Producer boards merger inching forward: Acland

By PHILIPPA STEVENSON

Work on amalgamating the meat and wool producer boards is progressing slowly, says John Acland, the retiring chairman of Meat New Zealand.

"Current indications are that it could be two years before the Wool Board is disestablished, and some major policy issues need to be agreed on between the two organisations before any amalgamation takes place," Mr Acland said at the Meat NZ annual meeting.

"A strategic working party made up of the chairmen, deputies and chief executives of the two boards has held some discussions, but unfortunately progress has been slow and there are differing views on how the new organisation should be structured.

"I personally favour a small board of no more than nine directors, with the major number representing the interests of livestock farmers," said Mr Acland.

"It will not be an easy decision and one I am sure will be hotly debated."

He said both boards agreed that a single organisation for sheep, beef and goat farmers made sense, and could save $5 million to $6 million annually.

Mr Acland will leave the board next year. His replacement as chairman will be decided at this month's board meeting.

The favourite is present deputy chairman Jeff Grant.