Meat industry bodies in New Zealand have released a manifesto for the sector ahead of the country’s general election this year.
Beef and Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) and the Meat Industry Association (MIA) have jointly announced their election demands, with the country set to go the the polls in November.
These groups have called for safeguarding and improving market access; managing supply chain disruptions; resource management reform; and predictability on climate change policy to be prioritised by any new government.
Political parties have been called on to support sheep and beef farmers and red meat exporters in navigating global volatility.
Manifesto
The manifesto lists nine specific demands, covering areas like enhanced market access; affordable energy and fuel; rewarding farmers for biodiversity measures; and preventing the “wholesale” conversion of sheep and beef farms into carbon farms.
Commenting on the manifesto, MIA chairperson Nathan Guy said: “Global demand for our products remains strong, and despite reduced export volumes, the outlook is positive.
“”However, the erosion of global trade rules and a rise in protectionism makes free trade agreements and the protection of current market access more important than ever.
“New Zealand needs to do everything it can to seize market opportunities, particularly markets with great prospects such as India.
“This provides the sector with options and creates resilience, supporting farmgate returns and the national economy,” he said.
The meat industry leader called on any incoming government to provide support to ensure New Zealand can address specific trade issues arising from protectionist policies and tactics in “an increasingly volatile international marketplace”.
Middle East conflict
Also commenting on the manifesto, B+LNZ chairperson Kate Acland said that the conflict in the Middle East is evidence of how global events can impact the sector.
She called on the incoming government to provide predictability and certainty in “areas it can control” to enable farmers and exporters to “get on with business”.
Acland also called for “effective and enduring solutions across all environmental policy”.
B+LNZ and the MIA noted that the farmers and processors are highly exposed to national energy security issues, particularly fuel availability, electricity reliability and price volatility.
Guy said: “Fuel and energy settings must support the continuity of the entire red meat system, including on-farm operations, feed and fertiliser application, processing plants, transport corridors, ports, and essential supporting services,
“If New Zealand is forced to move to fuel rationing, the red meat system needs to be prioritised as an essential industry because disruptions will increase animal welfare, workforce, economic and market access risks.”
The two organisations also want to see the red meat sector to work with the incoming government to recognise importance of agriculture in schools, so that students understand that agriculture is “fundamental to New Zealand’s future”.