Federated Farmers - July 2010

Butchers Blurb

A newsletter from Federated Farmers Rural Butchers

Chairperson's commentary

MIKE HANSON - CHAIRPERSON FEDERATED FARMERS RURAL BUTCHERS

I am pleased to announce that following our September 2009 conference and AGM, the initiatives undertaken have resulted in a large number of new members for the Federated Farmers Rural Butchers industry group. We now have around 60 Rural Butchers members and a good number of other members who have expressed an interest in the group.

At the AGM and conference, where the theme was ‘the way forward', members began the vital process of addressing the single biggest problem facing the industry group - the severe decline in membership numbers. While the causes of the problem were easily identified as tough business conditions and an increase in the subscription rate, the focus was on what was needed to revive and reinvigorate the group. It was very pleasing to find that a significant number of people felt strongly enough about our industry to attend the meeting and to contribute to the full and frank discussion that took place.

Several areas that needed to be improved upon were identified and a plan and time frame to address them were developed. Foremost among the things that needed to be done, was the need to communicate with potential members about the strengths that a Federated Farmers membership can offer their businesses and the value for money that membership represents.

Since our conference letters, followed up by further contact, have been sent to all current, past and potential members. These actions, aided by some good publicity following the conference and the decision by the Federation's National Council to review the membership cost structure, have resulted, as noted above, in a large number of new members joining us.

To these new members, I would like to welcome you to the organisation and the members of the executive and I look forward to working with you over the coming year and dealing with some major issues, including a new Commercial Slaughter Code and the introduction of a new Food Bill to Parliament.

I would also like to record here my appreciation, on behalf of Federated Farmers Rural Butchers, for the work carried out by past Federated Farmers Rural Butchers chairperson, Gibby Campbell, in advancing the industry's interests. Gibby has kindly offered to stay on as a member of the executive and his experience will be invaluable in the year ahead.

Mike Hanson
Chairperson
Federated Farmers Rural Butchers
Phone: 03 308 7354
Email: netherbymeats@xtra.co.nz

News

2010 RURAL BUTCHERS CONFERENCE AND AGM

Auckland Saturday, 25 September - The 2010 Federated Farmers Rural Butchers Conference and AGM will be held at the Rendezvous Hotel, corner of Mayoral Drive and Vincent Street, Auckland. An agenda is currently being developed and will be sent out in the near future, but we can announce that it will include a field trip on the afternoon of Friday, 24 September. Registration forms will also be sent out shortly. As usual, members will need to arrange their own travel to and from the conference. If you are interested in attending this event, please contact David Burt, by clicking here or by calling 0800 327 646.

MEMBERSHIP RATES

Like all successful organisations, Federated Farmers regularly reviews its income structure and costs to make sure we offer services that add significant value to our members' businesses, as well as being efficient in the way we utilise members' funds. As part of this process, a review of the types and rates of membership categories within Federated Farmers was carried out last year and was approved by the National Council in November, with effect from January 2010.

One outcome of this was the introduction of the Rural Service Business membership, designed to provide an appropriate category for rural service providers. While this new membership category acknowledges the vital role that Rural Butchers play in our communities, it also recognises that rural butchers are service provider rather than a farming business. This means that Federated Farmers Rural Butchers, while remaining as a key industry group within Federated Farmers, has therefore been placed within the Rural Service Business category for the purposes of subscription rates.

In addition to a great range of member benefits, we provide a number of services for Rural Butchers members including;

Providing a strong voice to address industry problems, like those that are expected with the Animal Welfare Commercial Slaughter Code, and to provide cost effective solutions to government decision makers.
Providing an analysis and commentary on industry issues, such as the new Food Bill introduced this year.
Ensuring that food safety and other business compliance costs are minimised.
Advice. Remember that all members get free, quality advice on policy, compliance, legal and employment matters through the 0800 FARMING (327 646) line.
Keeping you up to date and informed on the latest news via the Butchers Blurb and members can also get other regular Federated Farmers publications including the Friday Flash, Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre newsletter - the RamBull and the National Farming Review.
Providing conference and networking opportunities through attendance at conferences and AGM's, giving members the chance to talk to other butchers, exchange ideas and form new contacts.

To get more information about the full range of member benefits Federated Farmers offers, please click here. Note to view the special discounts page you will need to be logged in as a Federated Farmers member.

COMMERCIAL SLAUGHTER CODE PUBLISHED

The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) has recently published the Animal Welfare (Commercial Slaughter) Code of Welfare. The major change for rural butcher operations is the requirement that all the animals they handle must be stunned, that is, rendered insensible, before slaughter .This means that the slaughter of sheep by cutting their throat is no longer acceptable under the Code unless the sheep are first stunned. The acceptable methods for stunning large mammals (cattle, deer, sheep, goats, pigs and camelids) are a captive bolt firearm, or an electrical stunner, or a suitable firearm. The Code identifies which minimum standards homekill service providers are required to meet.

