Submitted by admin on April 22, 2009 - 20:52
Constitution and Aims
The Council comprises representatives from Federated Farmers, the Dairy Production and Marketing Board, the Wool Board, the Meat Producers' Board, the Department of Agriculture, and the Treasury. It is presided over by the Minister of Agriculture, with the Director-General of Agriculture as his deputy. In addition, there is power to co-opt members from other organisations and Departments. The Government provides a small secretariat. The Agricultural Production Council is primarily designed to serve as an effective means of consultation between bodies responsible for agricultural production. It will keep under review and, if necessary, propose changes in the livestock target of 111 million ewe equivalents adopted by the Conference and the Government as necessary to maintain the country's economic growth, and it will advise the Minister on measures needed to attain this target. Through its Central Information Committee, the Council will publicise agricultural objectives and the incentives available to farmers to induce them to increase production. District Committees will keep the Council informed of local progress and problems and special Working Parties will be set up, from time to time, to investigate specific questions.
by Patrick Russell Stephens, M.A., Economics Section, Department of Agriculture, Wellington.