Price hikes in food, warnings of shortages to come and now the muted feeling about the latest trade deal, should NZ be rethinking its food policy?
We export most of what we produce, we import lots of foods that we don't produce. Would life be simpler and easier if we tried to be self-sufficient? Or can we achieve the best of all worlds?
Dr Jacqueline Rowarth, Adjunct Professor Lincoln University, is a farmer-elected Director of DairyNZ and Ravensdown and producer-appointed Director on the Board of Deer Industry NZ. She talks to Karyn about our current food policy and what could be done to make us more self sufficient without compromising our export markets.
Royal Gala apples in the Thomas Brothers Talasea Packhouse being packaged for export. Photo: RNZ / Samantha Gee
