Last chance to reunite the Bee Industry

Last chance to reunite the Bee Industry

Federated Farmers is calling on the bee industry to unite and ensure they achieve a fully integrated entity peak body.

John Hartnell, Federated Farmers Bee Chairperson says “The bee industry has long needed a more united approach to its activities, whether it’s to do with the government, market access or biosecurity, but it can only be achieved with the whole industry united as one.”

“When you look at the current structure of the industry well less than 1000 are members of an industry body, whilst the industry has 5400 involved. That is our main problem because you end up with 20 percent funding 100 percent of industry good activity.”

“New Zealand’s Apiculture Industry is estimated to have an economic value to the New Zealand economy of over $5billion, but it could be worth so much more if we had the whole industry behind it.”

“Without sufficient funding industry progress is slow and we don’t have a comprehensive understanding of what the industry wants. This is the purpose of forming a united industry peak body that represents the interests of everyone. Before we do this we need to hear what the industry wants.”

John said that at the 2014 New Zealand Apicultural Industry Conference, it was agreed that a change was required in order to achieve a fully inclusive, fully funded industry group structure that will be a strong platform for the future growth and prosperity.

“Since the Conference Catalyst Ltd has been appointed to lead the Industry Unification Project and to undertake a comprehensive survey of industry to investigate the most appropriate model for industry unification.“

“Now we are at the stage of getting the bee industry to participate in the survey about the future of the industry. “

“The survey is now ready for input from all those engaged in the New Zealand Apiculture Industry, whether you are a hobbyist, honey packer, commercial operator or those supplying bee products to industry.”

Hartnell finished by saying “Industry unity is a critical issue, with the survey closing on the 6th of March it is vitally important that everyone takes the time to respond and have an influence on its future.”

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