Crazy
OPINION: Your canine crusader was truly impressed by the almost unanimous support given by politicians of all stripes in Parliament to the recent passing of legislation for the NZ/EU free trade deal.
The opposition claims that the Ministry for Primary Industries has ‘dumbed down’ the expertise needed to handle major food safety issues such as the recent 1080 threat.
Labour’s rural issues spokesman Damien O’Connor told Dairy News that such matters require technical expertise and are a crucial area of government.
It’s a worry, he says, alluding to many stories he has heard of delays, confusion and uncertainty in the food safety area that shouldn’t occur in a country so dependent on this. He reiterated his call to pull food safety and biosecurity out of the ‘conglomerate’ of MPI. He says each of these two groups needs to focus solely on its specific tasks.
O’Connor says he’s concerned at way the Government handled the release of the 1080 threat.
“The national launch about the threat was overplayed, the fact that it didn’t continue was great,” he said.
“It was over-hyped from the first press conference. What politicians including the Prime Minister have done is unhelpful. The timing of the disclosure will be exposed in the review of this matter, as will the confusion over how and when exporters should have been notified….
“Some exporters have had product certified by MPI on the water yet MPI knew full well it could be affected by requirements for further testing and that has annoyed a number of exporters.”
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.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.