Improving Health and Safety
NZW is assisting Horticulture New Zealand with an ACC funded project looking at ways to improve health and safety across horticulture and viticulture.
Dairy Women's Network is seeking to shift members’ ‘can do’ attitude to one of ‘can do safely’, by means of free workshops called ‘Step up to Safety’, from late October.
These will be run by DWN members experienced in health and safety and supported by Worksafe NZ and Hazardco. “Participants will take away a 90-day health and safety action plan or actions identified to progress to next steps,” said project manager and farmer wellness specialist Lynda Clark.
Some farmers may have got complacent about safety, thinking they are off the hook following the Government’s recent health and safety legislation announcements, Clark says. But it’s not so.
“While sheep, beef, dairy and deer farming are deemed ‘low-risk’ industries, every industry’s workforce should go home safe at the end of each working day.
“These workshops will take health and safety out of the office and onto the farm and discuss what effective health and safety onfarm looks like.”
Attendees will gain better understanding of the current health and safety legislation and how it affects them, and will understand where their businesses are compliant and where they need more action.
Weaker pricing and demand from China continue to impact New Zealand red meat export earnings.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.