Celebrating success
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 bill that makes the most significant changes to the Biosecurity Act in 15 years has passed into law.
The Biosecurity Law Reform Bill makes a wide range of amendments to the Act, along with related amendments to four other Acts.
"New Zealand has a highly effective biosecurity system which is recognised as world-leading, but the legislation has not kept pace with the way the system has had to evolve to meet ever-growing challenges," says Primary Industries Minister David Carter.
"The amended Act covers the areas of border biosecurity, joint decision-making on newly detected harmful organisms and on-going management of established pests.
"The reforms will enable better use of information to target risks and encourage partnerships in the management of potential biosecurity incursions."
Carter says a key plank of the reforms is the development of government-industry agreements on preparing for, and responding to, newly detected pests and diseases, and for sharing the costs of jointly-agreed activities.
"Protecting New Zealand from biosecurity risks cannot be the role of government alone. Industry expertise needs to be brought to the decision-making table to help improve prioritisation and our preparedness to respond to incursions.
"This important piece of legislation is a further step in fulfilling the vision of the Ministry for Primary Industries to grow and protect New Zealand," Carter says.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
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