International organisations testify to Meat & Wool

Media Release
7 August 2009

International organisations testify to Meat & Wool New Zealand’s work

In response to criticism of Meat & Wool New Zealand’s work overseas for farmers, a number of organisations Meat & Wool New Zealand works with have sent letters of support.

The following are comments made by four organisations – two from the Americas and two from the United Kingdom – expressing the value of Meat & Wool New Zealand’s work for local farmers trading in an international market.

International Meat Trade Association

“Meat & Wool New Zealand has played a leading role in maintaining access for New Zealand meat, either through support in the political negotiations or in the resolution of technical problems. It has created and maintained an ‘acceptable and responsible face’ of New Zealand imports to consumers, farmers and officials in many member states.

“We would urge New Zealand farmers to support the continuation of Meat & Wool New Zealand’s activities in Europe and protect New Zealand’s position in the European meat market.”

The International Meat Trade Association represents the interests of importers, exporters and wholesalers of meat, principally in the United Kingdom.

Canadian Cattlemen’s Association

“The list of technical and regulatory barriers that can hurt our competitiveness continue to grow. Therefore we must be ever more diligent in working together to find reasonable solutions to allow us to continue to sustain our industry.

“The active participation of Meat & Wool New Zealand in the Five Nations Beef Alliance is perhaps the best example of how countries can work collaboratively – sharing both human and technical resources. Five Nations is a coalition of like-minded associations from the United States, Australia, Mexico, Canada and New Zealand.

“Five Nations has become an important voice in industry trade circles. In Canada, we often refer to New Zealand’s efforts and work at the Five Nation’s forum work when speaking to both our domestic and international government officials – who recognize the high-level of expertise these initiatives bring to efforts in the international marketplace.”

Brad Wildeman
President

Meat Promotion Wales

“Meat & Wool New Zealand works with similar organisations to help deal with the common market, technical and trade issues that producers face.

“Our collaboration extends beyond market access, to joint market research initiatives and information and technical exchanges i.e. – industry analysis and development, and trade and market intelligence. This collaborative approach benefits farmers in both countries.

“There are an increasing number of technical and regulatory burdens that are impacting on sheep and beef farmers’ freedom to farm and in order to address these challenges we need to work on them collectively.

“Meat & Wool New Zealand is well respected for its technical expertise and collaborative approach.”

Gwyn Howells
CEO

Meat Importers Council of America

“Meat & Wool New Zealand plays an important role in the North American market.

“It is the primary organization providing New Zealand industry input into trade issues that have the potential to impact New Zealand’s meat exports to this region, assisting New Zealand government officials to understand the commercial implications of current and proposed policies and regulations, and making direct representation to US legislative and regulatory bodies

“Meat & Wool New Zealand also plays a major role in building relationships with domestic producer groups and collaborating with industry organizations to foster greater understanding of New Zealand and the high standards and expertise that exist in farming and processing.

“There are increasing technical challenges to imports in the US market, largely the result of food safety issues that have arisen in products sourced from other markets and it is essential that New Zealand have a voice that differentiates it from these incidents. A prominent Congress woman has only recently said that US Department of Agriculture’s approval of meat imports is too lenient toward other countries and the system needs to be reviewed and perhaps overhauled. While these comments are not directed towards New Zealand that is not how it comes across with all supplying countries implicated.

“The example of other major exporting countries provides further support for the importance of an organization that represents New Zealand producers in world markets. Australia, Argentina, Uruguay, US, Canada and Ireland are all major exporters and all have similar organizations that represent their industries in export markets. Can New Zealand afford to not be represented when the export market is more important to New Zealand producers than to any of the countries listed?

“Ultimately the implications of market issues fall back on the farm sector which has no one to pass it on to. Along the way these issues also impact other sectors in the chain, especially when the future availability of product is affected because farmers are forced to cut back. Meat & Wool New Zealand plays an important information and support role within the farm to market supply chain to minimize the impact of these issues.”

Laurie Bryant
Executive Director

ENDS

© Scoop Media