The dying wish of Meat & Wool New Zealand may have been granted, as its successor leads the way on a new strategy for the meat sector.

The new Beef + Lamb New Zealand and the Meat Industry Association have agreed to join forces to try and undo years of farmer frustration and modest profits in the industry.

The pair, along with Trade and Enterprise New Zealand and MAF, will lead a wide-ranging study of the issues and opportunities in the sector.

Beef + Lamb chairman Mike Petersen says the strategy looks to finally be a step forward for the entire industry.

“This is something we’ve been championing for some time, and I think industry and ourselves are on the same page here, trying to tackle the big issues.

"We’ve too often heard industry commentators proposing structural changes for the industry, but we’ve been saying for some time we need to get the strategy right first, and then the structural changes that may or may not happen will come later.” 

And Agriculture Minister David Carter says something had to be done to save the meat sector before it collapsed.

“We’ve gotta do it – the meat industry’s really struggling, the [Emissions Trading Scheme] is coming in from the other end and putting real pressure on those marginal hill country farms looking for other income.

"Everything starts to pincer on the meat and wool industry – and we have to do something about it.” 

Federated Farmers is also behind the plan, Meat and Fibre Spokesman Bruce Wills says it may be the industry’s last chance to get it right.

“The detailed stuff hasn’t started yet, I imagine we’ll be working through the detail with the Deloitte people that have been charged with putting this project together, and I'll certainly be giving my views.

"I hope they find a pathway though, and one that takes us somewhere a whole lot better than where we are today.”

The review is expected to be completed early next year.