Speaking at the launch of the B+LNZ levy referendum campaign Parson said farmers had said they wanted a stronger voice, particularly on issues like health and safety, the environment and regulation.
Sheep meat and beef producers, including dairy farmers through their cull cows, will have the chance to continue funding activities and programmes for the next six years when voting opens on August 8.
B+LNZ chairman James Parsons said the Commodity Levies Act required farmers to vote to continue new levy orders every six years and a yes vote would enable B+LNZ’s activities to carry on.
A no vote would mean B+LNZ would be wound down and all its programmes would end.
B+LNZ launched the referendum campaign at its farmer council annual conference in Wellington.
The conference brought together 100 farmers who made up the seven farmer councils nationwide that provided grassroots input to the organisation.
Parsons said the proposed levy rates from 2016 to 2017 were to remain unchanged at 60 cents a sheep and $4.40 a cattle beast.
Under the Commodity Levies Act, a maximum levy must also be set for the six-year cycle.
For sheep it would be set at 75 cents a head and beef $5.50 a head.
If farmers wanted more investment in certain areas then the maximum levy provided some flexibility within the next six years.
However, there would need to be very strong farmer support for any adjustment to the levies beyond 2017.
“We’re proposing a programme that will continue the momentum of the past six years, carrying on activities that farmers have told us are important.
“For example 17,269 people attended 356 farmer events last year to learn something new to take back to their farming business so we’ll be building on that.”
In addition, 130 B+LNZ project farm sites tested techniques and tools to improve profitability or save money.
“The organisation’s market access activities alongside the Government have achieved tariff savings of $161 million in 2014 and that work remains an important activity.
“So does our support for bright young people seeking a career in our sector.
“Farmers have also told us they want their organisation to have a stronger voice with Government and policymakers in the areas of health and safety, the environment and on other regulatory issues which impact their farming business.
“They want to see sensible and workable rules and regulations and we will be doing more work in these areas over the next six years, alongside others in the sector.”
Parsons said in previous referenda farmers had voted to have an organisation that was their own, had their backs and spoke up on important issues that affected their ability to get on with what they love – farming.
“Farmers created B+LNZ to look after their interests and have their backs – so they could focus on their farming businesses.
“I’m encouraging farmers across NZ to have their say and try to attend one of the 53 regional roadshow meetings being held throughout NZ between August 12 and 28.”
They can see the roadshow calendar at beeflambnz.com/referendum. – BusinessDesk
