Big turnout predicted for meat industry meeting

"We even have farmers coming down from the North Island to attend this meeting," he says.

A committed group of Canterbury farmers has been working hard to ensure the success of this meeting, as their future relies on a nationwide mandate of farmer support so as to move forward as one united farmer group, Gallagher says.

MIE chairman Richard Young will present a five point strategy plan at the meeting, which he believes will give farmers some direction on how to move forward if a NZ wide farmer mandate is achieved.

It is important that communication lines are kept open with all industry players, Young says, but "that does not mean we are getting into bed with them".

Attendance at the Christchurch meeting will give farmers a clearer picture of "what we are going to achieve, we cannot let this opportunity slip by", he says. "We will not allow this process to be derailed, it is too important."

The full focus of MIE is to consolidate the widespread support received from the whole country and let farmers know how industry change can be achieved.

Christchurch is the next stage in establishing the NZ wide mandate and gives northern South Island farmers a chance to hear keynote speakers, comment on the Six Principle Reform Vision for the meat industry and be part of the MIE Industry Reform Pathway.

Key speakers are Keith Woodford, from Lincoln University; Hamish Gow, from Massey University and John Brakenridge, from New Zealand Merino Company.

The meeting will be held at 2pm at Wigram Air Force Museum, 45 Harvard Ave, Wigram Park.