“It is not about environmental versus economic outcomes.
“Environmental excellence is our only viable strategic pathway forward and many of our leading farmers are already well down this path.
“The Fit for a Better World vision is more than nice words.
“It is a partnership between industry and Government to align activity and investment across science, technology and training.
“It is about ambitious pathways to carbon neutrality and protecting our precious water.”
The council has come up with a mix of short, medium and long-term actions to enable the Government, agencies, Maori, industry bodies, businesses, processors, farmers, fishers, foresters and growers to work together to rebuild a better, stronger, more sustainable and more innovative sector.
“There is significant scope to grow our customer base, building on our sustainable management of natural resources, our trusted regulatory and production systems and our global reputation for honesty and competence.”
Primary Industries director-general Ray Smith said when New Zealand was locked down by covid-19 about 250,000 people in the primary sector continued to work every day.
“We did not let NZ down and we were not vectors for the spread of disease.
“Our entire sector came together and shared insights, ideas and challenges and emerged with a new sense of pride.”
MPI verified more than 11,000 businesses during that time and everyone tried to get it right.
“Now we must lead the recovery.”
Smith said the goals are growing primary sector exports by $44 billion over 10 years, cutting biogenic methane emissions by 27% to 47% and getting 10,000 more people into the workforce over four years.
Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard is pleased to see the emphasis put on trade and the growing of workforce capabilities.
He would not endorse the methane reduction and believes there is not sufficient appreciation of the economic cost of freshwater remediation.
Fit for a Better World encompasses what customers want from NZ food and fibre, he said.
That is food safety, quality, grass-fed, animal welfare and a low carbon footprint.
“We have massive advantages in these areas already and this vision will help deliver what all producers want – increased productivity, biodiversity, succession pathways and work enjoyment.”
National’s primary industries spokesman David Bennett said the plan doesn’t make sense in its ambition to nearly double export earnings while laying down increased environmental requirements.
“We need much more planning for the details of water storage and labour supply, for example.
“Farmers do not need another advisory board to tell them how and where to farm because they get those signals from the marketplace.”
Te Taiao is being put forward as our Origin Green but lacks the building blocks and the tools for implementation, Bennett said.
Silver Fern Farms chairman Rob Hewett said covid-19 has awakened much greater interest in food security and the Fit for a Better World programme will be a great opportunity to re-engage with consumers of our food.
“It will be the Intel Inside mark we can use alongside SFF branding and promotions.
“It certainly has the potential to increase the export earnings of the meat industry.
“We don’t presume that customers will buy more from us. We will have to work for it.”
Dairy NZ chairman Jim van der Poel wants to see the work streams that will follow the launch.
“Everyone accepts the primary sector will lead the way to economic recovery after covid-19.
“Te Taiao has more substance than Ireland’s Origin Green because it defines who we are and how we can position ourselves.”
Van der Poel disagrees with the suggestion the dairy industry’s earning potential has topped out, saying the council’s workings estimate dairy will contribute $6b of the increased $44b by adding more value to its products.
Horticulture NZ said the strategies of its industries align with Fit for a Better World.
President Barry O’Neill said fruit and vegetables are grown here to the highest standards in one of best growing areas in the world.
“It provides us with a distinct competitive advantage due to growers’ focus and investment over several decades.
“But we must continue to ensure we are positioning ourselves for future success, which is exactly what Fit for a Better World challenges us to do.”
The horticulture industries are now worth more than $6b annually and employ about 60,000 people.
