Latest news with #EricRoy
Otago Daily Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Voice for primary industries, rural communities for nearly 60 years
A Gore-born farmer, lobbyist and ex-politician was surprised to win an award recently after only putting forward a nomination in the hope it would raise his profile. At the Primary Industries New Zealand Awards in Christchurch last month, Eric Roy won the outstanding contribution to primary industries award. As chairman of NZ Pork, a councillor for Environment Southland and on various advisory panels, Mr Roy said he thought it might be a good idea for his profile to put his hat in the ring. It still came as a surprise however, when he realised, he might be winning on the night. "I was sitting there ... and I thought, why are five of my senior staff and three of my fellow directors here at our table?" "I need to cobble a few thoughts together." When The Ensign spoke to him a week later he had already had a productive morning, helping his farm manager in Te Anau. Past retirement age, the six-term MP shows no signs of slowing down. "I can't help myself," he said. "People say, when are you going to retire? And I say, when I'm old, I'm only 77." The awards judging panel said Mr Roy was a voice for primary industries and rural communities, for nearly 60 years. When asked what problems were facing farmers and rural communities today, politically and financially, he listed three things. In no particular order, he cited the dwindling numbers of farmers, the politics of the environment and the controversy of genetic modification as key problems. The succession model of owners handing down their farms to their children, as his had done, was no longer working. "Some figures that were given at the Primary Industry Conference were like about 40% of current farmers are over 65," he said. "I can't remember the exact figure, but it was just saying hang on, we need to recruit some more people into the industry." He also said climate change had become a "non-tariff barrier against farmers". He said countries in Europe had set the standards for climate action in a way that was tilted against countries like New Zealand. His final point was that it was needed next to decide what was happening with genetic engineering, as it was used freely for such things as medical research and the production of insulin for diabetics. Yet genetic engineering was frowned upon when it came to enhancing farming in areas like pest-control, creating drought-resistant grasses and products that reduced methane gas in ruminant animals, he said. "There's a very noisy group of people saying we can't do this in agriculture." He said as chairman of NZ Pork it had been trying to get a new welfare code for four "torturous" years. With new space and farrowing rules, he hoped to have the new code finalised in a couple of months. That was why he was happy to be nominated for the outstanding contribution award, to give him more credibility when ringing up a government minister or presenting submissions on these issues. "That was probably the driver."
Otago Daily Times
29-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Roy honoured for contribution
Eric Roy. Photo: supplied Southland farmer and New Zealand Pork chairman Eric Roy was recognised with the outstanding contribution to primary industries award last week. Mr Roy was presented the prize at the 2025 Primary Industries New Zealand Awards in Christchurch. Comments from a judging panel said Mr Roy's production, leadership, advocacy and political service to primary industries and rural communities in New Zealand and the wider Pacific spanned nearly 60 years. His work for Young Farmers culminated in his election as world president, and the six-term MP has also excelled in roles with Federated Farmers, Pāmu, the Meat & Wool Board and a host of community and charity initiatives. "Few can match his contribution — Eric Roy is a truly exceptional New Zealander." NZ Pork deputy chairman Jason Palmer said Mr Roy had been chairman of NZ Pork since 2019. "Eric's decades of service to farming, rural communities and public life reflect a commitment to doing the right thing for farmers, the primary sector and the country. "He's provided invaluable leadership to NZ Pork during his time on our board, helping shape the future of sustainable pig farming in New Zealand."
