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CropLife Asia joins call for healthy & sustainable diets

This World Food Day, CropLife Asia proudly joins the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in the call to make healthy and sustainable diets accessible and affordable to everyone – and heralds the innovations of plant science technologies as a key component in realising this pursuit. The latest State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) Report by the FAO reveals that while more than 820 million people around the world suffer from hunger, over 670 million adults and 120 million boys and girls between the ages of 5-19 are obese. Children under five years old are also part of this troubling trend with over 40 million of them being overweight globally. The paradox of how food insecurity is associated with both undernourishment as well as overweight and obesity is prevalent in Asia, where the majority of the undernourished population (more than 500 million) live. In 2018, Africa and Asia bore the greatest share of all forms of malnutrition by accounting for more than nine out of ten of all stunted and wasted children; while nearly three-quarters of all overweight children worldwide also reside in Asia. “The numbers revealed by the FAO SOFI Report are alarming and suggest a crisis is at hand,” said Dr. Siang Hee Tan, Executive Director of CropLife Asia. “Innovations such as crop protection products and plant biotechnology have a role to play in mitigating the debilitating effects of this crisis. These plant science tools are food and nutrition security game-changers that can help Asia’s smallholder farmers not only produce more high-quality food but also mitigate the impacts of climate change.” Biotech crops are developed with improved traits such as increased yield, better resistance to pests and/or improved nutrition, among others. These traits are crucial tools that enable farmers to meet […]

Methane reducing cattle feed one step closer

The Government today announced its support for a project that could substantially reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions from cattle. The announcement was made as part of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor’s visit to Nelson’s Cawthron Aquaculture Park. The Cawthron Institute will receive $100,000 from the Government’s Sustainable Food & Fibre Futures fund to turn a native red seaweed (Asparagopsis armata) in to a greenhouse gas-busting cattle feed supplement for domestic and global markets. “If successful, this project could be a game-changer for farmers here and around the world,” Damien O’Connor said. “In previous trials Asparagopsis has proven to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in livestock by up to 80 per cent. Other products typically provide reductions of between 10 and 20 per cent. “Australian research estimates that if just 10 per cent of global ruminant producers adopted Asparagopsis as an additive to feed their livestock, it would have the same impact for our climate as removing 50 million cars from the world’s roads. “Farmers know better than most about the effects of climate change and many are innovating so that they can drive down on-farm emissions. They need technology like this to help them get there though. “Sustainable agribusiness and transitioning to a low emissions economy is a major focus for the Coalition Government. It’s why we established the $40 million a year SFFF fund last year – to invest in projects that deliver economic, environmental and social benefits for all Kiwis. “Aquaculture is a growth industry for this country and has the potential to play a more significant role in our economy. It’s currently worth $600 million a year and employs over 3000 people. “The Cawthron project could lay the foundations for a new high-value industry, along with the jobs that go with it. There is […]

Fonterra increases 2019/2020 forecast farmgate milk price

Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited today increased its 2019/2020 forecast Farmgate Milk Price range from $6.25 – $7.25 per kgMS to $6.55 – $7.55 per kgMS. The Advance Rate Fonterra pays its farmer owners will be set off the mid-point, $7.05 per kgMS, of the revised range. Fonterra Chairman John Monaghan says the Co-op had been achieving good prices for its milk so far this season. “Demand for whole milk powder (WMP) has been firm, and for the full season we’re expecting it to be above last year. Global WMP production is down year to date and expected to continue to decrease for the remainder of 2019. “We are also continuing to sell our skim milk powder at higher prices than EU and US dairy companies in Global Dairy Trade (GDT) Events.” Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell says there are positive signals for milk price. “It is still very early in the season and a lot can change. There are a number of factors we are keeping a close eye on, which is why we’ve retained a wide forecast milk price range. “These factors include global trade tensions and political instability in some of our key sales regions. And, as is always the case, we cannot predict the weather and clearly weather conditions play a big role in global supply.” Mr Hurrell says the strong demand for the Co-op’s milk and the prices that are being achieved, relative to other milk producing regions, demonstrated the rationale of Fonterra’s new strategy to prioritise New Zealand milk. “One of our four priorities is to support regional New Zealand. If you take the $7.05 mid-point of today’s revision to our forecast Farmgate Milk Price, it’s another $450 million into regional New Zealand.” “Our earnings outlook for FY20 is based on a forecast Farmgate Milk Price, […]

DairyNZ welcomes immigration changes

DairyNZ Chief Executive Dr Tim Mackle has welcomed the announcement that the Government will be streamlining the employer assisted work visa process to help businesses and farms fill skills shortages. “A clear and consistent message we are getting from our farmers is that they are struggling to get good staff on farm. Filling skill shortages is of critical importance to our agricultural sector” Dr Mackle said. “DairyNZ have engaged constructively with the Government in the consultation around these changes and are pleased with the outcome. We support most of the changes, which will make it easier for our farmers, especially those in the regions, to access much needed staff. “We will now work with dairy farmers to ensure they understand what these changes will mean for them from 2021 when the policy comes into place, and also what it might mean in the period before then. “Our existing migrant employees are both highly valued and much needed on farm, so we will be making enquiries with the government to get clarity about what this might mean for them in the interim. “DairyNZ will continue to focus on attracting and retaining New Zealanders into the agricultural sector. We look forward to continuing to work with Immigration NZ to help shape the policy detail to ensure it works for farmers” Dr Mackle concluded.

