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7 Farm succession urgency grows Vol 23 No 25 | June 30, 2025
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Bayer retreat from NZ shocks sector NEWS
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Research
ISMAY and concern have greeted the decision by Bayer Crop Science to exit its Hastings research site and stop work on any new crop product trials in New Zealand. Bayer’s NZ managing director, Chris Miln, told Farmers Weekly the current operating environment and regulatory landscape in NZ make it challenging to justify the company’s time and the expense required to commence research projects that introduce pipeline products. The departure is also likely to see the loss of two experienced research staff from the company’s NZ office. The move reflects growing dissatisfaction among agri-chem companies over the significant time delays they face in getting new products approved in NZ. PGG Wrightson CEO Stephen Guerin told Farmers Weekly PGW has enjoyed a long association with Bayer, trialling and helping develop new crop treatment programmes. “I think NZ must be concerned about this,” he said. Despite the loss of the research property, Guerin said, PGW will try to continue its collaboration work – though the job is only made more expensive and complex with Bayer and its property’s absence.
Miln confirmed Bayer intends to retain a strong commercial presence in NZ, focusing on current registered products and the numerous products under assessment by regulatory authorities. Guerin hopes Bayer’s move will send sufficient signals to the government about the urgency of moving Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) changes along quicker.
It is a deeply worrying prospect when companies of the scale of Bayer do not see a future here in NZ. What does that say to other companies? Dr Liz Shackleton Animal and Plant Health NZ His concerns are echoed by Dr Liz Shackleton, CEO of Animal and Plant Health NZ (APHNZ). “It is no secret all the multinationals are revising their futures in NZ. It is a deeply worrying prospect when companies of the scale of Bayer do not see a future here in NZ. What does that say to other companies?” she said. A recent EPA review made multiple recommendations for streamlining the agency’s approvals rate. Continued page 3
Battle lines drawn for young farmers New Zealand’s champion young farmers are preparing to do battle in Invercargill in the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final. Held over three days from July 3, the competition will pit seven regional finalists against one another, the winner claiming the coveted FMG Young Farmer of the Year title.
YOUNG FARMER OF THE YEAR 17-23
Soft skills for robotic picker
S FOECT CU OR S
Richard Rennie
A team from the University of Waikato is developing technology to help ease labour shortages in the horticulture sector and reduce fruit wastage.
HORTICULTURE 16 RMA rewrite means changes likely for regional councils.
Exporters mull options as missiles fly in the Middle East.
Rural needs must be heard in new suicide prevention plan.
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NEWS 5
OPINION 15