Celebrating 40 years of dedication: Lynne Clay’s journey with Verification Services
Massey alumna Lynne Clay, an exceptional government veterinarian in the meat industry, has a remarkable career spanning four decades. From her very first day at Southland Frozen Meat in 1982 to her current role as Team Manager Establishment, Lynne has witnessed significant changes and achieved numerous milestones. Recently recognised at the Verification Services Conference with a Long Service Award, she took a moment to reflect on her journey.
Lynne’s professional path started with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from Massey University in 1978, coinciding with the historic employment of the first female vet in the Meat Division. Interestingly, Lynne had sworn never to work in the meat industry during her degree and instead pursued teaching secondary science. However, destiny had other plans, and an irresistible job offer from the meat industry came her way during her third year of teaching, offering more than double her teaching salary.
Reflecting on that decision, Lynne shares, “My starting salary at the bottom of the Meat Veterinarian (MV) scale was $21,203 plus a $3,780 Meat Industry allowance; for context, we had bought an entry-level home for $28K, and a new Toyota Corona cost about $8K.” Little did she know that what she initially thought would be a short-term endeavour would become a fulfilling and enduring career.
Lynne has witnessed the transformation of workplace culture and the meat industry throughout her career. Initially entering a predominantly male industry, she has several colourful anecdotes from that time. Today, however, she takes pride in the increasing visibility of women in the veterinary profession and primary industries. “I love that farming is an accepted career choice for women,” Lynne says.
An impressive career
Lynne’s work has taken her across various regions, from Southland to Hawkes Bay and the Bay of Plenty. Her journey has followed the evolution of Verification Services from the early 1980s to the present day. She has held multiple positions, including Meat Veterinarian (MV) and Supervising Veterinarian (SV), and served as the Ministry for Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) Quality Management (MQM) SV at New Zealand Beef Packers in Hastings, where she was from the day it opened until the day it closed, with short periods of parental leave for the birth of her daughters.
Lynne has witnessed significant industry changes throughout her tenure. With the transition of MQM to MAF Verification Agency in 1998, she discovered her niche as a team leader in the new structure. Also, she assumed the role of National Training Manager. She experienced major shifts with establishing the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) in 2002, serving as a Regional Technical Specialist and, currently, as Team Manager Establishment. Additionally, she has been the Residues Programme Coordinator for the past ten years.
Reflecting on her journey, Lynne recalls working with various meat industry characters witnessing the progress of the meat industry. She learned the importance of not offending colleagues departing from their positions, as they often resurface in different capacities. She also saw the frequent changes in leadership personnel, with Director Generals and Senior Leadership Team members coming and going. Over the years, Lynne has worked under different acronyms, including MAF (Fisheries), MAF (Forestry), NZFSA, and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), resulting in a collection of titles and ever-changing business cards.
International regulations have profoundly impacted the meat industry, particularly before the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) in 1995. Lynne remembers her time at Tomoana, where the industry had to meet the demanding standards of the European Union (EU). This required up to seven vets working a single shift, ensuring compliance with EU regulations. She recalls the meticulous reviews conducted by representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the EU, whose demands were promptly met without question and applied to all markets.
Highlights so far
When asked about the highlights of her career, Lynne expresses immense satisfaction in witnessing the evolvement of government veterinary positions at meat processing premises into technically demanding and stimulating professional roles. These positions are vital in providing market access and certifying export products, integral to New Zealand’s primary industries.
Looking back on her journey, Lynne acknowledges the swift passage of 40 years. “The 40 years have flown. I’ve enjoyed and appreciated working alongside some awesome verification colleagues. And I’m not finished yet,” Lynne says.