Sir John Anderson to Lead Meat Industry Taskforce
NEW ZEALAND - A meat industry taskforce has been set up in New Zealand to look at strategies for advancing the country's red meat industry.
15 January 2008
2 minute read
* "Domestically we need to be looking at the strategic direction of the industry." |
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Meat & Wool New Zealand chairman, Mike Petersen.
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The task force is to be chaired by Sir John Anderson, a hugely respected business leader, who was recently appointed chairman of the New Zealand Venture Investment Fund and the Capital and Coast District Health Board. He is also chairman of TVNZ, New Zealand Cricket and is a director of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
The Meat & Wool New Zealand Board has been examining ways to address declining industry profitability.
Meat & Wool New Zealand chairman, Mike Petersen, said the board was delighted Sir John had agreed to lead a taskforce of industry and independent people.
The terms of reference and membership of the taskforce are still to be decided, but it would have both a domestic industry and market focus.
"Domestically we need to be looking at the strategic direction of the industry – its structure and supply issues plus industry governance matters," Mr Petersen said.
"Meat & Wool New Zealand has been concerned how New Zealand farmers and the wider industry can obtain greater sustainable returns for our premium product."
Mr Petersen said it was clear that the New Zealand sheep industry was in urgent need of an industry initiative that would provide confidence for the future.
"Our industry is worth fighting for and this is a chance to get some new thinking going under the leadership of a well respected business leader like Sir John. We must develop a plan that sheep and beef farmers and the wider industry can have confidence in."
It is intended the taskforce will have its first meeting in February.
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