The speakers’ meeting and AGM of the NZ Flower Growers Association was held from 17-18 October, and included a well-planned line up of top quality speakers and topics.
The meeting was hailed by Acting President David Blewden as, “The most successful since the combined Hort NZ meeting of 2010”.
The event included a very informative field trip to pioneering biomass furnace Gerbera Grower K&L Nurseries.
Some of the highlights of the speaker content are covered below and full reports will be circulated to growers by email later in the month.
Frans Dorsser of Shipherd Nurseries presented an assessment of imported cut flowers, clearly showing the increasing trend not only in roses from India but also a spectrum including lilies, Chrysanthemum, Carnations Orchids and Roses, but also more recently a diverse range including Gypsophila, Tulips and other spring bulbs, and Peonies
Jeff Blackburn of Blackburn & Croft set out the facts on a potential case taken against cut flower importing countries on Anti Dumping/Countervailing, identifying exactly what was involved and the process and considerations. If a programme were to be undertaken, initiation by 1st February would result in corrective measures in place by this time next year. Corrective price measures applied would give a new floor price for flowers; customs may collect a bit more GST; there would be no impact on the FTA talks with India.
A presentation on post-harvest performance/keeping distant customers satisfied was presented by Keith Funnel of Crop & Food. Keith presented a detailed look at post harvest work being done on Gentian, Peony, Calla & Agapanthus.
Kevin Grout of UFG provided a market update on the situation at UFG and sent a positive message to growers regarding support of local growers and the ‘Buy NZ Grown’ initiative.
Melanie Newfield’s and Karen Pugh’s ‘Import Health Standards [IHS] & Risk Assessment for Cut Flowers’ video presentation outlined the boundaries within which ‘MPI Biosecurity’ must operate and explaining why different material [propagating stock V-cut flowers] receive different treatment.
Sarah Vaughan, GIA Secretariat, explained the new Government-Industry Agreements (GIA). She suggested that the implications for Flower Industry includes a process of joint cost-sharing and decision-making between Goverment and industry with regard to post border activity once a biosecurity threat is identified.
Industry bodies sign a deed and develop an operational agreement with the government. There is a lot of detail involved in these – go to: www.gia.org.nz for more information.
Helen Gear, Plant Market Access Committee [PMAC], gave a presentation on the implications for the Flower Industry. The objectives of PMAC is to support horticultural production and the goals are:
- Maximise market access profitably;
- Manage risks;
- Minimise unjustified access requirements;
- Influence international standards;
- Optimise export assurance systems;
- Communicate between industry and government.
Although it would appear that global trade is becoming ever more liberal, individual countries continue to build in a variety of barriers being, including increased testing, increasing certification, and other non-tariff barriers. Food security concerns are of rising importance, NZ has a high reputation for traceability and integrity.
Mike Arnold from Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) said that the major goal for his organisation is to see exports of horticultural products increase to $10 billion by 2020.
Currently, the combined horticultural exports represent the fourth largest exporter group. There are 5,500 growers, employing 50,000 people.
Horticultural businesses are consolidating with the biggest now being in excess of $50 million dollar businesses, the smaller ones are disappearing. There is an increasing trend toward vertical integration from growing to marketing and all the operations are professional at every level.
NZ Flower Growers Association AGM
Key outcomes of the AGM were that the Executive Committee would review subscription base of the Association to ensure sustainability with the requirement to pay for the secretarial and support role and recognising the reality of fewer people being able to or prepared to volunteer large amounts of time towards largely voluntary association work.
It was decided that the NZFGA would remain active, and that AGMs were to be held by October of each year.
A key decision at the meeting was for the NZFGA to get more strongly behind the UFG ‘Buy NZ Grown’ campaign, as supported by Bruce Obrien and as a move to a more economical approach to the task of helping the public identify and purchase truly ‘NZ Grown’ cut flowers.
With regards the countervailing (subsidised) duties discussions, various scenarios were put forward ranging in cost, but in the first instance, support for the ‘Buy NZ Campaign’ was preferred. However, it is recognised that there is support for this approach also and it could be used in the future if it were felt necessary.
A move to professionalise and work more closely with FLONZI and other allied industry groups may yet turn what is regarded as a ‘sunset’ industry into a ‘sunrise’ one contributing to New Zealand’s excellent reputation for first class horticultural products.
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