Hawke's Bay to the world
Rockit chief executive Mark O'Donnell says consumer awareness for the brand continues to improve each year.
The Government is now backing a Green Party bill requiring country of origin labelling (CoOL) on single ingredient food such as fruit and meat.
Prime Minister Bill English says the change of heart is prompted by consumer preference as roundly discussed in National’s caucus. “It’s reflecting pretty strong consumer preferences.”
The Consumers’ Right to Know (Country of Origin of Food) Bill will have its first reading in parliament soon and will go to select committee after National agreed to support it.
It will require mandatory CoOL for fresh single ingredient foods such as meat, fruit, vegetables, nuts oils and flour.
English says National will decide after the select committee process whether to continue to support it into law.
Horticulture New Zealand has congratulated the government on backing the bill.
“Given that our recent survey showed more than 70% of NZers want mandatory CoOL for fresh fruit and vegetables, it is great to see the government listened to that,” Horticulture NZ chief executive Mike Chapman says.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
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.