Import rules a pig's ear
Pig farmers say the idea that not every pork product sold in New Zealand has to be produced to this country’s own welfare standards is unfair.
With Gypsy Day fast approaching OSPRI offers advice for NAIT and TBfree.
To ensure you meet your NAIT and TBfree programme obligations follow these steps when moving or selling stock this Gypsy Day.
• Update your contact details with OSPRI and record your stock movements.
• Check the TB status and testing requirements of the area into which you're moving cattle.
• Correctly complete an animal status declaration (ASD) form when shifting stock and do not accept any animals onto a farm if they're not accompanied by a correctly filled-out ASD form.
• Make sure that stock shifting from a movement control area have a pre-movement TB test within 60 days.
"We know that Gypsy day is a busy time of the year but it is important that farmers understand and meet both their NAIT and TBfree programme obligations," says OSPRI chief executive Michelle Edge.
NAIT data is used to trace the movements of potentially infected stock, both on and off farm, so the source of the disease can be identified and special TB testing programmes established to contain the infection.
As long as contact details and location are up to date, OSPRI can call when the herd is due for a TB test. Updating details is quick and easy and is crucial for keeping TB under control.
For help with all of these steps, call OSPRI on 0800 482 463.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
OPINION: Talking about plant-based food: “Chicken-free chicken” start-up Sunfed has had its valuation slashed to zero by major investor Blackbird…
OPINION: Synlait's financial woes won’t be going away anytime soon.