Farmers' votes are 'vital'

Referendum campaign will outline the reasons for farmers to continue investing in programmes run by B+LNZ.

Farmers are being encouraged to vote in the Beef + Lamb New Zealand referendum in September to have a say in the future of the organisation and how levy money is spent.

Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty provincial president Rick Powdrell said it was vital farmers understood and were involved in the process.

"It is highly important because at the end of the day this is about levy money collected from farmers. Farmers need to be involved in the process and understand what their money is going to be spent on and make a decision on that basis."

It was the same old story, Mr Powdrell said, "if you are not involved and not informed, you know you'll get what you are given."

B+LNZ chief executive Dr Scott Champion said farmers voted every six years on whether the organisation should continue.

"The levy referendum is entirely about continuity of business. By law, we need a 'yes' vote to continue our work on behalf of farmers. A 'no' vote would mean that B+LNZ would be wound down and all the programmes carried out on behalf of farmers by B+LNZ would end," he said.

Voting would be in September and open to all sheep, beef and dairy farmers, as long as they were registered on the B+LNZ electoral roll and owned livestock on June 30, 2015.

A referendum campaign next month would outline the reasons for farmers to continue investing in programmes run by B+LNZ, that were designed to support a confident sector with improved farm productivity, profitability and performance.

"Beef + Lamb New Zealand is by farmers, for farmers - that's why it's important that all farmers owning livestock at June 30, 2015, ensure they are on the roll and their details are up to date. We want everyone to have their say," said Dr Champion.

He stressed that receiving email correspondence from B+LNZ does not necessarily mean farmers were on the electoral roll.

"Farmers often think they are automatically registered as a livestock owner, but that's not the case. Even if you get mail from us or have processed stock and paid a levy, you may not be registered."

B+LNZ was funded and directed by farmers via commodity levies paid on all sheep, beef and dairy cattle processed in New Zealand, said chief operating officer Cros Spooner.

There was about 24 million head of sheepmeat and 2.4 million head of adult cattle killed annually, with 60 cents per sheep and $4.40 per head of cattle going toward levies - from about 12,000 commercial sheep and beef farmers and 11,000 commercial dairy farmers.

Its biggest initiative going forward was the Red Meat Profit Partnership. "And realising the potential of this industry-wide initiative. Also high on the agenda is advocating for farmers in respect of both environmental and health and safety issues, which are both very topical," he said.

On the Roll?

Call 0800 BEEFLAMB (0800 233 352) to find out

Register online at www.beeflambnz.com/register