Winners and losers
The main beneficiaries of the EU FTA will be kiwifruit, onions, honey, wine and seafood.
"As both Gisborne and Te Kuiti are major sheep producing areas, it is important that they be given the opportunity to be part of the meat industry's change process," says John McCarthy, MIE executive member.
"The MIE initiative is based around the premise that the industry model is broken.
"The 'Boom and Bust' model is not serving any of its participants well and needs serious attention if sheep and sheep farmers are to have a future.
"MIE is focused on an orderly process and the first part is to get a mandate from the grassroots, hence why we are having these meetings.
"Farmers are sick of two good years in 10, they are sick of being told to lift their performance only to have their efforts eroded by company schedules and an apparent lack of marketing strategies.
"Drought is one thing but returns resembling an ECG machine you'd find in a hospital is no future. Meat Industry Excellence stands for creating that viable future and farmers can learn more at our latest meetings next week.
"Pass the message on about them," McCarthy says.
Meeting details for Gisborne & Te Kuiti
Gisborne: 2pm Wednesday, May 15. Bushmere Arms, 673 Matawai Rd, Gisborne
Te Kuiti: 2pm Friday, May 17. Waitomo Cultural and Arts Centre, Corner of King and Jennings St, Te Kuiti.
