The red meat sector’s contributes $12 billion in income to the economy and employs almost 5% of the full-time workforce.
The study commissioned by the Meat Industry Association and Beef + Lamb shows the meat processing and exporting sector is also responsible for $4.6b in household income and represents a fifth of New Zealand’s productive sector.
The release of the research by S G Heilbron Economic and Policy Consulting coincides with B+LNZ and the MIA launching a joint manifesto ahead of the election.
They say political parties must work with the red meat sector as partners to re-build the economy.
The policy blueprint also identifies the challenges and opportunities in environmental issues, trade and market access, animal welfare, food safety, biosecurity, innovation, employment relations, immigration and health and safety.
Association chief executive Sirma Karapeeva says the research shows the importance of the sector to the economy and regions.
“The Government has a huge, once-in-a-generation task ahead of it.
“The priority post covid-19 must be ensuring we have our long-term policy settings and infrastructure right. Open and predictable market access is vital for the ongoing success of our export-focused sector as it creates a stable and level international playing field in which our exporters can prosper and thrive.”
B+LNZ chief executive Sam McIvor says the red meat sector’s contribution to the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of the country is significant and the industry has underlined its resilience and its importance in the wake of covid-19.
“Covid-19 has caused extraordinary damage to people’s lives, livelihoods and economies across the globe. It will take some time for the world to recover from the impact.
“It’s important that when making any decision about the recovery and the future, the country must ask itself what is good for exports, employment, productivity and the environment?”
A key concern is the impact of various Government policies that incentivise the conversion of sheep and beef farms into forestry because of the negative impacts on rural communities.
“The sector wants limits on the ability of fossil fuel polluters to offset their emissions by planting exotic trees on farms.
“We need to better understand and utilise our water resources. This includes water capture, storage and distribution to meet both productive and urban needs. We do not lack water in NZ – we lack the understanding and infrastructure to use it in a way that meets our economic, social, cultural and environmental requirements. It can be done.”
Water storage, research and development and connectivity are also areas integral to the sector’s continued success.
“Globally, consumers seek out our products thanks to the work farmers have done to establish free-range, grass-fed, natural farming systems and it is our time to lead NZ’s economic recovery.”
MORE: Read the report
