DairyNZ Urges Continuation Of Strong Science Focus

Friday 23 March 2012

DairyNZ Urges Continuation Of Strong Science Focus

The announcement that a new super ministry is being formed that will incorporate science and innovation has been welcomed cautiously by DairyNZ.

The new ministry will be known as the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment and will incorporate Economic Development, the Department of Labour, the Department of Building and Housing and the Ministry of Science and Innovation.

DairyNZ CEO Tim Mackle says while any change that helps further reinforce better linkages between business and science is welcome, the new ministry will need to ensure that science does not become lost in the new structure.

“We believe that science is a critical enabler for economic development, so in that regard having these areas together does make sense. However, we can’t afford for the focus on science to be in anyway diminished.

“As the dairy industry good organisation, DairyNZ has a crucial focus around science that provides profit, sustainability and competitiveness for the country’s major industry. If the changes that have been brought about with this new ministry mean we can partner with government to achieve even better results, then New Zealand as a whole will benefit,” says Mr Mackle.

Employment and training is also an important investment area for DairyNZ.

“Ensuring we have the people capability in the dairy industry is also a focus for DairyNZ. We need the best people coming though into dairying in order for us to continue to be successful and it is extremely important that the funding from the government and industry in the area of agriculture training is providing the best outcomes.”

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ABOUT DAIRYNZ
DairyNZ is the industry good organisation representing New Zealand’s dairy farmers. We are funded by a levy on milksolids and our purpose is to secure and enhance the profitability, sustainability and competitiveness of New Zealand dairy farming. We deliver value to farmers through leadership, influencing, investing, partnering with other organisations and through our own strategic capability. Our work includes research and development to create practical on-farm tools, leading on-farm adoption of best practice farming, promoting careers in dairying and advocating for farmers with central and regional government. For more information, visit

www.dairynz.co.nz

ENDS

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