Gamekeeper McKenzie turns Poacher

Andrew McKenzie retires this week as Chief Executive of the New Zealand Food Safety Authority at the same time as his ‘baby’ is reabsorbed into MAF. This is an important coincidence because, under McKenzie’s direction, food safety compliance in New Zealand is light years ahead of where it was even 10 years ago.

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Meat Sector Strategy Nearly Underway

Meat & Wool NZ (the name change to Beef & Lamb NZ takes effect 1 July) and the MIA are moving quickly to begin the sector strategy development process which was somewhat derailed firstly by the collapse of the single industry good organisation proposal and secondly by the restructuring of MWNZ as a result of the referendum. Although neither party has yet formally agreed the terms of reference, the appointment of a facilitator and formation of a governance group are expected soon.

AFFCO cautious after good first half

AFFCO’s net profit after tax at $15.91 million was marginally ahead of the same period last year in spite of a 0.6% drop in revenue, but on balance it appears to be a very solid result in a season which both AFFCO and Silver Fern Farms termed slow because of good early grass growth.