It’s also a good place to get a venison burger and a cheap pair of Merino socks.
Manawatu makes a week out of the festivities – it was kicked off last Friday with 1000 sheep running through the main street of Feilding, which was quite a sight. The rural games brought the country to town in Palmerston North with thousands turning up to see some of agriculture’s top athletes shear, saw, climb and throw their way to glory.
Last week’s Future Farms conference was also worth a look. Labour MP Kieran McAnulty told the conference officials are working on an assurance programme that will guarantee the sustainability and envrionmental credentials of New Zealand’s primary products. That was great to hear – it’s something the industry has been talking about for a long time. McAnulty said our agricultural future depends on being able to sell our story to the world and leaving it up to the market isn’t an option. Therefore, the Government is taking the lead but will also be led by industry on the finer details.
We only have to look to Ireland to see what can be achieved when the primary industries work as one to tell their story. Origin Green is a simple concept that’s easily digested by consumers. Having one tick for all products from a nation means there’s no mixed messages and once it’s been around a while will be easily recognised on the shelves.
NZ has always had a pretty good story to tell about its food. Sometimes, though, it has seemd a bit like a game of Chinese whispers, with the message changing depending on who’s talking into your ear. What we need is some clarity in the story. Onlye then will we have a happy ending.
Bryan Gibson
