AgResearch welcomes Govt commitment to primary sector
13 Feb '08
3 min read
“If we fail to prevent resistance from developing, the only alternative will be to use the newest and most expensive drench products – an example of how biological sustainability is closely tied to economic sustainability in farming.”
Dr West said these and other challenges can be met by utilising New Zealand's primary sector research and development capabilities. For farmers to realise the potential in these capabilities, it is important for industry good organisations to work together.
“The Prime Minister's announcement yesterday of her Government's commitment to food and pastoral research is most encouraging, as is her Government's commitment to research into sustainable farming practices.”
He said an exciting opportunity lies ahead in the area of greenhouse gas mitigation. “With agriculture making up about half of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions, our sector's environmental challenges are seen as having a global impact, as well as local impacts on soils and waterways.
“Government has already committed to additional funding for greenhouse gas mitigation research in pastoral agriculture. In the long term, the results of such research could give New Zealand pastoral agriculture a distinct advantage in a global marketplace where consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of agriculture.
“The economic benefits of this work to the agriculture sector should not be under-estimated either, especially after the requirement for carbon trading is applied from 2013 onwards.”
Dr West said while collaboration between private enterprise, AgResearch, other research entities and industry good organisations was key, external factors must be considered and R&D needed to be market led.
“At AgResearch we have a real passion for supporting New Zealand's food and textiles industries and the farming that underpin these – pastoral agriculture has always and continues to underpin this country's economy and will do so into the foreseeable future.”
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