EDITOR'S NOTE
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Eco this, carbon zero that… you can’t get
away from it. It’s an avalanche of a trend that
all within business circles will have to include
within their model of operandi. Doing it green.
Manufacturers, producers, distributors – all
within the food industry – will have to literally
clean up their game to meet standards and the
strong and strengthening call to do things the
right way for the planet and its future.
Change, as we all know, can be hard. But
change is also where opportunity lays in wait.
NZ Food Technology News will be making a
dedication to highlighting further what you need
to know to upskill in knowledge and equipment
to operate at capacity while keeping that carbon
footprint small… or zero, eventually.
If you have a product, service or are currently
doing business clean and green let us know
what you’re doing and how by emailing
greg@hayleymedia.com
CHIT CHAT
“We’ve advocated for many years
that New Zealand business law
dealing with unfair practices
needed to be strengthened and
aligned with Australian law.
These proposals are well on the
way to achieving that.
“There’s no one-size-fits-all
solution for small businesses but
these proposals will make a huge
difference.
“FGC submitted on the proposals
in the Government’s discussion
document and, like other
submitters, provided examples of
unfair conduct and contracts our
members had experienced, and
the impacts, such as negative
cash flow, stress, business
interruption, reduced profitability,
and a reduced ability to focus on
growing their business.
“We said such prohibitions
should capture only particularly
egregious conduct, and that most
typical business dealings and
behaviour should not be affected,
and the Government has listened.
These proposals don’t undermine
businesses’ ability to compete,
participate in robust negotiations,
or enter into contracts.
“It was important that whatever
changes were made brought us
into line with other countries we
trade with, and that’s happened,
with these proposals being
modelled on Australian law.
“There, they have had some form
of prohibition on ‘unconscionable
conduct’ since 1986, and their
Unfair Contract Terms regime
was expanded in 2016 to protect
small businesses.
“This is particularly relevant,
considering the Single Economic
Market benefits for New
Zealand having law that is more
consistent with Australia’s.
“These proposals will also
complement the Commerce
Commission’s new powers to
accept enforceable undertakings
and to undertake competition
studies, and could lead to
reduced costs for businesses,
especially small businesses.”
OPPORTUNITY OOZES FROM
THE GREENER GRASSES OF HOME
FOOD & GROCERY COUNCIL WELCOMES
PROPOSALS ON UNFAIR BUSINESS CONDUCT
The New Zealand Food & Grocery Council says in a release that it welcomes the Government’s proposals to introduce
legislation prohibiting “unconscionable”, or unfair, business conduct and protecting businesses from unfair contract
terms. Chief executive Katherine Rich says this is a pro-business move and will particularly benefit small food and grocery
manufacturers.
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