Domestic partnerships
New Zealand United States Council
The NZ-US Council is a non-partisan body funded by business and the government to foster a strong and mutually beneficial relationship between New Zealand and the United States.
The council is an advocate for the expansion of trade and economic links between the two countries. This two-way trade is currently worth NZ$8 billion a year.
Together with its counterpart in Washington, the council organises the US-NZ Partnership Forum – a round table for discussing trade and business opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region.
Find out more about the NZ-US Council
International Business Forum
We represent sheep and beef farmers’ interests among this collaboration of business leaders from New Zealand’s export, manufacturing and service sectors.
The forum believes global alliances are critical to New Zealand’s economic future, and is focused on expanding the country’s international business opportunities.
Its top priority is nurturing and developing our business and economic relationship with Japan. Other forum projects include Korea and India, a watching brief on Russia and the European Union and support for existing strategies with Australia, the United States and China.
Find out more about the International Business Forum
Land and Water Forum
B+LNZ is part of the Land and Water Forum, which advises the environment and agriculture ministers on long-term strategies for New Zealand’s fresh water.
The forum includes primary industry groups, iwi and environmental and recreational
non-governmental organisations with an interest in freshwater and land management.
Find out more about the Land and Water Forum
National Animal Identification and Tracing
We are a shareholder in the industry-owned company responsible for implementing an animal identification and traceability system to protect New Zealand’s access to overseas markets and safeguard farmers’ incomes.
The scheme will become mandatory in 2012. Meanwhile, we continue to work to ensure the system is robust, affordable, and has strict rules to protect private farmer data.
See the National Animal Identification and Tracing website for more details.
Animal Health Board
The Animal Health Board’s mission is to eradicate bovine tuberculosis (TB) in New Zealand. It has a legal responsibility to manage and implement the National Pest Management Strategy for bovine TB, with powers under the Biosecurity Act 1993.
Board representatives come from the farming sector and local government. It is accountable to its member organisations and to the Minister of Agriculture.
Find out more on the Animal Health Board website
International partnerships
Five Nations Beef Alliance
In February 2010 Beef + Lamb New Zealand hosted beef producers from Australia, Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The alliance provides a forum for the five nations to discuss animal health, welfare, and market access issues, and co-ordinate responses on issues that affect trade in beef and livestock.
Find out more about the Five Nations Beef Alliance
Tri-Lamb Group
B+LNZ is committed to the Tri-Lamb Group, a forum that enables us to work with Australian and United States lamb producer groups to develop the US market.
The group’s major focus has been raising awareness among Americans of the health benefits of eating lamb, regardless of origin.
Members have also agreed to align policy positions on various issues wherever possible and share information and networks in areas like sheep genomics.
Find out more about lamb promotion in the US on the Lean on Lamb website
International Meat Secretariat
The International Meat Secretariat provides an excellent opportunity to work with other producer nations from around the world.
We discuss issues like sustainability, animal welfare, animal identification and traceability, and food safety risks, to ensure they don’t become barriers to international markets.
Find out more about the International Meat Secretariat