William Rolleston: Federation more about evolution than revolution

Dr William Rolleston, National president

This time of year, Federated Farmers' provinces have their annual meetings.

It's a time to catch up on the issues of the day and of course elect the provincial leaders for the coming year.

I have had the privilege to attend many of these meetings and see the enthusiasm and sense of purpose so many provinces have.

This year has also been the opportunity to launch the results of our strategic refresh led by our chief executive, Graham Smith, and a team of senior managers.

With a new chief executive and president, it was the opportune time to take another look at the organisation.

We have moved a long way in recent years and are far more engaged, and therefore influential, at the decision-making level of government so the strategic refresh is more about evolution rather than revolution.

The strategic refresh has looked at how we work internally, such as our engagement with the provinces as well as the key policy priorities for the coming year or two.

On top of the normal bread-and-butter issues such as the economy and local government regulations, the areas which stand out for me are the environment (water and climate change), health and safety, and science and innovation.

Federated Farmers has taken the lead in its conversation around water.

We have stepped up to the mark and want to be part of a solution which ensures better environmental results but also better practical and economic outcomes than would otherwise have been the case.

We can do the same in the climate change space as well.

Health and safety is becoming a contentious issue with many farmers.

We all want to see fewer deaths and injuries on farm but it is how we achieve this which is causing angst.

Federated Farmers is working hard with WorkSafe to get to a point where intervention is evidence and risk based, and farmers are engaged not alienated.

There is some way to go here and the unique position of Federated Farmers gives us the opportunity and the responsibility to get the best outcomes.

The challenge is to change the "health and safety" culture without changing the "rural" culture.

Underpinning both of these and almost everything we do as farmers and as an organisation is science and innovation.

This edition of The National Farming Review starts that conversation and we must continue to ensure agricultural science maintains its place in New Zealand.