Goats Chuffed, Not Gruff

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14 February 2013

Goats Chuffed, Not Gruff

An agreement among various producer representatives to have equal representation on the Federated Farmers Goats Industry Group means the industry can look forward to a brighter future, says John Woodward, Mohair New Zealand (Inc.) chairman.

“Goat meat is the world’s most consumed meat and, with fewer calories, fat and cholesterol than chicken, is a very healthy option, but at present the New Zealand goat industries remain under rated and under utilised,” Woodward says.

“We expect that as a result of changes made at the Federated Farmers goats industry group conference held at Pukekohe earlier this week, this will start to change.

“Federated Farmers’ Goats Industry Group was created some years ago by Mohair New Zealand, but we have realised the only way forward for the industry is to provide an inclusive sector-wide group for mohair, dairy goat and meat goat producers under the Federated Farmers umbrella.

“The proposal at this meeting was to change the group’s governance structure, allowing equal representation of mohair, dairy goat and goat meat producer organisations. There will also be provision to enable other goat farming groups to join the group in future.

“Initially the group will be made up of two representatives from each of the industry’s sectors; Mohair New Zealand (Inc.), the Dairy Goat Cooperative (NZ) Ltd and Meat Goat New Zealand. The group’s first task will be deciding on which areas the group can be most effective in. Exploring the possible reinstatement of a goat meat levy is one example of this.

“The Federation’s Goats industry group looks forward to growing the industry so that goat meat takes its rightful place among the other red meats - sheep meat and beef - that are very much a part of the pastoral sector.

“Goats have a reputation for being a bit gruff, but we are chuffed at the progress which has been made to get all parts of our sector working efficiently together,” Mr Woodward concluded.

ENDS

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