Meat Industry Excellence says it will carry on, if farmers want it, despite further resignations from the group's executive.
It intends bringing a remit to Beef and Lamb New Zealand's annual meeting, seeking that a portion of the money set aside for generic marketing be allocated to MIE to drive the ‘‘still much needed reforms'' in the red meat sector.
Last week, Blair Gallagher and Tim Coop, from Canterbury, and Tom O'Sullivan, from the North Island, announced their resignations.
In a combined statement, the trio said it had become obvious, following the successful Silver Fern Farms-Shanghai Maling vote, that MIE would be entering a new phase and that had given them time to reflect on their ongoing commitment.
‘‘We have each given a great deal of voluntary time and effort over the last two years. We thrived on farmer engagement, driving change through director elections, and promoting the Pathways to Long Term Sustainability report,'' they said.
MIE achieved ‘‘a great deal'' during their time on the executive, including a very high calibre of co-operative director candidates, increased voter participation in company elections, and more accountability, they said.
While disappointed they were not able to reform the industry as part of a co-operative solution, they felt proud of the ‘‘huge effort'' they had each put in. It was now time to pull back and focus on other important areas of their lives.
Chairman Peter McDonald, of Dipton, resigned in late October, saying he personally felt there was not a clear and concise goal ahead that was achievable.
MIE was formed in 2013 to push for reform in the red meat industry and Mr McDonald took over as chairman in August this year. He has been replaced by Dave McGaveston, from Tapawera.
A statement sent from John McCarthy, who was Mr McDonald's predecessor, said a new ministerial portfolio to represent rural and regional interests should be lobbied for.
A strategically and properly blended amalgamation of Federated Farmers and Beef and Lamb New Zealand could provide a new start and promote the independence of voice required. MIE believed Beef and Lamb New Zealand had ‘‘lost its way''.
The remit would say MIE believed that if farmers supported it with ‘‘proper funding'', the group would ‘‘add more to their bottom line than some vague and historically unjustified marketing spend''.