NZ Farmsure - Background, Principles & Strategy
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In January 2001 a project was initiated to develop a minimum (voluntary) principle for sustained production of sheep, beef, deer and goat farms. The principle for 'sustainability-based' supply builds on conventional (or base) farm assurance requirements.
The three key outcomes sought in the development of the principle were: enhanced production, demonstrated sustainability, and potential for market reward for product.
The project was funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Policy (Sustainable Farming Fund), the Business Council for Sustainable Development, and Richmond Limited as the lead meat company. The project has involved over 50 farmers from Hawke's Bay, Manawatu, Taranaki, King Country, Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
In addition to farmer input, land managers from 6 Regional Councils have also been involved in the development of the 'land and environmental' component of the principle, along with an AgResearch Soil and Environmental Scientist. A commercial veterinarian was also heavily involved in the development of the 'animal' component of the principle.
It was agreed from the start that the input from farmers was crucial in the development of the on-farm specifications. It was also agreed that to be credible, the principles would require of an audit system with independent verification. Aligning NZ Farmsure with other primary industry sectors is seen as a necessary part of the long-term plan.
The principles revolve around three plans: the Animal Management Plan; Land and Environment Plan; and Social Responsibility Plan. These plans have been developed in collaboration with the 50 farmers across a 2½ year period from January 2001 to June 2003. As part of the project, 30 farmers have developed a set of draft plans for their own farms.
Principles
A supply capability based on sustainability principles must consider economic, environmental and social aspects of production. Conditions for supply are based on factual information with a scientific basis where practical. However, consumer views and perceptions on acceptable practice are considered and are adopted where proven to be important.
The principles build on farm assurance for conventional supply, which includes animal welfare and food safety requirements. Integrated management between animal livestock species, animal age groups and/or through cropping/pasture rotation is encouraged as an effective means of reducing challenge from pests. Overall, chemical intervention is minimised by application of the management plan strategies including adherence to a demonstrated need principle.
Strategy
The principle builds on base farm assurance (food safety and animal welfare) and is voluntary for sheep, beef cattle, deer and goat farmers.
It is based on best-practice farming and accordingly enhances farm production, provides future-proofing of the farming business, and demonstrates that we are in fact 'clean and green' by providing the basis for an internationally recognised Quality Assurance (QA) system.
Other features of the principle include:
- Triple Bottom Line (TBL) reporting of economic, environmental and social aspects of production.
- Meeting the requirements of the Resource Management Act regulations with practical and acceptable solutions, thereby avoiding the risk that sustainability principles will be imposed on us by central government.
- The opportunity to negotiate 'equivalence' with our trading partners, rather than having to accept conditions of supply that do not reflect New Zealand's farming systems.
- Maintaining a competitive position with other countries (eg, Australia, UK, etc) that are also developing sustainability programmes with the full support of their governments and associated industry agencies.
- The potential to differentiate product for more discerning and higher paying markets.
