Successful Far Referendum Good For Growers

8 September 1999
PR95/99

SUCCESSFUL FAR REFERENDUM GOOD FOR GROWERS

Neil Barton, Chairman of the Grains Council of Federated Farmers of New Zealand, said today that the success of the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) referendum is good news for arable farmers.

Over 80% of the New Zealand grains and seeds growers who voted, registered their vote in support of continuing the compulsory levy to fund FAR. These supporting votes represented over 85% of arable cropping by area.

"This result represents overwhelming grower support for FAR and places the industry in a strong position to meet the research needs of the future," said Mr Barton.

"This highly successful vote clearly signals that growers are prepared to levy themselves to fund arable industry research. The positive vote is also a vote of confidence in the board and staff of FAR for the work carried out on behalf of levy payers over the last five years."

"Where FAR has been the success story of the research community is in its effective way of extending research results out to the growers who fund it. Because FAR is structured on growers' groups who make recommendations for specific research projects, it is those growers who are keen to see the results of that research and ensure that the results are spread out to other growers."

"The Grains Council congratulates FAR on the success of the referendum and looks forward to ongoing, high quality research that adds value to the New Zealand arable industry," concluded Mr Barton.

ENDS

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