Sustainability - A New Zealand Commitment 

Already world leaders in food production and food safety, New Zealand is now aiming to extend that leadership into sustainable production and marketing.

Food and beverage exports are the backbone of New Zealand's economy, generating wealth and jobs and a platform for innovation. From the New Zealand Government, through to export sectors and individual businesses, there is a huge interest and commitment to achieve greater sustainability in all areas of food and beverage production as consumers become increasingly interested in how food is produced and the impact on the environment.

Prime Minister Helen Clark wants New Zealand to be the first nation to be truly sustainable and aim to be carbon neutral. Underpinning this commitment, the Government has increased investment in research science and technology relating to sustainability.

New Zealand has a great platform to build on in this regard, with many natural advantages, including a clean, green environment, unpolluted waters and fertile soils. Our food and beverage sectors recognise the importance of protecting the environment they depend on to produce premium quality products.

Most recently the wine industry released a draft sustainability policy which aims to have all grapes and wine produced under an independently-audited sustainability scheme by vintage 2010.

Dairy is another iconic New Zealand food export, and also the biggest, responsible for more than 30% of international dairy trade. Our world leading dairy farming system is based on pasture grazing year-round in a naturally free-range environment with limited supplementation of other feeds. The industry has put in place a number of initiatives to reduce the level of inputs into, and the environmental impact of, dairy farming systems, including the Dairy Industry Environmental Strategy and the Dairying and Clean Streams Accord.

New Zealand is considered to be one of the most efficient dairy producers in the world and has markedly lower costs than Europe.

Our horticulture production systems are also low-cost in contrast with Europe, utilising natural climatic characteristics in combination with technology advancements. An example of this is Integrated Pest Management technology which provides growers with the tools to reduce pesticide use and energy usage, leading to lower production costs. The sector has also adopted environmental best practice in growing methods, for example the establishment of GROWSAFE and New Zealand GAP (good agricultural practice) programmes.

Kiwifruit is New Zealand's most valuable horticultural export. The country's entire kiwifruit export crop is produced the KiwiGreen way - an eco-friendly system which uses biological controls and crop management and processing techniques to reduce pesticide use.

Seafood is New Zealand's sixth largest export earner and the industry's international reputation for excellence is based on the quality of its products, its high food safety and environmental standards and a world-leading fisheries management programme. This programme includes eco-safeguards and a quota management system that guarantees access to a sustainable seafood resource for generations to come.

As consumers become more aware of where and how their food is produced and transported, efficient production practices are a vital component of New Zealand's sustainability drive. Very positively, a recent Lincoln University report showed products such as onions, lamb and apples were more efficiently produced in New Zealand than the UK, even after transport to the UK was taken into account.

When it comes to environmental sustainability, New Zealand is putting a stake in the ground and the Prime Minister believes that in years to come, the pride the country takes in its quest for sustainability and carbon neutrality will define our nation.

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is the New Zealand government's economic development agency. Through our network of offices worldwide, we aim to improve the international competitiveness and sustained profitability of New Zealand business by providing access to people, knowledge and opportunities. www.nzte.govt.nz