Toespraak van minister Henk Kamp bij de 'Future of Food conference' in Auckland

Toespraak | 09-11-2016

Honorable Minister Joyce, Vice-Chancellor Maharey,

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

Allow me to welcome you at this conference today. Next year it will be 375 years ago that Dutchman Abel Tasman became the first European to admire the beauty of New Zealand. Our countries have enjoyed strong and heartfelt ties ever since, in part because some 150,000 New Zealanders have Dutch roots.

 

To build on this shared foundation, I have come to New Zealand with a trade mission comprising almost 60 companies. Over the past few days we have explored Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland. Today, our focus in on an area that is of great importance to both our countries and beyond: the future of food.

 

The future of food means 2 things to me. First, it relates to the future of our planet, which needs to find ways to feed a growing population in a sustainable way. Innovation will be key to developing more effective and efficient ways of producing and transporting affordable, high-quality food for everyone.

 

Second, it relates to the future of both our food industries. The Netherlands is the world’s second largest exporter of food, a major global food transport hub and leading food technology innovator. Agri food, as we call the industry, accounts for 10 per cent of our GDP.

 

In New Zealand, the industry accounts for just over 4 per cent of GDP and around half of exports, mainly dairy, wool and meat. New Zealand also exports horticultural products such as flowers and vegetables, which are known for their high quality. New Zealand is the world’s largest dairy producer and rightly famous for its delicious kiwi fruit.

 

I think it is fair to say that both our countries have the ambition to grow exports and to secure this important source of wealth and jobs. This means we cannot rest on our laurels. Around the world, an increasing number of countries are competing strongly on quantity and price. To stay ahead, we need to innovate and to safeguard the reputation of our agri food products.  

 

I noticed that New Zealand is investing in technological innovation, such as milk meters in the dairy industry, and precision farming, which increases yield while reducing the need for pesticides. I also understand that New Zealand is promoting organic food, and wants to invest in food safety and better water management.

 

The goal of this is not just to increase output and improve New Zealand’s chances in the Asian markets. It will also protect the country’s natural beauty and its reputation for safe and healthy food. That is why this event also includes a trade show that will inspire us to work together on sustainable food production and consumer expectations.

 

This is, of course, the reason we are here. To work together, to co-create and to complement each other’s areas of expertise. My hope is that the Netherlands and New Zealand will find new ways to make each other’s agri food industries more effective and sustainable.

 

A number of areas show promise. Wageningen University and Research and Massey University, who will sign a memorandum of understanding later today, are already co-operating in the area of husbandry production. But the Netherlands is also a pioneer in areas like value chain development, seeds and greenhouse technologies, while our hybrid approach to milk farming, which sees cows indoors part of the time, greatly reduces water pollution.  

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

Today sees a unique confluence of business, academic and political leaders in the area of agri food. Because that is how the future of food begins: by bringing together those with ambition, and vision. Together, we will create a future that is both sustainable and competitive, and able to feed a growing population.  Thank you for participating today and I look forward to talking to some of you later on, when I will have the honour to accompany His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen during their tour of the trade show. Thank you.