Prime Minister Launches Dairy Industry Strategy

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EMBARGOED until 6:30pm 5 May 2009
 

Prime Minister Launches Dairy Industry’s 10 Year Strategy

Prime Minister John Key tonight [5th May] launched the Strategy for New Zealand Dairy Farming at a function at Parliament.  The Strategy sets the direction for the dairy industry for the next decade.  It outlines the ways in which the industry will increase the profitability, sustainability and competitiveness of New Zealand dairy farmers. 

Speaking at the launch, the Prime Minister said "The dairy sector is an important part of the New Zealand economy, and a vital exporter.  But in coming years the sector faces an increasingly complex set of challenges.  It is in the interests of all New Zealanders that the sector works together to address these challenges and I commend the industry for the work it has done to develop a strategic approach to its future."

DairyNZ Chairman John Luxton said the industry has changed significantly since 2004, when the Strategic Framework for New Zealand’s Dairy Farming Future was first developed, and this needed to be reflected in an updated strategy.

“DairyNZ, as the industry good organisation, has led the development of the Strategy, with key input from the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand [DCANZ] and also Federated Farmers, as well as many other stakeholders. This is the first time key dairy organisations have come together to meet the challenges facing our industry.

“We’ll be focusing on realising five outcomes, including increasing on-farm profitability; attracting talented, skilled people into the industry; ensuring an internationally competitive milk supply; enhancing the industry’s reputation locally and globally; and achieving shared goals through partnership between industry, government and the community,” said Mr Luxton.

Lachlan McKenzie, Chair of Federated Farmers Dairy, said key industry organisations must now work together to implement the action plan.

“This Strategy guides the action by the three industry partners - DairyNZ, the Dairy Companies Association of NZ (DCANZ) and Federated Farmers - and aims to influence the ways in which government and agribusiness work with the dairy industry.

“To achieve the Strategic aims, different activities will be carried out by different parts of the industry.  Now that the Strategy is finalised, the next step for the industry is to collectively determine the action plan, including which organisations are responsible for delivering results,” he said.

Malcolm Bailey, Chair of DCANZ, said processors will build on the Strategy to ensure the country’s competitive milk supply achieves the best value.

“The New Zealand dairy system is recognised internationally as a supplier of milk that is the world’s best in terms of food safety, processability and intrinsic value.  Over the next decade, processors will contribute to accomplishing the Strategy by achieving gains in milk value throughout the processing and marketing chain,” said Mr Bailey.

Mr Luxton said “If New Zealand dairy farmers are to retain their status as the world’s best pastoral dairy farmers and remain internationally competitive, we must achieve the five strategic outcomes.   To this end, progress will be reported against annually to enable the industry to measure itself and ensure it retains the profitability, sustainability and competitiveness of New Zealand dairy farming.”

All New Zealand dairy farmers have been posted a summary of the Strategy for New Zealand Dairy Farming.  Others wanting a copy can download it from www.dairynz.co.nz/industrystrategy

-ENDS-

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