Farmers Encouraged To Have Say On Strategy

FARMERS ENCOURAGED TO GO ONLINE AND HAVE THEIR SAY ON MEAT SECTOR STRATEGY

Sheep and beef farmers are being encouraged to have their say in the development of the red meat sector strategy and they can do so by making a submission online.

The Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) website www.beeflambnz.com links to the submission form.

Deloitte is working on behalf of B+LNZ, the Meat Industry Association (MIA), the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, to develop the strategy and they want to hear from farmers who have views on production information, market behaviour and the perceived strengths and weaknesses of the sector.

B+LNZ Chairman, Mike Petersen said this phase of the strategy process involves collecting data and views from a variety of sources from farm to market.

"This is the opportunity for all farmers to have their say and provide the perspectives that will help shape the strategy.

"While Deloitte is conducting many interviews with people linked throughout the supply chain, it's not possible to talk one on one to all 22,000 sheep and beef farmers and so providing submissions through the online link is an effective way to feed into the process."

Mr Petersen said Deloitte will collate and analyse the information they collect and then come back to the sector with initial strategic themes in a consultation process planned before Christmas.

“That is the time everyone will get to see and debate initial ideas for improved sector performance before recommendations are finalised by March 2011."

Mr Petersen said completing the online submission should take around 30 minutes and this opportunity would be open to farmers until 5 pm Monday 4 October. All submissions would be strictly confidential to Deloitte.

"This is a significant piece of work for the industry, and the country. No other study in recent memory has conducted such a comprehensive analysis from market to farm so we can be assured the options this strategy comes up with are based on real data, address real issues and present real opportunities.

"It will then be up to all industry participants to challenge themselves and each other to act and collaborate on the opportunities highlighted in the strategy."

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