Making points with the Minister

Association president, Daniel Schuurman, got some traction with Minister for Primary Industries, David Carter, when the two met recently.

Daniel was in Wellington in early May for a round of meetings with officials and politicians. As well as the Minister, he met with Labour agriculture spokesperson, Damien O’Connor, Greens agriculture spokesperson, Steffan Browning, Hort NZ CEO, Peter Silcock and Radio New Zealand Rural News journalists who later ran a
story based on their meeting with Daniel.

“It was a useful day.  Smaller industries like ours don’t often get the chance to air their concerns with
Ministers and senior policymakers, so it was a valuable exercise in terms of generating profile and making key points.”

During his meeting with the Minister, David pointed out that biosecurity breaches are still commonplace, and that lax border control, that previously only applied to imported roses, was now spreading to other imported
flower types. “We made that point strongly to David Carter, who seemed unaware and who promised to have his officials look into it,” Daniel says.

Other issues Daniel raised during his meetings included flower growers’ views on GIA and the likelihood that industry would remain outside these agreements.

He stressed the lack of a level playing field when it comes to trade with India.  He said 20% of roses sold in NZ are imported from India, but India flatly refuses to accept imports of NZ flowers, and this puts Kiwi growers at a considerable disadvantage.

He also raised the considerable difficulties growers face when it comes to importing beneficial biological agents/products. He told the Minister, and other policymakers, that it’s easier to import chemicals into NZ than it is to import beneficials, and this has an adverse impact on the industry’s competitiveness on global markets. 

“We accept that getting traction for our issues won’t happen overnight, but it’s a process the Association is happy to engage in and keep the pressure on because it benefits our members,” Daniel said.

He said both Damien O’Connor and Steffan Browning were sympathetic and wanted to be kept informed of the Association’s progress in getting its issues addressed.

For further information contact the NZFGA using the contact form provided on the Cut Flower menu