Silver Fern Farms chief executive Keith Cooper has found himself on the receiving end of some harsh criticism from Federated Farmers.
In the Silver Fern Farms annual report, Mr Cooper reiterated his support for a national animal identification and tracing (Nait) system, saying it would help safeguard New Zealand's reputation in the event of an incident versus a piecemeal approach that would achieve very little.
"We are also concerned at the attitude of elements with the farming community which have greeted the plan with considerable scepticism, translating the plan into a short-term dollars and cents cost model, rather than what it truly is - an investment for the future."
Federated Farmers spokesman Lachlan McKenzie said Mr Cooper's comments implied Australian standards were much higher than those in New Zealand when it came to on-farm verification standards.
All Australian sheep destined for the European Union must be compulsorily tagged from tomorrow. (January 1)"New Zealand's superb on-farm verification standards [run by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority and the Animal Health board] means we are streets ahead of Australia in terms of sheep meat and other exports to the EU.
"The comments could potentially undermine market confidence in New Zealand's food assurance standards when in fact they are of the highest order."
The EU's decision on Australian sheep imports also came after that country failed a periodic EU audit.
Mr Cooper's comments could harm New Zealand's multi-billion dollar meat export trade, Mr McKenzie said.
However, Mr Cooper said that SFF operated in a highly competitive market and needed to be in a position to offer not only best quality but to adapt to overall demand patterns to retain market access and demand.