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Meat Industry Association welcomes Government sector agreement announcement

The Meat Industry Association today welcomed the announcement that the meat processing sector has been invited to negotiate with the Government for one of the first sector agreements for immigration. “Labour shortages have been an ongoing issue for the meat processing sector, which affect our ability to run our plants to the desired capacity and fully process all products,” says MIA chief executive Tim Ritchie. “That deprives processors and farmers of revenue and rural communities of income.” The sector is committed to training and employing New Zealanders first and foremost and works closely with the Ministry of Social Development and regional agencies to recruit people from local communities to work in plants. “However, we still struggle to fill roles from New Zealand’s rural communities and the meat processing sector is approximately 2,000 employees short at present, that’s about eight per cent of our workforce. To fill this immediate gap, we must recruit people from overseas.” A sector agreement is likely to include how the meat industry will attract New Zealanders, improve productivity, offer training and continue to uphold employment standards, said Mr Ritchie. “The meat processing sector, with 25,000 people, is New Zealand’s largest food manufacturer, offering modern technology, training, career progression and competitive wages.” The sector is looking forward to sector agreement negotiations with the Government to deliver benefits to the sector, the regions and ultimately, to all New Zealanders, said Mr Ritchie. “Meat processors are mainly based in the regions, so residential accommodation is available for people coming from overseas. Enabling meat processors to operate at full capacity for the season will provide additional money to the communities in which they operate.” Employing people from overseas is typically more expensive than employing New Zealanders with additional costs including visa support, travel and pastoral care, he said. “The MIA […]

DairyNZ: economic report an inaccurate, trivial attack on farmers

The recent NZIER report trivialises the significant role the dairy sector plays in New Zealand’s economy – and fails to look at the specifics of the Government’s freshwater package, according to DairyNZ. DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle said the report, commissioned by Fish & Game, Forest & Bird and Greenpeace, is less an economic report and more a high-level commentary on the dairy sector’s role in the economy – and paints an inaccurate picture. “This is yet another case of environmental lobbyists targeting dairy farmers – who are people trying to do the right thing by the environment and who are actively working to make changes on-farm to protect it,” said Dr Mackle. “By singling out dairy farmers, they are ignoring other contributors to water quality and, therefore, are limiting our ability to actually fix the problems where they exist. “The NZIER report trivialised dairy’s role in the economy – 3 percent of GDP equates to 28 percent of merchandise exports and one-fifth of goods and services exports coming from the dairy sector. “The NZIER report does not analyse the economic benefits of dairy to regional communities – which is a critical aspect of dairy farming’s contribution to NZ Inc. Dairying is the engine of the regions, in terms of income and jobs. For example, it is the top income earner in Waikato, West Coast and Southland. “Yesterday we saw the latest MPI Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries report which showed dairy makes up $18.1b of $46.4b exports to June 2019. Dairy exports were up $1.47b last year – this has flow-on effects to our communities, where we employ 46,000 people on and off-farm. Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) recently completed an advisory report on the Essential Freshwater Package that showed that national limits for nitrogen and phosphorus […]

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Japan number one market for New Zealand chilled beef

Japan is now New Zealand’s number one market for chilled beef driven by tariff cuts under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). However the gains may be eroded following a US-Japan agreement, according to the Meat Industry Association. In the eight months up until the end of August 2019, NZ beef exports to Japan have increased 22% and 15% by value. In August alone, New Zealand dispatched 679 tonnes of chilled beef to Japan, 26% of the total and a 19% increase compared to August 2018. Sirma Karapeeva, Trade and Economic Manager at the Meat Industry Association, says since the CPTPP came in effect in December last year, overall beef exports to Japan have increased 22% by volume and 15% by value. “So far, we have seen two rounds of tariff cuts on beef into Japan. Pre-CPTPP, our beef exports faced a 38.5% tariff that has now been reduced to 26.6% and will continue to decrease to 9% over the next 15 years. “Effectively, the CPTPP has already saved around $14 million in tariff costs on New Zealand beef exports into Japan.” Prior to CPTPP, New Zealand’s beef market share had been dropping. Across the Tasman, Australia’s 2015 trade agreement with Japan saw its beef exports to Japan soar by $NZ1 billion, while New Zealand’s fell by $NZ25 million. “Under the CPTPP we have now achieved parity with Australia in the market and we are already seeing a rebalance of market share as New Zealand beef has become more competitive.” However, the announcement of a US/Japan trade deal is a cause for concern, says Ms Karapeeva. “Despite the US not being part of the CPTPP and their beef exports to Japan attracting a 38.5% tariff, US exports remain strong. “We are keeping a close eye on the […]

