Zespri is damning the findings of a Turners & Growers commissioned poll that shows the public is in support of ending its virtual monopoly on kiwifruit exports.
In a response to the findings, a Zespri spokesperson says the results are 'meaningless and misleading”.
'T&G engaged Consumer Link, essentially a call centre which asks whatever questions a client wants it to ask, to ask New Zealanders their views of the New Zealand Kiwifruit industry,” says the spokesperson in a statement.
It continues:
'It is unlikely Tony Gibbs will be very keen to release the full question line, which is why the media is just being given a once-over-lightly summary press statement.
An independent survey by Colmar Brunton, conducted on behalf of NZ Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated in early 2010, said that more than 90 per cent of growers support Zespri and the industry's marketing arrangements.
There has also been equally strong support for the growers' view from across parliament, including from Prime Minister John Key, Agriculture Minister David Carter, Trade Minister Tim Groser and Opposition Leader Phil Goff.
Growers are the people with their livelihoods tied up in the kiwifruit industry and the government has consistently said it will support the industry structure for as long as the overwhelming majority of growers support it.”
Tauranga MP Simon Bridges also supports Zespri and speaks on camera here on the issue.
2 comments
Turners would sell foreign fruit too.
Posted on 19-04-2011 11:56 | By mr mizprint
One of the critisisms Tony Gibbs put forward was Zespri is selling fruit grown offshore. It is a prudent move on Zespri's part to market Northern Hempisphere Kiwifruit so as to be able to offer 12 month continuous supply to it's customers when NZ fruit is out of season & therefore unavailable. Can someone ask Tony Gibbs if Turners would also market foriegn fruit? Absolutely they would.
mr freedom of choice
Posted on 20-04-2011 18:46 | By lee hoggard
surely the big question here is freedom to choose,if zespri is as good as it says it is and all the growers want to stay with them they have no problem and if a few growers want another choice of fruit to grow and a different exporter thats great. when ever is a monopoly a good thing, never. they become fat lazy and corrupt.can you imagine when the interested parties overseas become fully aware that this so called free trading country of ours has in place a state sanctioned monopoly in a billon dollar industry. the law was set up when only green kiwifruit was sold now we have plant variety rights to protect the owner of those rights and they should be allowed to export them its only right and fair. what other industry would allow one company to dominate, its anti competitive. this is nz not nth korea after all
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