By LIAM DANN
Vegetable and fruit growers could be represented by a single industry body for the first time if a new proposal is approved.
If members vote for a merger at a meeting later this month work will begin on creating a new body, provisionally called Horticulture New Zealand.
Peter Silcock,
who works as chief executive for both Vegefed and the New Zealand Fruitgrowers Federation, said the move would give both sectors more power to deal with big issues like biosecurity, market access, the Resource Management Act and labour supply.
"We're looking to get the most efficient and powerful grouping we can," he said. "It makes sense that we do that when we've got common issues."
The two groups already work together but are two separate organisations. This proposal would formalise a closer working relationship and bring industry representation into one organisation, Silcock said.
"We think we can take a more pro-active approach," he said. "We can get relationships going with officials and the Government."
VegeFed and the Fruitgrowers Federation are two of New Zealand's oldest industry bodies.
Fruitgrowers has an 86-year history and Vegefed 46 years.
About 20 product specific groups - like New Zealand Pipfruit and the Asparagus Council - would continue to operate independently but would come under the umbrella of Horticulture New Zealand.
Members will vote on the merger proposal on July 29. If it is approved a working party will be established.
They would fill in the detail and come back with some firm recommendations in time for a final vote in July next year, Silcock said.
