What a week we have had in the South Island, met alot of people and had some very interesting discussions about agriculture, new technology and innovation, changing consumer habits, food and wine.

I like farmers, I respect them for being independent businesses, their ability to adapt and their ingenuity, and most of all for producing food for us. It doesn’t matter which diet you seek to find, you do need a farmer. Some will disagree with me as products are now being made in laboratories and factories, but to me it is so against nature and processed, that it isn’t real food in my mind.

While we have been here I have been part of discussions with farmers where they are committing to improve their wenvironment. In the UK I think we are very good at caring for our environment. A difference I have noticed though is that farmers here are not embarrassed to talk about making a profit and the phrase ‘you must be in the black to be in the green’ has been quoted many times. It is true, if you are a profitable business and able to pay bills, care for your family then you can invest in your business, in a green way. Perhaps we could learn from this attitude.

It doesn’t matter what your job is, you need training, and farming is no different. New technology and regulation is common, so we should be trained so we know what is what and how to adapt our businesses. Learning about the environment should be included in this.

Of course government influence behaviour depending on what they want to achieve. Having been a here a week I can see this quite clearly. Subsidies is a topic of discussion everywhere, farmers I have met here firmly believe the removal of subsidies in NZ has resulted in farms improving efficiencies and becoming better businesses. I don’t disagree as elements of the subsidy systems in the UK do limit innovation and a drive for productivity, however I feel there is a much wider benefit to the UK system as it maintains our communities in rural areas, and in Wales there is no doubt that it supports the Welsh language. So I am torn. I want to see farmers be respected by our public and become more professional businesses. I also want our communities to survive and for the next generations to have the option of having an upbringing ad I had. Perhaps we should pull the plaster off quickly in order to achieve both? I am not convinced that is the answer.

Our time in Invercargill was short and sweet, while there we attended the Ballance Farming environmental awards where NZ farmers were awarded for the foresight and contribution to the environment through practices they had implemented on farm. Just a small example of their future here.

When in Invercargill, it is a must to have some blue cod, and oh my word, it was soo delicious!

We head to Wellington next, for the weekend. We have had full, busy days and my little brain needs some time to consider what it has taken in this week!

Catch up in Wellington!!