News

New Zealand sheep meat and beef slaughter levies held steady

Sheep Central, October 11, 2017

Beef + Lamb New Zealand chairman James Parsons.

NEW Zealand sheep meat and cattle producer slaughter levies will remain unchanged for the coming year, Beef + Lamb NZ has announced.

B+L NZ chairman James Parsons said the sheep meat levy on all sheep slaughtered in the year from from October 1 would remain at NZ60 cents a head and the beef levy, on all cattle slaughtered (including beef cattle and dairy cattle but excluding bobby calves), would be NZ$4.40 per head, GST exclusive.

“We’ve recently completed a consultation round with farmers where we asked for feedback on our updated strategy through to 2022 and also what we’re committing to in the year ahead.

“Farmers have reinforced the issues that matter most to them and given us strong direction,” Mr Parsons said.

“Some key areas are improved promotion of our products in partnership with processors, better extension and an influential voice with government to ensure farmers’ backs are covered on issues such as biosecurity, environment and compliance issues.

“It’s pleasing to see farmers are getting real value out of our recent workshops and seminars across some of these key issues, particularly health and safety and environmental planning, and they want more,” he said.

Mr Parsons said there was an urgency to see the New Zealand red meat story told, ensuring urban audiences and global customers understood the sector, its value and market difference.

“Farmers want to promote the value of New Zealand’s natural pasture fed beef and lamb and high-quality farming systems and draw in consumers with that story, especially as synthetic proteins emerge more into the market.”

Mr Parsons said farmers want better connections with all New Zealanders to ensure they better understand that farmers value the environment, and are making big efforts to protect and enhance it.

“At the same time, they want support for more actions and solutions, more environmental planning workshops and tools to help measure the impact of what they’re doing to improve the environment and more engagement with government to ensure practical policies are in place.”

Mr Parsons says the newly refreshed Beef + Lamb NZ strategy for the next five years reflected farmer feedback and set a vision, priorities and goals to achieve by 2022.

“Ultimately, it’s about profitable farmers and thriving rural communities valued by all New Zealanders.

“That’s what farmers want and they’ve given us fantastic feedback to ensure we’re focused on what matters to get there.”

Source: Beef + Lamb NZ.

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