WELLINGTON - The Green party has proposed a solution to Prime Minister Helen Clark's call for New Zealand to find a niche market in the global economy - organic farming.
Green co-leader Rod Donald said New Zealand had to give its clean, green image substance.
"We have this brand, 100 per cent pure New Zealand, and the way to turn that into dollars is to go organic."
Mr Donald said the Greens' policy was for New Zealand to be an organic nation by 2020.
"The solution [to the Prime Minister's call] is staring us in the face. Let's take some steps to achieve it."
Mr Donald said organic produce was popular overseas and net returns were higher than on traditional produce.
But one of the biggest problems was helping growers through the three-year transition to organics. The challenge was not the cost but the potential risk associated with crops failing in the early stages, he said.
Parliament's primary production committee is carrying out an inquiry into organic farming.
- NZPA
Clean, green and organic seen as way to go for NZ
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.