RMA amendments 'will be a relief to farmers'
The Government’s announcement that a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) could be introduced in Parliament next month will be a relief to farmers, says Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ).
A new survey of the threats posed by alternative proteins to New Zealand’s red meat farmers also shows a wealth of opportunities, says Beef + Lamb New Zealand (BLNZ).
The report, commissioned by BLNZ, identifies threats to NZ and suggests how the new proteins can be tackled.
The rise of alternative proteins has been rapid, fueled by millions of dollars from cash-rich tech companies, often headed by passionate alternative meat advocates pushing product onto shelves alongside traditional proteins.
One alternative is now on our shelves: the NZ company SunFed Meats claims to be this country’s first non-animal protein company and its non-chicken ‘chicken’ is available in NZ stores.
The BLNZ survey identifies NZ’s critical US burger beef market as the most vulnerable to gains in alternative protein sales.
Long a market taking NZ grass-fed beef and blending it with fattier US feedlot-sourced beef, it buys almost half NZ’s beef exports.
In the report, BLNZ chief executive Sam McIvor notes large scale production of “non-meat” patties and mince is likely within five years, and the rise of alternative proteins has big drivers.
These include concerns about climate change, the sustainability of animal farming, the use of animals in food production and health issues in eating meat.
But the report is not a doom-and-gloom prospectus for NZ pastoral farming; instead it contains notable positives for farmers and the industry to pursue.
McIvor points to a growing, but almost untapped, demand for grass-fed red meat reared without hormones or antibiotic use in natural environments.
He says this is a product consumers are prepared to pay a big premium for.
Ironically the US market -- the one most vulnerable to alternative meat patties -- offers the greatest potential. There grass-fed beef sales have doubled every year since 2012, reaching at least $330,000,000 in sales in 2016. Premium grass-fed beef burger sales are booming.
And beef consumption is expected to keep rising, with forecasts of 12.8 million tonnes by 2026. China’s growth is expected by then to have risen 50% to 9.5m tonnes.
McIvor says NZ has a valuable opportunity to capitalise on these trends towards ‘natural’ beef. Global population growth will allow NZ plenty of scope to feed the world’s “wealthiest 40 million people, rather than trying to feed everyone,” he says.
Cashing in on these opportunities will rely on the NZ brand – integrity and validity. This will soon be underscored by a branding promotion -- ‘NZ story’ -- due for wide release in April. It has been tested in India, China, the US and United Arab Emirates.
The ‘NZ Story’ is the work of six meat companies; it has had positive feedback during test marketing.
“This has given marketers confidence that despite alternative proteins’ threat, consumers will not turn their backs on red meat if they can see it is natural and grass raised.”
McIvor adds that NZ beef’s integrity has also been assured from farmgate to the processing plant.
Farmers are now writing farm environment plans, fencing waterways and seeing to animal welfare.
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
World Veterinary Day falls on Saturday 27 April.
The Director General of MPI, Ray Smith says it's important for his department to celebrate the success of a whole range of groups and people around the country.
A small company which mobilised veterinarians around the country to deal with Mycoplasma bovis was one of the winners in this year's Biosecurity Awards, held at Parliament.
One of the country's top Māori sheep and beef farms is facing a five-year battle to get back to where it was before Cyclone Gabrielle struck just over 14 months ago.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…