Primary Industry Summit Will Debate Environment

Primary Industry Summit Will Debate Environment

The New Zealand Primary Industry Summit is due to be held on 25-26 May 2015 at Te Papa in Wellington. The event will bring together key decision-makers in the agribusiness sector to explore strategies for value growth.

Economics, trade agreements, regulation and business development will all play a major part in discussions, however from a 'sustainable land and water management' perspective a highlight will come in the form of a facilitated roundtable discussion entitled 'Is New Zealand primary industry doing enough to protect the environment?'

With NZ's clean green image under scrutiny from international consumers and a rising number of examples of the economic costs associated with getting things wrong, the answer to this question has potentially huge ramifications for business in this country, particularly our international exports.

The panel will include Federated Farmers Environmental Spokesperson and representative on NZ Landcare Trust Board of Trustees Ian Mackenzie. Ian said, "I'm looking forward to the debate, it will present an excellent opportunity to highlight many of the good practices that farmers are leading, such as the community catchment work facilitated by NZ Landcare Trust."

The other panellists are Massey University scientist Mike Joy, who has voiced strong views on water quality in New Zealand, Brendan Hoare Chair of Organics Aotearoa New Zealand and Jon Manhire from Agricultural Research Group on Sustainability. The session will be facilitated by the well respected international Business Journalist Rod Oram.

The debate will present an opportunity to hear a range of strategies and opinions. While it is unlikely that a consensus will be reached, it is significant that strategic thinkers within the agribusiness sector view the environment as an increasingly important component within wider business and economic strategies. Looking to the future it is clear that sustainable farming is a necessity rather than an option.

This importance was underlined in a recent NZ Landcare Trust workshop where guest speaker Dr Morgan Williams spoke about the economic value of sustainable farming. He stated that the greatest value comes when environmentally sustainable farming systems become part of an 'integrity story' that supports products in the market. Morgan added that farmers need to create creditable stories about their product origins. Stories that are exciting and that project images of ecological integrity which reflect the ethos of the farm business.

Returning to the Primary Industries Summit, other sessions will look at the role of branding and how to add value, both of which will provide further opportunity to consider the merits of sustainable practices. In addition, the role of science and innovation will be discussed - another area of interest for NZ Landcare Trust given our experience bringing farming communities and scientists together to share information.

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