Otago Daily Times
25-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
'Top farmer' posthumously named Rural Hero
The late Mid Canterbury farmer Chris Allen was posthumously named Rural Hero in a touching moment at the Primary Industries New Zealand Awards. Mr Allen, 62, died after he was electrocuted while fixing a garage door last December, leaving a rural community paying tribute to his leadership and negotiating skills as a Federated Farmers board member for eight years. In other highlights Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty sharefarmer chairwoman Bridie Virbickas was presented with the Emerging Leader Award at the annual awards ceremony in Christchurch. More than 400 farmers and industry people attended the function, part of the two-day Primary Industries New Zealand (PINZ) Summit. Mr Allen's contribution to farming led supporters to say every farming family was in his debt for his years of championing rural causes. Judges praised the collaborative nature, persistence and practicality of the Federated Farmers leader for his advocacy on freshwater, environmental and biodiversity issues. "A top farmer in his own right, he led with humour and knowledge." The judging panel described Ms Virbickas as making a strong mark in the dairy sector - managing 850 cows while leading beyond the farm gate. As an elected sharefarmer leader, she supports fellow farmers in areas such as dispute resolution, and practical workshops. She is also a founding trustee of AgRecovery, helping reduce farm waste nationwide, and leads on-farm restoration projects with schools and councils. Southland farmer and NZ Pork chairman since 2019 Eric Roy was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to Primary Industries Award. His production, leadership and political service to primary industries and rural communities spans nearly 60 years. The six-term Member of Parliament has held roles with Federated Farmers, Pāmu, the Meat & Wool Board and other community and charity initiatives. "Few can match his contribution - Eric Roy is a truly exceptional New Zealander," the judging panel said. NZPork deputy chairman Jason Palmer said his decades of service to farming, rural communities and public life reflected a commitment to doing the right thing. 'He has provided invaluable leadership to NZPork during his time as chairman on our board, helping shape the future of sustainable pig farming in New Zealand. We're really pleased to see that contribution recognised at a national level.' A Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) project to help farmers get the most out of their combine harvesters won the Technology Innovation Award. Workshops and follow-up one-on-one sessions resulted in improvements in harvest efficiency, productivity, sustainability and profitability. Farmers reported increases in yields of between 20% and 50%. FAR technology manager Chris Smith said the workshops showed the importance of growers measuring and monitoring potential grain and seed losses and fine-tuning settings. 'Growers have only one opportunity to harvest a crop. Once it is gone out the back of the harvester it is too late.' The Team and Collaboration Award went to Fonterra, LIC, Ballance and Ravensdown for an open data sharing ecosystem, saving farmers an estimated 250,000 hours so far in administration. Dr Robyn Dyne won the Primary Industries Champion Award for her research in nitrate leaching and emissions. Food, Beverage and Fibre Producer Award winners Chia Sisters combines fruit and ingredients such as kawakawa and chia seeds in their health food drinks and were singled out for their commitment to sustainability and innovation. PacificVet and co-founder Dr Kent Keitemeyer won the Guardianship and Conservation/Kaitiakitanga Award.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brest's Mathias Pereira Lage to join St. Pauli
Mathias Pereira Lage (28) will not remain at Stade Brestois beyond his current deal, which expires this summer. L'Équipe understands that the Frenchman will join Bundesliga side St. Pauli. Former Portugal U21 forward Pereira Lage has been used largely as a squad player by Brest, however, he nonetheless featured prominently this season (42 appearances in all competitions, four goals, eight assists), notably playing nine games in the Breton club's UEFA Champions League campaign. Advertisement Since making the move to Les Ty-Zéfs, the forward has played 99 games, scoring nine and registering 13 assists. However, after the most successful season of his time with Brest, he is set to take on a new challenge – his first outside of France. L'Équipe understands that, rather than extending at Eric Roy's side, he will join Bundesliga club St. Pauli. He is set to sign a three-year deal with the German side, who last season finished 14th in the top-flight. GFFN | Luke Entwistle
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eric Roy extends as Brest head coach
Eric Roy has extended his contract as Brest head coach, the Ligue 1 club has announced this Friday. Roy would have been a free agent at the expiry of his contract next June. The former OGC Nice and Sunderland midfielder has agreed to a two-year extension with Les Pirates. Roy will therefore continue as Brest head coach until 2027. On Saturday, Brest will play their final game of the Ligue 1 season away at Nice. Roy led Brest to unprecedented heights. He joined the Brittany club in early 2023 and was tasked to lift Brest above the relegation zone, which he brilliantly did. The following season, with Brest nailed on to fight again for their survival, Roy defied the odds again, guiding the energetic Pirates to a fantastic third-place finish, thus booking their ticket for the Champions League. Advertisement With Roy at the helm again, Brest did more than hold their own against Europe's elite for their first-ever continental competition. They eventually fell to finalists PSG in the playoff rounds. In Ligue 1, despite the strain of ten Champions League games, Brest have worked their way to 8th in the standings. GFFN | Bastien Cheval
