Editorial: NZ's great China move
OPINION: The New Zealand red meat sector, with support from the Government, has upped the ante to retain and expand its niche in the valuable Chinese market - and the signs are looking positive.
The Meat Industry Association says member meat processors have agreed to collect a TB eradication differential levy on dairy cattle, although it does not agree with this method of collection.
New Zealand's meat processors have for some years collected a single uniform biosecurity levy on beef and dairy cattle at meat processors to pay for the costs of TB eradication, says the Meat Industry Association (MIA) in a statement.
Following a review undertaken last year, the Government and DairyNZ agreed that dairy farmers shall pay for a greater share of their share contribution to TB eradication via a differential levy paid on dairy cattle at meat processors.
"Meat processors opposed this differential levy on dairy cattle at meat processing,". MIA says.
"Meat processors believe that it is contrary to good public policy for costs to be charged at the point of production where they do not arise – in this case, costs incurred by dairy farmers should have been met by a charge on their dairy production, rather than through a complex system of differentiating dairy and beef cattle at meat processing.
"Meat processors also note that a differential levy at meat processing incurs greater costs which would not be incurred if the increase was made to the existing dairy levy.
"Nevertheless, meat processors recognise the importance to New Zealand of eradicating TB. The industry wishes to be constructive in this, so it has accepted the requests of the Government and DairyNZ that it impose a differential levy on dairy farmers. The Ministry for Primary Industries is shortly to promulgate the regulations to give effect to the differential levy, which will be imposed on dairy cattle from August 1, 2016.
"If any farmers have concerns about the application of the levy when the cattle are slaughtered they should contact OSPRI at 0800 482 463."
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the relationship between New Zealand and the US will remain strong and enduring irrespective of changing administrations.
More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.
The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) says securing more China label registrations and developing its own nutritional manufacturing capability are high on its agenda.
Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.
As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.
Livestock can be bred for lower methane emissions while also improving productivity at a rate greater than what the industry is currently achieving, research has shown.
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