for those higher value customers to find their way towards our product. There is quite a bit of work to do in market but there is quite a bit of opportunity there for the taking," he says.
Ray Smith says MPI is reorganising its own capability in market access and trade to put greater focus on ensuring NZ companies maximise value from existing FTAs.
