Proposal for Deer Industry Restructuring

11/5/2001

The deer industry is being asked to consider the establishment of a single deer industry organisation to represent the interests of all sectors of the deer industry.

The Game Industry Board (GIB) already exists with a mandate to represent both producer and processor/exporter interests funded by a compulsory levy, but New Zealand’s deer farmers have maintained a separate levy funded national organisation – the Deer Farmers Association (DFA) - to pursue producer-specific issues..

The proposal for a single industry organisation arose from a review of industry structures agreed to be undertaken at the DFA’s Annual General Meeting earlier this year. The review revealed areas of duplication between the DFA Council and GIB, representing opportunities for cost savings and increased efficiencies..

The proposal being discussed would see the national DFA Council disestablish itself and withdraw its Commodity Levy, with producer interests handled by a new Producer Affairs Manager employed by Deer Industry New Zealand (“DINZ”). DINZ would represent all sectors of the deer industry under the existing GIB Regulations. Regional DFA Branches would be retained as a core industry asset, with improved Executive support and a direct link into the single industry organisation through the Producer Affairs Manager. The proposal is being put up for industry consultation with the full support of all industry organisations including the DFA Council. “The proposal does not mean the end of the DFA” said DFA President John Scurr. “DFA Branches are retained and will be strengthened by improved executive support. All that changes of note is that the DFA Council’s executive responsibilities will be taken over by a full-time professional manager. DFA Branch Chairmen would continue to provide a vehicle for producer representation and advocacy”.

It is proposed that the additional on-farm research which was to be funded by the DFA’s Commodity Levy will now be picked up by DINZ without increasing the GIB levy. Eliminating duplication and streamlining operations will mean significant savings. “The DFA is forecasting to collect Commodity Levy income of $590,000 in the 01/02 year and under the proposed structure this money would be staying in producers’ pockets” says Scurr.

While changes to the GIB Regulations are not required to implement the new structure, changes are still being discussed with MAF to provide for improved representation from all industry sectors. GIB Chairman Clive Jermy believes that the proposal offers significant benefits aside from cost savings and improved efficiency. “A single deer industry organisation would be the physical representation of a united New Zealand deer industry, with all sectors being fully and truly represented.” said Jermy. “We’ve been striving for industry unity for several years and have come a very long way. The proposal for a single organisation would really cap these efforts off. The industry would have a truly representative structure where issues could be worked through with all sectors’ interests in mind. Furthermore, issues particular to specific sectors within the industry would have the weight of the entire industry behind them”. The proposal is outlined in a Discussion Document which will be posted to all industry participants later this month. .

DFA President John Scurr, GIB Chairman Clive Jermy and GIB CEO MJ Loza will be attending a series of special meetings with producers to discuss the proposal, answer any questions and obtain informal feedback. Formal consultation will take place by way of an industry poll planned for the middle of November.