Investment strategy sent – now it’s up to farmers

MEDIA RELEASE

15 April 2009

Investment strategy sent – now it’s up to farmers

Over 20,000 sheep and beef farmers have been sent Meat & Wool New Zealand’s Consultation 09 document which outlines investment and funding options for the next five years.

Over the next two months, through to early July, Meat & Wool New Zealand will hold over 50 consultation meetings around the country to explain the proposed investment options in more detail and seek farmer feedback on them. This initial consultation stage is the first part of a two-part process. The second part will see farmers receiving a final proposition for Meat & Wool New Zealand activity for the next five years and it is on that they will have the opportunity to vote through a levy referendum being held in August.

Meat & Wool New Zealand Chairman, Mike Petersen said farmers need to have their say in where the levy investments will be made. 

“Our role quite simply is to invest farmer levies where they will provide the best return for them back on the farm,” he said.  “Only by investing together as a collective group can farmers achieve benefits that none could hope to achieve individually.”

Mr Petersen said the discussion document outlines the strategy, activities and projects the organisation could be involved in to support farmers in the sheep and beef industry.

“We have identified a range of options and investment levels for farmers to consider. But there’s a lot of room for discussion and refinement as we get down to priorities, like how much funding is allocated to each area, and where the funding will come from. We will be asking farmers if they would support using more New Zealand Meat Board Reserves to fund activities, rather than using levies alone.”

Mr Petersen said he was aware many farmers did not know the breadth of Meat & Wool New Zealand’s work, and some did not know how much they paid in levies. Currently levies are $3.60 per head of cattle slaughtered, 40 cents per sheep slaughtered and 5 cents per kg of wool.

“These consultation meetings are the opportunity for farmers to discuss the level of the levy investment and what activities should be carried out by Meat & Wool New Zealand.

“We have built a strong platform during the five years since Meat & Wool New Zealand was formed, and now we all have the opportunity as farmers and levy payers to refine and target our investment programme for the next five years.”

Mr Petersen said it was now over to farmers to give their views either at the meetings or by sending back the consultation response form that has been distributed with the document. 

“Once we’ve heard what farmers have to say, we will incorporate their views into a final proposal for the levy referendum in August.

“The critical point is that, without sufficient farmer support in the August referendum, none of the investments farmers say they want to happen can proceed. So it’s vitally important farmers get to know and understand the options and have their say now before we table the final strategy they will vote on,” Mr Petersen said.

A timetable for the consultation meetings has also been sent out with the Consultation 09 document giving the times and venues of more than 50 consultation meetings. Also included in the consultation pack is a feedback form which gives farmers the opportunity to comment on the consultation document. These forms can either be returned by prepaid mail or given to Meat & Wool New Zealand directors at one of the consultation meetings. Farmers can also call 0800 MEATWOOL (0800 632 896) for further information on the consultation document and referendum process.

“I plan to be at nearly all of these meetings along with the local Meat & Wool New Zealand director, so this is an ideal opportunity for all farmers to come along and to be heard by the organisation,” Mr Petersen said.

To be eligible to vote in the August referendum farmers must register and supply farm and contact details. All farmers who have registered so far will receive a consultation pack. Those who don’t receive a consultation pack may not be registered, or have inaccurate details in the database.
Either way, farmers without a consultation pack by Monday 20 April should contact the Referendum Hotline 0508 666 336 to register and have a pack sent.

“We are very committed to getting a true representation of farmers’ views during the consultation round and through the final levy referendum. To achieve that we need farmers registered to vote,” Mr Petersen says.

Meat & Wool New Zealand is required under the Commodity Levies Act (1990) to seek a new levy order every six years.

The results of the referendum will form a core element of an application for a new levy order to the Minister of Agriculture, who has final authority to approve the levy for the next six years.

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