About us

History

Our association was set up in 1948 as a trade group within the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation, now part of Business New Zealand.
The first meeting took place in Wellington on January 29, 1948.

What's in a name?

We were first named the New Zealand Agricultural Chemical Manufacturers’ Federation. This became the Agricultural Chemical and Animal Remedy Manufacturers Association, which was shortened to Agcarm.

In 2022, Agcarm became the Animal and Plant Health Association of New Zealand Incorporated (Animal and Plant Health NZ).

Why were we established?

A driving force behind our establishment was the Stock Remedies Board which came into being, along with new regulations in January 1948. Other important issues were stock food regulations, shipping rates and the need for prompter action by government laboratories in testing various samples and new products submitted by member firms.

One of the earliest presidents was Mr D.A. Watkins who in 1955 described our aim as building “a sound industry that is closely connected with and has a full understanding of, the primary industries of this country. It is our aim to serve the farmer, orchardist and market gardener and, of course, that very important section of the public, the home gardener”.

Members

Individuals and firms were eligible for membership if they were actively manufacturing:
(i) Stock remedies as defined in the Stock-Remedies Act 1934 and subsequent amendments or;
(ii) Insecticides, (including domestic insecticides), fungicides, weedicides and growth regulating chemicals

Subscription fees

At our first annual general meeting, members set a subscription of two pounds two shillings per member firm. Our estimated total income on this basis would be approximately £70.

Past Presidents