MPI cuts 391 jobs
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has informed staff it will cut 391 jobs following a consultation period.
Fifty-three new orchards were reported as infected with Psa –V in the past week, a big jump from just five new infections for the week before.
The weekly report from Kiwifruit Vine Health says there are now 1030 orchards infected, which is 31% of all New Zealand kiwifruit orchards and 39% of all orchard hectarage.
The big increase this week in new Psa-V results reflects notifications recently reported by pack-houses from monitoring results collated over several weeks.
The new Psa-V identifications include 45 orchards in the Te Puke region and eight in the Tauranga region. The total number of orchards identified with Psa-V is 1030.
Psa-V has been found on Bay of Plenty orchards in the following areas: Te Puke (824); Tauranga (97); Whakatane (47); Opotiki (30); Katikati (13); Waihi (14); as well as in South Auckland on five orchards in Franklin. See www.kvh.org.nz/statistics.
The primary sector is leading New Zealand's economic recovery, according to economist and researcher Cameron Bagrie.
Dairy industry leader Jim van der Poel didn't make much of the invitation he received to the recent New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards in Rotorua.
Farmers around the country are going public big time, demanding their local district, city and regional councils come up with amalgamation plans that meet the needs of rural communities and don't allow urban councils to dominate.
The battle for the rural vote is on and parties are securing high profile names to try and bolster their chances at the general election.
Horticulture New Zealand says proposed changes to the Plant Variety Rights Act 2022 will drive innovation, investment and long-term productivity.
More than 1200 exhibitors will showcase their products and services at next month’s National Fieldays, with sites nearly sold out.

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