Overwhelming Percentage of New Zealand Farmers Support the Potato Commodity Levy
Farmers have given Potatoes New Zealand a strong mandate to represent their interests for the upcoming six-year potato levy cycle.
Warwick Lampp of Electionz.com, an independent returning officer, issued the Declaration of Result. 94.74% of growers who cast ballots in favor of the proposed levy, or 95.83% of the gross sales value of the missed season, were growers. 54.68% of growers who were eligible to vote in the referendum cast ballots.
These outcomes contrast with those of the 2018 levy referendum, in which 81.69% of voters expressed support for the proposed charge, equivalent to 88.56% of the total gross sales value. 41.04% of growers who were eligible to vote in the referendum cast ballots.
“This great result reflects the work that Potatoes New Zealand has delivered and will continue to deliver for growers. It is especially pleasing to see that potato growers have their say in shaping the future of the potato industry. The potato industry has experienced various challenges, including increased regulations and pressure across the whole supply chain. But the future is promising, and Potatoes New Zealand will be there to make sure that growers’ interests remain the top priority,” PNZ Chair, Paul Olsen, declared.
Potatoes New Zealand CEO Kate Trufitt thanked growers and she added that is very pleased with the support they have shown for Potatoes New Zealand to continue to represent and advocate for them.
“Our organization is primarily focused on the interests of growers, and ensuring they are receiving maximum benefit from the industry structure. I encourage all growers to continue to contact us to make sure that our organization is focusing on issues important to them,” Trufitt declared.
To finance Potatoes New Zealand’s operations, potato producers originally decided to impose a charge on potatoes in 2012. Since then, the group has worked to represent producers in international fora, communicate with growers on matters of utmost importance to their businesses, support young growers and industry succession planning, and advocate for growers in national and local government decision-making.
“Potatoes New Zealand will inform the Minister’s office and will apply for a new levy order,” according to a recent press release.