A copy of the Code can be downloaded by clicking here. All Federated Farmers Rural Butchers members are urged to obtain a copy of the Code and to become familiar with the requirements that apply to them. If you are unable to download a copy, please contact David Burt, by clicking here or by calling 0800 327 646. Federated Farmers has published a member advisory about the Code and a digest of the requirements that apply to rural butchers will be prepared for Federated Farmers Rural Butchers members in the near future. The code and any problems that arise from its implementation will also be a key issue to be discussed at the upcoming Rural Butchers conference and AGM in September.

NEW ZEALAND FOOD SAFETY AUTHORITY NEWS

Risk Management Plan template - The resource manual for the Risk Management Plan (RMP) template for dual operator butchers was updated in January 2010 and the new version can be found by clicking here. If you are unable to download a copy, please contact David Burt, by clicking here or by calling 0800 327 646.

Meat stalls food safety programme - Approval for the Meat at Stalls Food Safety Programme, a template for businesses that sell pre-packaged raw, processed and ready-to-eat meat from stalls, is limited to businesses operating as dual operator butchers under a registered RMP, where the Meat at Stalls FSP is used as part of the operator butcher's RMP. This document can be downloaded by clicking here. If you are unable to download a copy, please contact David Burt, by clicking here or by calling 0800 327 646.

NZFSA website changes - The NZFSA is currently redeveloping its website to make information easier for you to find and use and changes will include creating separate websites for consumer and industry information. As part of the changes, new business documents such as manuals, codes of practice and specifications will in future only be available in PDF form on the NZFSA website, unless specifically requested. NZFSA will also be splitting large PDFs into smaller ones so that people on a slow internet connection can still easily download them. Full documents will also be available for download. The PDFs will also have a brief, one-sentence description in HTML to help users find the correct document. The new websites is expected to be launched early in the second half of 2011. To find out more about the changes, please contact David Burt by clicking here or by calling 0800 327 646.

MAF BIOSECURITY NEW ZEALAND NEWS

Hydatid vigilance needed - While Hydatids has essentially been eradicated from New Zealand, it is important that farmers remain vigilant to ensure that this situation continues. As a reminder, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) has reissued a Controlled Area Notice stating that raw offal from all livestock, including sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, deer, horses, llamas and alpacas, kept for use or profit shall not be accessible by dogs. The requirements of the Notice can be downloaded by clicking here. For further information, please contact policy advisor, David Burt, by calling 0800 327 646.

Notices

FOR SALE

Any plant machinery that is for sale or wanted can be included in our next newsletter. Please forward relevant details to the Federated Farmers Rural Butchers secretary, Sommai Hudson, by clicking here.

NEW MEMBERS WANTED

Your membership is important as you give us the means and mandate to make a difference for farmers and rural businesses. Share your experience of Federated Farmers with others in the rural community and let them know what the benefits of belonging to Federated Farmers Rural Butchers are. If you know of any rural butchers who aren't Federated Farmers members you may wish to give them a call. Alternatively, pass on their contact details to David Burt and he will ensure that they are contacted. Thank you for your support and membership, it makes an important difference.

Member benefits

PROTECT YOUR HEAD

Until 31 July 2010, FarmSafe is offering members Pacific Quadsafe ATV Helmets for $99.95 - regular retail price $146.25. For more information, click here or call 0800 545 747. Please quote client code 8456.

FANCY A FREE SOLAHART PANEL?

Yes, when buying a GreenGlo Saver mains pressure tank you get a free Solahart panel and a free solar controller. This is an amazing offer, why wouldn't you go solar when you can go for free. For more information, please click here or call 0800 769 377.

MORE MEMBER BENEFITS AND OFFERS

To view special discounts exclusive to Federated Farmers members, please call 0800 327 646 or click here to log onto our members only area.

Our shop

NEED STAFF?

If you need staff or are looking for a job, visit www.ruraljobs.co.nz

NEED A CONTRACT?

If you need a contract or free legal or employment advice, simply call 0800 327 646.

CONTRACTS, AGREEMENTS AND LEASES

These include land, stock, contractor, sales and purchase, agreement to grow, log books, access pads, Over Dimension Certificates and employment. Remember, it's a legal requirement to have an employment contract for EVERY employee so if you don't have a current employment agreement, then order one now. Contracts, agreements and leases are available in both electronic and hard copy formats for your convenience. To purchase, call 0800 FARMING or click here.

Contacts

Please remember that if there are any issues you would like to discuss contact Federated Farmers on 0800 327 646, contact your local chairperson or one of the executive team as listed below.