Other Initiatives that Address Taskforce Recommendations
[ Last Updated 6 July 2007 ]
Short Description
Information on other initiatives in the government's work programme which will address key concerns of the food and beverage taskforce.
A number of initiatives have been progressed in other work streams that address key concerns of the taskforce.
Tax changes and reducing the cost structure for exporters
The taskforce was concerned about reducing the cost structure for exporters and recommended that there be accelerated income tax deductions on specified expenditure incurred to support export market development including research and development (recommendation 15.8). These concerns are addressed in large part by:
- the business tax package, in particular tax changes benefiting R&D investment will significantly assist the sector;
- the boost in funding for the Market Development Assistance Scheme, which has the objective of encouraging the entry of more New Zealand firms into global markets;
- work on reducing compliance costs through the Quality Regulation Review announced in May 2006.
Work Programmes in MAF and Ministry of Fisheries
MAF's work programme includes several significant projects focusing on growth, productivity and the impact of climate change on agriculture, including both on and off-farm production systems. These include projects on: Life Cycle Analysis; sustainable agriculture; and a significant applied research programme on the drivers of economic growth, productivity and resource allocation across the primary sector. The key emphasis of all these work programmes is to leverage the government's information and expertise to produce practical tools that benchmark economic and environmental performance and support business adaptation.
The Ministry of Fisheries also undertakes considerable work in the primary industries that aligns well with the recommendations of the Food and Beverage Taskforce.
Aquaculture Strategy
The government's response to the aquaculture strategy – Our Blue Horizon: the Government's Commitment to Aquaculture, was released on June 7, 2007 (see the Aquaculture website). Some of the initiatives progressed in the context of the Food and Beverage Taskforce response will also enable the government to respond to key parts of the aquaculture strategy, in particular strengthening stakeholder partnerships, developing the market for New Zealand aquaculture products and maximising opportunities for innovation.
Primary Industries Summit
The Minister of Agriculture the Hon Jim Anderton will host Primary Industries 2020: A Summit on Succeeding in a Changing Global Economy in Christchurch in November 2007. The Summit will provide primary sector business leaders with the opportunity to examine market trends and potential solutions to the sector's sustainability challenges, including human capability, technological change, inward and outward investment opportunities, market development, carbon neutrality and collaborative business models, including consortia and transformational alliances.
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