Two new FTA groups are being established to analyse the likely impacts of high oil prices on our transport system and agriculture.  These two sectors have been singled out as being very crucial to the way we live, and on the face of it, could be affected quite significantly when oil prices rise sometime in the relatively near future.

The Agriculture Group’s first meeting is on 9 February.  Gordon Rabey will be taking the group through its paces with a ‘mind mapping’ exercise to identify where the sensitive issues might lie, prior to in depth analysis of each to better see what responses are needed.

The group’s initial membership is; Graham Butler, a member of the energy group and ex Director General of  The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), John Lancashire, onetime Director of the Grasslands Division, DSIR and currently president, NZ Institute of Agricultural & Horticultural Research, Bruce Ross, a former Director General of MAF, and Head of Lincoln University and Mike Gould.  Information flowing from the group’s activities will be featured on this website.

The Transport Group is still being formed, but is expected to meet in the near future.