NZ Dairy 10 year strategy

Prime Minister John Key launched the Strategy for NZ Dairy Farming at a function at Parliament on May 5.  The Strategy sets the direction for the dairy industry for the next decade.  It outlines the ways in which the industry will increase the profitability, sustainability and competitiveness of NZ dairy farmers.  Speaking at the launch, the PM said "The dairy sector is an important part of the  economy, and a vital exporter.  But in coming years the sector faces an increasingly complex set of challenges.  It is in the interests of all NZers that the sector works together to address these challenges and I commend the industry for the work it has done to develop a strategic approach to its future." DairyNZ Chairman John Luxton said the industry has changed significantly since 2004, when the Strategic Framework for NZ's Dairy Farming Future was first developed, and this needed to be reflected in an updated strategy. "DairyNZ, as the industry good organisation, has led the development of the Strategy, with key input from the Dairy Companies Assoc of NZ and also Federated Farmers, as well as many other stakeholders. This is the first time key dairy organisations have come together to meet the challenges facing our industry. "We'll be focusing on realising five outcomes, including increasing on-farm profitability; attracting talented, skilled people into the industry; ensuring an internationally competitive milk supply; enhancing the industry's reputation locally and globally; and achieving shared goals through partnership between industry, government and the community," said Mr Luxton. Lachlan McKenzie, Chair of Federated Farmers Dairy, said key industry organisations must now work together to implement the action plan. "This Strategy guides the action by the three industry partners - DairyNZ, the Dairy Companies Association of NZ (DCANZ) and Federated Farmers - and aims to influence the ways in which government and agribusiness work with the dairy industry.