May 4, 2009

New Zealand to launch strategy for dairy farming

Prime Minister John Key will launch the Strategy for New Zealand Dairy Farming on Tuesday (May 5).

The Strategy is an update to the "The Strategic Framework for New Zealand's Dairy Farming Future" written in 2004, and takes into account all of the changes since then, including the focus on environmental issues, the relationship between dairy farming and the public, labour shortages and new international competitors.

• Increasing farm profitability by NZ$110/ha/year.
  
  
• Retain and attract talented and skilled people to the industry
  
  
• Maximise returns to farmers through an internationally competitive milk supply.
  
  
• Boost industry reputation locally and globally.
  
  
• Achieve shared goals through partnership between the industry, the government and the wider community.

Meanwhile, Bryce Johnson, chief executive of the New Zealand Fish & Game Council, said the group is looking for the Strategy to recognise the problem of intensive agriculture's adverse environmental effects, and address solutions and implement specific measurable performance milestone.