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M&WNZ releases new levy proposition

Rural News
M&WNZ releases new levy proposition

M&WNZ has finalised its levy proposal for sheep and beef farmers after an extensive consultation process that began in April this year. Chairman, Mike Petersen said he believed farmers would see that the organisation had listened and responded appropriately to many of the concerns raised in the consultation round. Importantly, the proposal has been unanimously supported by all directors reports Scoop. Farmers told us that they are prepared to invest in their industry, and there was strong support for the activity areas discussed in the consultation round. However there were some caveats alongside this support, including the need for increased funding from companies in market development, and also a plan to access the Government funded Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) where matching funding is available to accelerate innovation programmes. "There was widespread recognition of the lack of a sector strategy and farmers have asked us to take a leading role in ensuring that this work is completed. Farmers are feeling more confident about sheep and beef returns for the coming season, but they want us to do further work alongside the companies to ensure these better returns are captured and secured over a longer period of time." The final proposal reflects concerns raised by farmers in the consultation round that the levy ranges contemplated in the discussion document were too high and would not be supported. Meat & Wool New Zealand is proposing to fund the next five years of activities from a combination of greater meat company contributions, funding from the Government's Primary Growth Partnership, some capital from theNZ Meat Board reserves and a smaller stepped increased in levies over the next five years. "We have tried to strike some balance in the proposal given the wide ranging views that were presented to us during the consultation round. Importantly we have outlined clearer objectives for the organisation, how the activities are going to be funded and how farmers can measure the organisation's progress. "While we accept that not all farmers will agree with everything in the proposal, it is important that if they agree with most of what is proposed for the next five years, that they vote yes and ensure the activities continue."Mr Petersen said farmers will want to know what is different in this proposal, compared to the ideas set out in the discussion document, issued in April. "They will see that the activities have become more focused into three programme areas "“ Farm, Market and People."

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