NZ Catchment Groups Thrive with ‘Source to Sea’ Approach
The most successful catchment groups in NZ are those that have 'a source to sea' approach.
The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) has paid out almost $124 million in compensation for claims related to the cattle disease, Mycoplasma bovis.
In its latest stakeholder update on the disease, MPI says almost 1500 claims were paid and completed: 126 claims are being processed with 23 working days on average to pay a new claim.
To date there have been 218 confirmed cases of M. bovis: 166 in the South Island and 52 in the North Island. Of these, 193 properties have been cleared while 25 remain active.
As at December 2019, over 130,000 animals have been culled. Over 1.1 million tests have been completed on farms.
M. bovis was first identified in New Zealand in July 2017. In May 2018, MPI announced the Government, dairy and beef industries had agreed to eradicate M. bovis from New Zealand.
“Pack your thinking caps. You need more than just farming knowledge for this one.”
Cyber attacks on New Zealand businesses are down.
The man who organised a 57,000 signature petition to ban the export of live animals by sea from NZ says he's delighted that the Government has abandoned plans to reinstate the trade.
Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Will Foley says McCains plans to close its Hastings vegetable processing factory is a "tough pill to swallow" for the Hawke's Bay region.
New Zealand's largest medicinal cannabis operation is looking for contract growers to help meet surging international demand.
The proposed retrenchment of Heinz Wattied's manufacturing presenced in New Zealand will be a blow to the wallets of more than 200 Canterbury vegetable growers.

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