7 October 2013

Federated Farmers aids New Zealand’s agricultural diplomacy

Federated Farmers has successfully tabled a paper at the World Farmers Organisation that could greatly contribute to New Zealand’s global agricultural diplomacy.

“I am pleased to say New Zealand’s proposal to invite farming organisations has been warmly received by the World Farmers Organisation and will further our country’s global outreach and engagement,” says Bruce Wills, Federated Farmers President.

“The World Farmers Organisation is currently writing to our Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to agree a programme for farmers from developed or developing countries to travel to New Zealand for an agri-tech study tour.

“We envisage each visit will be coordinated by MPI but will involve industry good bodies, research institutions and ourselves. It will enable visiting farmers to spend two to three weeks working alongside our farming community and agricultural science sectors.

“This intensive engagement is expected to create opportunities to exchange experience, discuss areas of new and potential research as well as farm management practices.

“The programme has the specific objective of sharing experiences and to discuss technology transfer needs, especially the on-farm application of research into agricultural greenhouse mitigation technology.

“It seems we are more renown for agricultural greenhouse research outside of New Zealand than we are domestically. I hope that greater local attention will focus on what we are doing practically, to improve the environmental and economic performance of global agriculture.

“Simply put, our best contribution to global climate change mitigation should be on building and running efficient food production systems. This could become a game changer for how New Zealanders define what our leadership in climate change ought to be.

“The Global Research Alliance provides a positive environment for discussing actions to reduce agricultural greenhouse gases. Developing direct relationships with farmers and farmer organisations is of increasing interest to the Global Research Alliance Council.

“This is also where Federated Farmers comes in.

“We are the bridge to those farmers and those farmer organisations being a member of the WFO and the current Oceania Board member. This programme is now being agreed between the WFO and our MPI but it will advance New Zealand’s agricultural diplomacy.

“I am pleased to say the reaction of the World Farmers’ Organisation has been extremely positive, as has our own Ministry for Primary Industries,” Mr Wills concluded.

ENDS

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