McRae Wins Southern South Island B+LNZ Director Vote
Matt McRae, a farmer from Mokoreta in Southland who runs a sheep, beef and dairy support business alongside a sheep stud, has been elected to the Beef +Lamb NZ Board as a farmer director.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has been elected to the Board of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) for a two-year term commencing November 2023.
The GRSB is a global initiative developed to advance continuous improvement in the sustainability of the global beef value chain through leadership, science, engagement, and collaboration.
Members of the GRSB come from more than 24 countries and include producer organisations, processors, retailers, national roundtables, and NGOs.
B+LNZ chief executive Sam McIvor says being elected to the GSRB Board is an acknowledgement of the hard work New Zealand sheep and beef farmers have undertaken to enhance on-farm sustainability.
“New Zealand is recognized as an international leader in this regard and our involvement with the GRSB offers an opportunity to continue working with others to tackle the challenges faced by global beef farmers,” McIvor says.
“The GRSB allows B+LNZ to influence global discussions and policies that will benefit New Zealand sheep and beef farmers.”
He says that advocating through the GRSB Board position provides greater weight to B+LNZ’s advocacy efforts than if the organization was to act independently.
“For instance, B+LNZ is working with the GRSB and other organisations at COP28 this year to promote the use of a warming approach to agricultural methane emissions,” McIvor explains.
“We see the recognition of appropriate metrics as a key issue for all beef farmers and New Zealand is recognized as being at the forefront of this issue,” he says.
B+LNZ also sits on the board of the New Zealand Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (NZRSB).
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