Kerre Woodham: The primary sector deserves a standing ovation

I was listening to Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor this morning on the Mike Hosking breakfast as he big-upped our primary industry exports.

About how they do reach a new record high of $55 billion in 2023, that they’re tracking strongly towards a 4 percent increase in the year ending June 2023, despite the global downturn.

Damien O'Connor says there's some comfort knowing that demand for food and fiber should remain strong throughout any economic downturn. So New Zealand’s economy remains better positioned when compared to others.

Dairy remains our largest export. Our sheep and beef sector remains strong. Horticulture export revenue is expected to grow. Strong demand continues for our processed food, and we expect parable export revenue to grow 5 percent. This is all just wonderful news! 

Seafood export revenue is forecast to increase 4 percent, despite taking a substantial hit at the start of the pandemic. According to the Minister, hard work combined with strong demand is seeing a swift and continued recovery and export revenue.

Forestry export revenue is set to increase and the result is to be commended. And the relevant minister said the forestry sector should be acknowledged, especially over a tough year and in the face of a global slowdown in construction and corresponding lower demand for our logs. It shows remarkable resilience.

So it was just in those final two to three paragraphs, that you had Stuart Nash commend the sector for its resilience. You had David Parker talk about the seafood exporters taking a substantial hit, but their hard work combined with strong demand, is seeing a swift and continued recovery, and then finally, finally, finally you get Damian O'Connor saying “as we head into the festive season, I'd like to acknowledge the more than 360,000 people working in our food and fiber sector and what they've achieved for New Zealand over the past year. Their efforts brighten our future.”  

Now call me a churlish old tart, but seriously, where's the thank you?

To me, an acknowledgement is simply not enough.

If I was running a Miss Manners school for cabinet ministers, I would say in light of the fact that we've got record growth in an industry that has been absolutely slammed by this very Government, acknowledgement wouldn't quite cut it.

No minister, see your speech. I see you've acknowledged the 360,000 people. At the Miss Manners School of etiquette for cabinet ministers, I'd say no, we can do better than that.

We can say to the 360,000 people working in the food and fiber sector, thank you so very much. We know that you are working in an incredibly difficult environment. We have made it difficult. And we have made enormous demands of you while you go about your business. It has been challenging. It's been tough; at times it's been bloody lonely.

And we, the Government, in part have been responsible for that. We have not made things easy for you. Despite this, the quality and reputation of your product, your own hard work, your incredible resilience, has resulted in record export sales and will likely go a very long way to save our sorry behinds this year and next. Thank you all very much.  

See, that's what I’d have written as the Agriculture Minister. And I don't think it's over the top.

When you have listened to what these people have been through, these men and women, who have basically propped up this country while others squander the money that they earn. I don't think it's unreasonable to say thank you.

Acknowledge? You acknowledge something has occurred, that happened, huh? Well you look at that record growth. I thank you.

I think is at the very least what our primary producers deserve across the board. 

So you know, I've read the speech. There's a little bit of a hard work and resilience from Nash, from Parker. And acknowledgement from Damien O'Connor. What everybody involved in those sectors deserves is a standing ovation and a round of applause. 

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