John Scurr, deer farmer from Wanaka, was elected Chairman of the Deer Industry New Zealand Board today following the previously announced retirement of Clive Jermy.

Mr Scurr has been a member of the Deer Industry New Zealand Board since 2002 and has been deputy Chairman for the past year. He brings to the Board substantial producer experience being past president of the New Zealand Deer Farmers Association, Chairman of the Deer QA On Farm technical committee and having served on many industry committees.

“I believe this is a time of great opportunity in the New Zealand deer industry and I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to it. I am personally optimistic for the future of the industry despite the very low prices that producers are currently receiving. Things will improve for us – there are more consumers than ever eating venison and we are still the best in the World at producing it to unparalleled standards of quality” commented Mr Scurr.

Mr Scurr is committed to the industry strategies that have been in place for the last nine months and is in no doubt that they are already producing some early results as indicated by above target achievements in strategic markets.

Mr Scurr farms about 2,000 red deer on his property in the Cardrona Valley. He is a keen pilot and is also passionate about the merino industry.

-ENDS-

For further information contact:

Chairman John Scurr

Tel:      03 443 7555

Mob:   027 438 7764