increase font size
DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker.
DairyNZ says a more integrated and sustainably-funded biosecurity system is needed as part of changes to the Biosecurity Act 1993.
Earlier this year, the Government announced a public consultation on amendments to the Biosecurity Act in a bid to strengthen the biosecurity system.
DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker says a strong biosecurity system is crucial to safeguard and protect the future of New Zealand dairy farming.
“The current system is fragmented and is funded through multiple levies, each with their own legislative provisions and administration,” Parker says.
He says the different programmes often have the same stakeholders and this duplication is frustrating for many farmers.
“We would like to see a more integrated and sustainably-funded biosecurity system that prioritises investment in readiness to make sure we are prepared for any future biosecurity events,” Parker says.
In its submission, DairyNZ highlights the proposed changes to the Government Industry Agreement (GIA) for readiness and response, and provides feedback on proposed changes to compensation settings and eligibility under the Act.
Parker says New Zealand needs to invest in appropriate system-wide preparedness for major biosecurity events to reduce the impact on the sector.
“Our current Biosecurity Act is over 30 years old, and these new proposed amendments will look to modernize the act,” he says.
“Change is needed and DairyNZ welcomes the opportunity to work with the Government to make sure the voices of dairy farmers are heard.
“We remain focused on talking to our farmers around the country to share updates, information, answer questions, provide examples and represent their views during this important consultation period,” Parker concludes.
DairyNZ says its plantain programme continues to deliver promising results, with new data confirming that modest levels of plantain in pastures reduce nitrogen leaching, offering farmers a practical, science-backed tool to meet environmental goals.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
DairyNZ has pulled together tactics that will help farmers improve on-farm efficiency and have positive benefits for the environment. These tactics are based on research, data, and lessons from leading farmers.
The design and construction of an effective dairy effluent system is a complex process.
After serving three as a DairyNZ director, Waikato farmer Chris Lewis is ready for another term.
NZPork has appointed Auckland-based Paul Bucknell as its new chair.
The Government claims to have delivered on its election promise to protect productive farmland from emissions trading scheme (ETS) but red meat farmers aren’t happy.
Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks could have a detrimental impact on any country's rural sector, as seen in the United Kingdom's 2000 outbreak that saw the compulsory slaughter of over six million animals.
The Ministry for the Environment is joining as a national award sponsor in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA from next year).
Kiwis are wasting less of their food than they were two years ago, and this has been enough to push New Zealand’s total household food waste bill lower, the 2025 Rabobank KiwiHarvest Food Waste survey has found.
OPINION: Sir Lockwood Smith has clearly and succinctly defined what academic freedom is all about, the boundaries around it and the responsibility that goes with this privilege.
OPINION: Should cows in NZ be microchipped?
OPINION: Legislation being drafted to bring back the controversial trade of live animal exports by sea is getting stuck in the…
