MPI cuts 391 jobs
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has informed staff it will cut 391 jobs following a consultation period.
Restrictions in an Auckland suburb where one Queensland fruit fly was found may be lifted this weekend after no more have been found.
The Ministry for Primary Industries expects to review the controlled area notice and current fruit movement restrictions this week. The earliest these restrictions will be lifted is Saturday, May 26.
Meanwhile work continues in MPI's response to the finding of a single male Queensland fruit fly in a surveillance trap in Avondale on May 8.
Since that detection, MPI has run an intensive surveillance programme of trapping and fruit inspection to find if a population of the fruit fly is present in the area.
Work underway includes clearing fruit fly traps placed in fruiting trees and inspections of fruit from the area.
To date there have been no further detections of the fruit fly and no adverse reactions from trading partners.
MPI continues to be grateful for community support for the work underway, particularly in complying with requests to avoid moving fruit and vegetables from the controlled area around where the initial fruit fly was found.
Full information about the Queensland fruit fly is on the MPI website at: www.mpi.govt.nz and follow the fruit fly button.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.