29 April 2013
MPI’s loss is LIC’s gain but Primary still comes out on top
The resignation of Wayne McNee, Ministry for Primary Industries Director-General, to take up the position of Chief
Executive at Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC), will still see this talented person working in and for New
Zealand’s primary industries.
“This role shows the versatility of Wayne who has performed to a very high standard with the public service and now
departs for a high profile leadership role in a company important to New Zealand agriculture,” says Bruce Wills,
President of Federated Farmers.
“Wayne has put the Ministry on the right path for farmers following the merger of the old MAF with the Ministry of
Fisheries. I feel disappointed in one regard because he leaves it, just when we are starting to see the fruits of his
work appear in this new and dynamic Ministry.
“I know Wayne believes New Zealand agriculture can lead the world and LIC is positioned to help achieve that. LIC itself
has annual revenues of around $177 million built on world beating livestock genetics.
“Wayne will be joining LIC at a time when it moves to transfer the New Zealand Dairy Core Database to DairyNZ; the
industry good body. There is also work for Wayne in building LIC’s trusted brand.
“It is a big move and this sort of interchange between private and public needs to happen more as it benefits both
sides. Because this move seems unusual, Federated Farmers needs to ask why this private-public interchange does not
happen more often.
“Federated Farmers, like everyone else wishes Wayne success and given our members have a close relationship and overlap
with LIC, we look forward to working with him,” Mr Wills concluded.
ENDS