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• Disclaimer
• FOREWORD

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ORGANIC FARMING IN NEW ZEALAND:

AN EVALUATION OF THE CURRENT AND FUTURE PROSPECTS INCLUDING AN ASSESSMENT OF RESEARCH NEEDS

Comprehensive Report

Caroline Saunders¹, Jon Manhire²,

Hugh Campbell¹ and John Fairweather¹

MAF PolicyTechnical Paper No: 97/13

ISSN 1171-4662

ISBN 0-478-07462-X

October 1997

¹

Department of Economics and Marketing
Lincoln University
P O Box 84
Canterbury
New Zealand

2

Agriculture New Zealand
P O Box 8640
Riccarton
Christchurch

New Zealand

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure that the information herein is accurate, MAF does not accept liability for error or fact or opinion which may be present, nor for the consequences of any financial decision based on this information.

Any views or opinions expressed do not represent the official view of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Reprinting of material from this report is welcomed (except for commercial use or on advertising or promotional material), provided proper acknowledgement is made to the source.

For additional information:

Comments and enquiries concerning the contents of this document can either be directed to:

Science Policy
MAF Policy
P O Box 2526
WELLINGTON

or

Department of Economics and Marketing
P O Box 84
Lincoln University
Canterbury

FOREWORD

Currently organic farming is receiving a great deal of attention from the media which reflects the level of public interest in it. Interest in it at the political level is clear from the commitment made to it in the 1996 Coalition Agreement.

MAF commissioned this study in order to provide information which can be fed into the 1999 science priority setting process, to be orchestrated by the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology, and which can also be used as a basis for informed general debate on the topic.

The objectives of the study were:

1. To determine the potential for organic farming. This section is primarily a literature review of various aspects of organic farming. The aim was to assess the past trends and current extent of organic farming in New Zealand and to establish its potential for expansion. Factors inhibiting expansion, including market opportunities, were also examined.
2. To evaluate current research investment and identify future research investment needs. This section is based on the results of consultation through various focus groups around New Zealand, a survey, as well as a review of research in New Zealand.
3. To analyse the factors determining the adoption rate of organic farming methods.

This publication is produced as a comprehensive report. A summary document of this report (MAF Policy Technical Paper 97/14) is also available from the Manager, Information Bureau, MAF, P O Box 2526, Wellington.

The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the Ministry of Agriculture.

 

 

Peter Kettle
Director, Science and Resources Policy

Contact for Enquiries

Kay Brown
Sector Performance Policy
MAF Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND

Phone: +64 4 894 0695
Fax: +64 4 4 894 0746
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