Representatives from across the New Zealand deer industry have gathered in Wellington for the sector's 2019 conference.
New Zealand is the number one source for farm-raised venison worldwide with around 2000 farmers farming approximately one million deer.
- Industry encouraged by increase in deer numbers
- Promotion pushes summer sales of NZ venison in Europe
Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) producer manager Tony Pearse said the conference theme of "Reflections and Directions" reflects the rapidly-changing social environment in which all farming now operates.
"Not so long ago our conferences were all about growing and marketing venison and velvet for greater profit," he said.
"Now we are increasingly looking at how we can do this in a way that meets rapidly changing consumer and public expectations," said Pearse.
The conference is being held in Wellington on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 May.
It will also feature the annual Deer Industry and Matuschka Awards, and the 2019 Biennial Environmental Awards.
DINZ recently criticised the Government's emissions reduction targets for agriculture saying, under current conditions, the targets would result in significant reductions in stock numbers.
Newshub.
