Red Meat Sector Conference date unveiled
The Meat Industry Association (MIA) have announced the dates for the 2025 Red Meat Sector Conference.
PRIMARY INDUSTRIES minister Nathan Guy aims to double the value of exports by 2025.
In a speech yesterday to industry leaders in Wellington Guy noted the export double goal was an ambitious but achievable target. It will require export growth of around 5% a year.
"This target is based on 2012 export figures of $32 billion for the primary sector, with the aim of raising this to $64 billion by 2025," he says.
Guy highlighted three key challenges and opportunities that were necessary in achieving this goal.
Increasing competitiveness through improved collaboration and trade was key along with using science, research and innovation to add value to products.
"Protecting the value of our products is just as important through industry earning its 'social licence.' This means producing our products sustainably, bringing the community with us, and earning their respect and understanding," says Guy.
"Environmental sustainability is no longer a 'nice to have' - it's a necessity for the New Zealand public and our global consumers."
Lastly, Guy highlighted the growing need for skilled workers in the industry.
"We need to attract the best people into the primary industries. Industry and Government need to start working closely together because we are facing a skills shortage in the future."
Guy challenged members of the programme to report back to him in February with the three biggest obstacles and opportunities their industries had in reaching the export double target, and how the Government can help overcome these.
Labour's agriculture spokesperson Jo Luxton says while New Zealand needs more housing, sacrificing our best farmland to get there is not the answer.
Profitability issues facing arable farmers are the same across the world, says New Zealand's special agricultural trade envoy Hamish Marr.
Over 85% of Fonterra farmer suppliers will be eligible for customer funding up to $1,500 for solutions designed to drive on-farm efficiency gains and reduce emissions intensity.
Tighter beef and lamb production globally have worked to the advantage of NZ, according to the Meat Industry Association (MIA).
Groundswell is ramping up its 'Quit Paris' campaign with signs going up all over the country.
Some farmers in the Nelson region are facing up to five years of hard work to repair their damaged properties caused by the recent devastating floods.