For too long the sector has lacked some high level leadership. The old MAF, in recent years, isolated itself to become quite an ordinary policy shop by providing OK advice to government but not publicly standing up for the sector. This was left to the Minister and a few industry leaders.
That MPI Director General Wayne McNee has decided to grasp the nettle and take a ‘leadership’ as distinct from ‘advocacy’, role is a positive move. It will please those who felt DOC’s environmental views were not countered at a high government level. Industry good organisations and some companies have done a good job in this space – as has Landcorp. However, those of us who remember the MAF of old recall it did put the primary sector on the map – so let’s hope MPI can re-invent the wheel.
This year will see some major reforms coming through parliament – especially in relation to the RMA and on water in particular. These are necessary as there is a danger that some regional councils, for their own perverse reasons, are heading down a track of stifling primary sector growth rather than enabling it to happen.
Sure there needs to be a balance, but achieving a clean environment and growing the primary sector is not an impossible target. On a daily basis we see farmers improving the environment and their own profitability, so why not on a national basis?
Local government reform was inevitable given the indifferent performances by some councils and, in particular, a lack of consistency nationwide.
What we are likely to see this year is the adverse effects of PSA on the kiwifruit industry and by all accounts this will be dramatic. Dairy prices will hold up, so will beef, but lamb prices – as are already seeing – are set to take a bit of tumble.
The primary sector is also likely to get a new minister with the incumbent David Carter potentially and reluctantly heading for the speaker’s chair in parliament. The hot money is on his ‘deputy’ Nathan Guy to succeed him.
All in all a year that promises so much.
- Peter Burke
