Job losses worry meat sector
New Zealand's meat processing industry says, while it supports moves away from coal, it has some major concerns about cuts to livestock numbers as proposed in the recent Climate Change Commission’s draft report.
That's the massage to farmers from MIE chairman John McCarthy. He says no matter what the on farm workload, it is vital farmers make the time to vote in elections for farmer-elected directors at their co-op.
"It's a busy time of year, and sometimes taking time to read voting packs, and to cast a vote can be just one more thing on the 'to do' list," says McCarthy.
"But the voting process is a very important component of our farm businesses because change is coming to our industry, in my view this is our chance to manage the change process and to push for the results we want," he says.
According to McCarthy, farmer participation in last year's elections has been instrumental in changes underway at both co-ops. Not only did it help elect excellent directors, but it also sent a strong message to the co-op boards.
"As a grassroots, voluntary farmer organisation all MIE can do is provide good information, identify the issues, propose options and give farmers choices," says McCarthy
"We know it's the companies themselves that will need to lead the change. But we also want farmers to be very engaged with the process."
McCarthy remains heartened by the level of support for reform from the non-cooperative members of the Meat Industry fraternity. He acknowledges that a single co-op with scale would give NZ the ability to conduct meaningful negotiations with the supermarket, currently the major buyers of red meat products.
"These assets of our co-ops are every bit as important to farmers as the stock on our farms and the tractors in our sheds. Farmers need to think about these assets as their own, and ask how they want to see them governed," says McCarthy.
MIE is hosting a series of South Island meetings this week to give farmers a chance to talk to and hear from candidates directly.
Details of South Island candidate meetings
Pleasant Point: 7.30pm, November 24th, Steam On Inn
Guest speaker: John Monaghan
Kurow: 9am, November 25th, Kurow Hotel (Top Pub)
Guest speaker: John Monaghan
Milton: 2pm, November 25th, Milton Country Club
Guest speaker: John Monaghan
Heriot: 7.30pm, November 25th, Heriot Community Centre
Guest speaker: Ross Hyland
Clinton: 9.30am, November 26th, Clinton Community Centre
Guest speaker: Ross Hyland
Tokonui: 2pm, November 26th, Tokonui Tavern
Guest speaker: Rod Oram
Gore: 7.30pm, November 26th, Longford Tavern
Guest speaker: Rod Oram
Tuatapere: 9.30am, November 27th, Waiau Hotel
Guest speaker: Rod Oram
Winton: 2pm, November 27th, Top Pub
Guest speaker: Rod Oram
Mossburn: 7.30pm, November 27th, Mossburn Community Centre
Guest speaker: Rod Oram
