Growers back wool merger
Woolgrowers have almost unanimously voted in favour of the proposed merger of Wools of NZ (WNZ) and Primary Wool Co-operative- owned CP Wool (CPW).
MIE vice-chairman John McCarthy says they look forward to a positive and complementary relationship with the new chair-elect of B&L. "We share the goal of working in the red meat sector for the benefit of all farmers. We also wish Mike Peterson well in his new role as trade envoy and have no doubt that the skills he has honed during his term of B&L chairman will serve him well in his new job."
McCarthy says Parsons has his work cut out in the face of continued decline in sheep numbers and ongoing issues around procurement and returns to farmers.
"We agree with Mr Parsons' comments that the industry needs a game changer," he says. "We see MIE as filling those boots.
"The reality is that since 2007 sheep numbers have fallen from approximately 37 million to an expected 16 million lambs for this season. All parties with an interest in the health of the red meat sector, including MIE and B&L, need to work closely to arrest the decline in numbers and to improve returns to producers," he says.
As a levy-funded organisation, B&L has to focus on putting its resources into initiatives that address the ongoing relationship between the processing and export sectors, and maximise sustainable returns to their farmer suppliers, McCarthy says.
"MIE's goal is to provide a forceful and effective farmer voice for the red meat sector. We look forward to working with Mr Parsons to achieve our shared objective of revitalising a sector that was once the backbone of New Zealand's agricultural production," McCarthy says.
Parsons was appointed chair-elect for B+L by unanimous vote at a September board meetings. The position of chair–elect has been made to allow an orderly transition of leadership following Petersen's decision that he will not seek re-election when his term ends in March 2014.
The final decision on the new chairman will ultimately be made by the new board at the first meeting following the annual meeting next year, but appointing Parsons as chair-elect "sends a very clear signal of the board's intentions at this time", Petersen says.
