Beef + Lamb New Zealand's (BLNZ) board is proceeding with a proposed increase in sheepmeat and beef levies, saying there was "clear support" from farmers. From October 1, the levy for sheepmeat would increase 10c to 70c per head, and the beef levy by 80c to $5.20 per head.
The additionallevies would be invested in accelerating four programmes: the international activation of the Taste Pure Nature origin brand and the Red Meat Story, helping the sector lift its environmental performance and reputation, telling the farmer story better, and strengthening BLNZ's capability to address biosecurity risks.
Almost 63% of respondents backed an increase, and BLNZ was pleased by the level of interest in the proposal and amount of detail received in the submission forms, chairman Andrew Morrison said.
Some farmers indicated concerns about potential cost pressures for the sector, and BLNZ was aware costs were increasing for some farmers and that there was uncertainty over the impacts of Mycoplasma bovis and what their share of eradication costs would be.
