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.
It is great to see all those involved with bobby calves working cooperatively and positively to forestall a repeat of the terrible incident that aired on television showing mistreatment of these helpless animals.
MPI and many heavyweight industry groups joined forces to educate their members and the public on what they are doing to protect these creatures.
The workshops run by DairyNZ with the NZ Veterinary Association were excellent and no farmer can any longer offer the excuse 'we didn't know' what was expected. Also, MPI has done an equally good job of getting the message out to all stakeholders.
The setting up of the bobby calf action group was a sign of true leadership in the primary sector and the public needs to recognise that farmers and others in the sector care as much about the welfare of animals as the so-called animal rights groups.
Still it must be said that the animal rights people did a good job in 'outing' those who treated bobby calves cruelly. Animal rights group will by and large cease to exist when there is nothing for them to complain about. But maybe that is asking too much.
One has to admire the transparency of MPI which is saying to the public 'tell us if you see something you think is wrong'. This shows MPI is committed to getting the public to understand it will take seriously any mistreatment of animals and that it will crack down on people who break the law.
As MPI's Scott Gallacher points out, there is also an opportunity for the rural sector to educate the wider public on normal good farm management practices which can sometimes appear as cruel when it is not. An obvious example is the docking of sheep.
This whole saga has shown that farmers and everyone in the supply chain have no place to hide. Most Kiwis have a cellphone with a camera and within minutes any hint of malpractice can be widely circulated on social media.
The new rules taking effect on August 1 are the first of many coming in during the next year. It would be great if farmers and others saw fit to implement these changes ahead of time and show the public they don't just follow rules but lead the charge -- farming in ways that anticipate the expectations of consumers and the public.
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.
World Veterinary Day falls on Saturday 27 April.
The Director General of MPI, Ray Smith says it's important for his department to celebrate the success of a whole range of groups and people around the country.
A small company which mobilised veterinarians around the country to deal with Mycoplasma bovis was one of the winners in this year's Biosecurity Awards, held at Parliament.
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