Ad-Hoc Approach To Agriculture Puts New Zealand Behind The Rest Of The World

National’s lack of leadership and shambolic approach to the agriculture sector is in danger of leaving New Zealand's primary industries high and dry, Labour rural affairs spokesperson Damien O’Connor said.

Mr O’Connor was responding to a report from KPMG that stated New Zealand agriculture has as little as five years before large-scale intensive farming in South America, western China and central Asia erodes its cost advantage in producing bulk commodities.

"Many would say our cost advantage has gone already, making a focus on quality, food safety and value-add essential.
“Sadly, the National Government scrapped the Fast Forward Fund and its replacement programme has been slow to get running meaning New Zealand’s agricultural science has lost years in development,” Damien O’Connor said.

“The threat of foreign competitors eroding New Zealand’s competitive advantage in international markets lends weight to Labour’s calls for an investigation into alternatives to our monetary policy in order to make our exchange rate more favourable to exporters.

“The National Government’s inability to put together a coherent strategy for taking the New Zealand agricultural sector forward could cost this country dearly if the issues are not resolved and soon.

"The report also identifies the flaw in National's broadband plans that fail to deliver essential telecommunications to the very people and industries that our economy relies upon for innovation and growth. Taxpayer funds need to be invested in the rural areas before metropolitan areas where commercial solutions are possible."

“Despite agriculture being a multi-billion dollar industry the National Government has failed to recognise its importance and has done little to promote it as a thriving industry of the future.

“The Government’s cutbacks to biosecurity have put our industries at risk and its lack of investment in the future of agriculture means this country is in real danger of falling behind the rest of the world,” Damien O’Connor said.

ENDS

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