Farming’s image has taken a significant dent in Kiwis’ eyes over the last 10 years, although the public is the least positive about commercial fishing and forestry. Source: Stuff NZ
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) survey shows an almost equal unhappiness from people in the city and country to aspects of the way the primary sector does its business.
Both Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor and Federated Farmers have said the key finding of the survey is the lack of an urban-rural divide, because on most questions town and country shared similar levels of positivity or negativity.
People living in both urban and rural areas agree water quality is the biggest environmental issue facing the primary sector.
Mr O’Connor said the findings went against media reports, which have suggested there was a growing divide and polarisation of views between the two groups.
“I think it shows that over the last 10 years there has been a lot of attention on the primary sector, and the public expects more,” Mr O’Connor said.
Horticulture is favourably viewed because of its economic contribution and light environmental impact.
Federated Farmers president Katie Milne said she gave the survey a lot of credence because it also included focus groups which delved deeper into the issues.
Only 59% of urbanites and 63% of rural dwellers feel positive about farming today, compared with 78% and 83% respectively in 2008.
People feel especially negative towards fishing, with only 39% living in cities having a positive view, compared with 40% for their country cousins.
Reasons for negativity are overfishing, a poorly managed quota system, high rates of bycatch and the fact it is perceived as wasteful.
A spokesperson for Seafood NZ said it was aware of the public’s negative perceptions.
“While we are immensely proud of the innovation, science and research that has resulted in the New Zealand seafood industry held up as an international example of sustainable best practice, we also recognise we have not always told our story well.”
Forestry has fallen out of favour, from 52% 10 years ago having a positive view of the industry to 42 % today.
It is seen as having poor environmental management and a dangerous health and safety record.
A total of 1245 participants and nine focus groups took part in the survey, which follows up a similar one done in 2008.
New Zealanders regard horticulture the most favourably, with 69% of rural and 66% or urban respondents holding a positive view of the horticulture industry, up from 58% and 60% in 2008.
Reasons mentioned for why people felt good were “the industry is booming”, and “I like horticulture, it is not hard on the environment.”
People felt better about sheep and beef farming than they did about dairying. On the positive side, dairying was considered positive because it was good for the economy, but it was viewed as having a poor environmental record, equally by urban and rural respondents.
Respondents said the most significant environmental issue facing New Zealand was water quality (rural 53% and urban 47%).
They agreed expansion through value-add products was good for New Zealand (rural 70% and urban 69%) and were equally concerned about threats to biosecurity from pests and disease (rural 88% and urban 87%).
There was a sharp increase in urban respondents who agreed that everyone should have access to services and most would pay a bit more if it meant rural people could access them at a reasonable cost – 63%, up from 52% in 2008.
New Zealanders were generally positive about animal welfare, and in particular the focus groups felt that New Zealand led the world in animal welfare standards and performance.
Both urban and rural Kiwis indicated that better lifestyle, open spaces, population size and clean environment were the positives about living in rural areas. Lack of infrastructure, lack of amenities and facilities, distance from school, work and friends and isolation were seen as key negatives.