Insurers beef up food recall offering

Specialist liability insurance provider Delta Insurance NZ has responded to the growing risk of food recalls in New Zealand with a more extensive offering for food manufacturers. Delta, New Zealand’s largest kiwi-owned insurer, has released a comprehensive White Paper on the subject of food safety risk in the food manufacturing sector, following up on the company’s introduction of a niche insurance offering for food manufacturers last year. The company’s Chief Executive Officer Craig Kirk says Delta designed the new insurance and prepared the White Paper to fill a perceived need in the sector. “We had seen an alarming increase in the risks for food producers, most glaringly reflected in a leap in the number of food recalls per capita out of this country which were significantly higher than in Australia. “At the same time, the world, including New Zealand, is seeing an increase in the prevalence of allergens in food, and those susceptible to them, increasing the number of food safety issues happening.” The insurance industry had not kept pace with these developments, Kirk adds. “We could also see that existing general liability insurance in the market fell well short of covering the potential risks and damage to companies that could arise from a major food issue.” Kirk says food manufacturing is a vital part of New Zealand’s economy, representing almost 4% of the country’s total GDP but equating to a staggering 71% of manufactured exports. “It’s currently worth around $7 billion, with that figure projected to quadruple to almost $30 billion by 2025. The damage in terms of cost and reputation from a significant food crisis or major issue doesn’t just affect the company concerned; New Zealand’s reputation as a high-quality food producer also suffers.” Kirk says recent alarming instances of food issues in New Zealand included the possible […]

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Robotics Plus wins ANZLF Trans-Tasman Innovation and Growth Award

Robotics Plus, a world-leading robotics and automation company developing innovation to unlock new levels of productivity in some of the world’s most labour-intensive food and fibre value chains, has won an ANZLF Trans-Tasman Innovation and Growth Award. The awards celebrate innovation, growth and impact of emerging businesses in Australia and New Zealand. Robotics Plus was founded in 2013 by Steve Saunders and Dr Alistair Scarfe with a simple goal in mind: to improving the quality, productivity and sustainability of the horticultural and other primary industry supply chains. The company’s R&D efforts focus on automation, vision, robotics and AI, to solve the growing challenges in the primary industry globally such as: labour shortages, sustainability for growers and producers, pollination gaps and yield security. Steve Saunders, Chairman and Founder of Robotics Plus, says: “It’s an absolute honour for the team to receive an ANZLF Trans-Tasman Innovation and Growth Award. It is validation of the hard work of a lot of people over a number of years and celebrates our innovation, culture and diversity. “Receiving such a prestigious award provides a valuable opportunity to showcase Robotics Plus to the world. We would like to recognise our fantastic partners and collaborators in the commercial, research and Government sectors, without them this would not be possible.” Robotics Plus CEO Dr Matt Glenn says the company is experiencing strong growth on the back of increasing demand for its world-first platform technologies. “Over the last 18 months Robotics Plus has launched two commercial products, entered the US and European markets, completed a US$10M Series A investment with Yamaha Motor Company and grown from a team of 12 to over 50. We also have a number of new products in the pipeline and expect our growth to continue at the same rate for the foreseeable future. “We’ve been able to […]

Dairy exports up, providing good ‘nutrition’ for the economy

By Professor Graeme Doole, Principal Economist DairyNZ. The value of New Zealand dairy exports jumped by $1.47 billion to total $18.1 billion in the year ended June 30 – that’s got to be some good nutrition for the New Zealand economy, and help towards providing Kiwis with more of what they say matters to them. It doesn’t take an economist to tell you that if we’re to afford more of what is important to our quality of life here in New Zealand, the economy has to grow – and it has to grow sustainably and responsibly to ensure our future generations can continue to benefit and enjoy a high level of wellbeing. Given our relatively small population base, the way to grow a strong and healthy economy is by increasing exports of high-value products. As New Zealand’s largest exporter of goods, the dairy sector currently sits at 31 percent of total merchandise exports, having grown in value over the past two decades at a compound annual rate of eight percent per year. This remarkable growth has been achieved both through increased milk production and by increasing the value of exports through the ongoing product innovation and skilled, targeted marketing by New Zealand’s dairy processing companies. And it’s also important to note is that this growth is being achieved at the same time the dairy sector is stepping forward to embrace greatly improved environmental practices, both on farm and in processing. Dairy exports are a major driver of New Zealand’s terms of trade – this is the ratio of the value of our exports to the value of our imports. An improvement in a nation’s terms of trade increases the purchasing power of its people as they can afford more imports for a […]

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