increase font size
Field horsetail (pictured) is now widespread in parts of the North Island, the upper South Island and on the West Coast.
Federated Farmers are welcoming the application by Landcare Research to introduce the British weevil into New Zealand.
The beetle will act as a biological control against the invasive field horsetail weed, which affects pastoral production.
Field horsetail is now widespread in parts of the North Island, the upper South Island and on the West Coast. The British weevil has the ability to reduce the plant, control its spread and, importantly, would not pose a threat to any other plants.
"Federated Farmers is supportive of any efforts to introduce a proven biological control for a significant pest problem. We now await a final decision from the Environmental Protection Authority and hope their assessment paves the way for a green light," says Federated Farmers pest management spokesperson Chris Allen.
"This weevil gives us a chance to control a highly annoying pest. It will reduce farmers' reliance on chemical weed treatments and help improve the productivity of their pastures."
If approved by the Environment Protection Authority, the introduction of the British weevil will follow the successful use of a parasitoid wasp to control the clover root weevil, which a decade ago posed a significant threat to New Zealand's agricultural sector.
"Clover pasture is the basis of our pastoral farming system, so bringing that pest under control was – and remains – critically important. With the British weevil we now have a chance to achieve the same with the field horsetail weed," says Allen.
OPINION: Bouquets this week from the old mutt for Fed Farmers and Groundswell for continuing to resist the proposed Gore District plan and its intention to apply costly "cultural values" across the district and a raft of land classifications that are unworkable and counterproductive.
A verbal stoush has broken out between Federated Farmers and a new group that claims to be fighting against cheaper imports that undermine NZ farmers.
Taupiri farmer Chris Woolerton is tipped to take over as Federated Farmers Waikato president from next week.
Farmers want more direct, accurate information about both fuel and fertiliser supply.
Federated Farmers is celebrating following the Government's announcement that young farmers will be able to use their KiwiSaver funds to buy their first home or farm.
The Climate Change Commission has recommended maintaining the current New Zealand Emissions Trading System (NZ ETS) settings but warns of a potential unit shortfall as early as 2028.
The Conservative Party warns that the upcoming free trade agreement between New Zealand and India may prioritise increased labour mobility while offering limited reassurance for New Zealand workers.
Southland District Council says it is actively managing the impacts of the current fuel supply challenges to ensure essential services across the district continue to operate safely and reliably.
A large crowd turned out for the last of the field days of the three finalists in this years Ahuwhenua Trophy to determine the top Maori horticulture entity in Aotearoa New Zealand
National's decision to ‘dribble’ information about the NZ/India to Labour contributed to the delay in it deciding to supported the FTA.
A Hawke's Bay farmer has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half-months' home detention and disqualified from being in charge of or owning sheep and cattle for 12 months for serious animal welfare offending.
