Federated Farmers - July 2011

Butchers Blurb

A newsletter from Federated Farmers Rural Butchers

Chairperson's commentary

MIKE HANSON - CHAIRPERSON FEDERATED FARMERS RURAL BUTCHERS

Much has been written recently about the high level of world-wide demand for New Zealand's meat and meat products. While this is great for our farmers, this has a downside domestically, with sheepmeat in particular becoming more expensive and consequently becoming less affordable for some people.

It also poses challenges for us as a sector as farmers are increasingly reluctant to go down the home kill route when the returns they can get from commercially slaughtered animals are so high. This situation demands that we as an industry - like many other sectors in today's economy - step up to meet this challenge and as butchers must constantly be looking to develop the range of services and skills that we provide to our customers.

I believe that our conference, to be held in early September, in Invercargill this year, will be one way of helping members meet this challenge. The event agenda is under development, but we are looking to include a presentation on how members can develop an affordable web presence to reach more customers. In addition there will be trips to view and learn about businesses of interest to members and, as usual, the enjoyment, fellowship and learning that catching up with other rural butchers brings.

I would like to take this opportunity also to ask members to maintain their vigilance about stock rustling and the illegal trading of meat. Anyone who participates in these crimes risks not only the hard-earned reputation that New Zealand has for producing very high quality and safe food, but the viability of the home kill and dual operator butchery industries. I urge anyone who has knowledge of illegal activity around the slaughter and/or selling of meat, to contact the relevant authorities such as the Police or the New Zealand Food Safety Authority

On a brighter note, I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at our Invercargill conference and, finally, we have the Rugby World Cup to look forward to later in the year - go the All Blacks!

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

News

2011 RURAL BUTCHERS CONFERENCE AND AGM

The 2011 AGM and Conference will be held in Invercargill on Saturday, 3 September at the Ascot Park Hotel. There will also be some pre-conference activities around this event on Friday, 2 September. The Agenda, listing the speakers and details of the pre-conference field trip/s, will be developed closer to the event and sent out to you when finalised.

The Federation has reserved a number of rooms at the hotel and motel venue for the nights of Friday 2 and Saturday 3 September. There are also a smaller number of rooms reserved for the nights around this: Thursday 1 and Sunday 4 September. Members who wish to attend the event and stay at the conference location will need to let the Federation know so we can confirm the numbers of rooms required. The Registration Form for the event will be sent out to members very shortly.

A key part of the AGM and conference is the election of the Rural Butchers Executive for the 2011/2012 year. If anyone is interested in becoming a part of this group, please contact David Burt, the Federated Farmers Rural Butchers Policy Advisor

E-mail: dburt@fedfarm.org.nz Telephone: 04 494 9182 or 0800 327 646, Fax 04 4731081

Alternatively, for more information about what the role involves, contact either the Rural Butchers Chairperson or a member of the current Executive - their contact details are provided below.

NATIONAL ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION AND TRACING – NAIT SCHEME DELAYED

The implementation date of the National Animal Identification and Tracing [NAIT] scheme, involving the mandatory tagging of cattle, has been pushed back from 1 November 2011 to "mid-late" 2012. The exact date will be advised later as it is subject to the passing of the NAIT legislation.

The requirements around tagging of cattle after 1 November 2011 are:

For cattle movements other than to slaughter:

Primary and secondary tags will be required. The primary tag can be either a NAIT radio Frequency Identification (RFID) primary tag or an Animal Health Board (AHB) bar coded primary tag.

Cattle being consigned to slaughter:

Must be identified with either an AHB approved bar-coded primary tag or an AHB approved bar-coded "direct to slaughter" tag.

Federated Farmers will be providing more information to Rural Butcher members about their obligations once the draft regulations are published. In the interim, if members have questions about NAIT, please contact David Burt.

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON BUSINESS THROUGHPUTS

It has come to the attention of the Federation that some members have been contacted and asked to provide information about the throughput of their businesses. While members may chose to provide this information if they wish, the Federation notes that this information is generally considered to be commercially sensitive and members may decide to only provide this information to parties that are authorised to have access to it.

RESTRICTIONS AROUND THE SLAUGHTER OF IMPORTED ANIMALS

Clarification has been obtained from NZFSA about the domestic slaughter and processing of animals known to be imported (ie not born in New Zealand). The Animal Consumption specifications have been amended so that while - as with material from NZ born animals - products cannot be fed to ruminant animals, imported animal products are not now considered to be high risk materials. The consequences are:

All the tissues generally considered to be edible (eg edible offals) can be consumed.
Waste materials do not need to be buried or burned. All products can be sent to a renderer, but the renderer must be told that the animal is imported and that they have to label meat product as saying it contains imported animal product. For this reason they may not want to take the waste material.
There are no additional requirements that DOB must comply with around the meat/offal/other tissues from imported animals. Products must remain separated from regulated meat however - as per normal homekill requirements.

MAF CIG SECTOR AND VAFP REVIEW ACTIVITIES

As mentioned in an earlier Butchers Blurb, the Compliance Inspection Group (CIG) of MAF have completed a reviews looking at the Dual Operator Butcher and Home Kill sectors. The outcome of these reviews will be provided to members when they become available. It is hoped that the matter will also be a topic for discussion at our conference in September.

Similarly, we hope to have more information in the not too distant future available for members arising from the VAFP review of their audits of sector premises.

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.

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.