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About Us > Latest News > Demand For Sustainable Food
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New Zealand has opportunity to capitalise on demand for sustainable food
New Zealand could be market leaders delivering carbon neutral food products to consumers and supermarkets throughout the world, the former Commissioner for the Environment told farmers today.
Dr Morgan Williams was speaking to more than 300 farmers at one of the country’s largest and oldest lime quarries, Hatuma Lime, in Central Hawke’s Bay.
“New Zealand has an opportunity to boost food exports as consumers world wide are driving demand for environmentally sustainable food products", he said.
“There is greater awareness of the effects of climate change and consumers are becoming more and more interested in the production of food and the energy used to produce it."
“We have an opportunity to be market leaders in delivering more sustainable carbon neutral to supermarkets and their customers throughout the world,” he said.
Dr Williams said New Zealand pastoral farming is being shaped by many major global factors especially changes shaping the production of animal proteins.
“Pastoral farming is in a transitional period with animal protein demands rising and more pressure on supplies.
“Economic, political, physical and societal changes will have major long-term consequences and it’s important pastoral farmers gain benefits and manage impacts, while maintaining their natural capital and economic viability.
This will include the implications of decreases in wild caught fish, availability of fresh water for grain production, pressure on grain-based animal production systems as a consequence of water demands, climate change, biofuel demands and rising animal protein demands in developing countries, he said.
The industry also needed to focus on strategic leadership in the pastoral sector and help shape the aspirations for New Zealand’s farming future.
Dr Williams said he was encouraged by many of Hatuma’s farmer clients who have been practicing sustainable farming for 75 years.
Hatuma’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Aaron Topp, said due to environmental pressures the industry was “shedding its skin”.
“The future of farming is now focusing on energy-efficient practices that leave a positive imprint on the environment, while not compromising production, something many in the industry see as an almost impossible task.
As individuals, our farming clients are already ensuring the sustainability and future of New Zealand farming on a world-wide scale,” Mr Topp said.
At the Open Day farmers learnt how they can modify their topdressing management to create a more efficient and cost-effective operation.
Farmers saw first-hand the manufacturing of agricultural lime and dicalcic phosphate which have been used by thousands of farmers for over 40 years as a core component to maintaining sustainable and productive farmland.
For more information please contact:
Aaron Topp
Hatuma Lime Marketing Manager
0800 80 65 65
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