MPI job cuts 'won't disrupt organisational structure'
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
The High Court has ordered a five-day relief to nurseries and orchardists who face losing tens of thousands of apple and stonefruit plants imported from the US.
The ruling means Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) must re-engage with the orchardists and nurseries.
In his ruling Justice Francis Cooke said he “found that the Ministry applied the wrong set of provisions to the present circumstances, and the other provisions may now need to be considered”.
The court injunction was sought by five importers challenging MPI’s directive for nurseries and orchardists to contain and/or destroy tens of thousands of apple (Malus) and stonefruit (Prunus) plants.
In a statement the importers say judge found that the MPI directions, issued under s116 of the Biosecurity Act were unlawful and has directed MPI to reconsider.
“The judgment encourages MPI to work with industry to develop and agree a more appropriate set of directions that address their key biosecurity concerns.
“The industry members have always been willing to undertake meaningful dialogue with MPI in order to achieve an appropriate outcome, and now look forward to an improved level of engagement from MPI.”
Kerry Sixtus of Pattullo’s Nurseries said, “We are encouraged by the High Court judgment and will move forward to engage with MPI as quickly as possible in order to achieve a suitable position that accommodates the needs of both parties.
“The group has always believed that MPI should have taken a more considered approach to this issue from day one, rather than a blanket seizure of all plant material.
“We have now proven, and the High Court Judge has recognised, that MPI was using a sledge hammer to crack a nut.
“This now provides us with the opportunity to define a course of action for the different varieties and for the plants at different stages of growth.
“This has been a costly distraction for us during an incredibly busy time of year, but we are willing to move forward and salvage what we can from this bureaucratic mess,” says Kerry.
The mood in horticulture is cautiously optimistic, according to the chair of Horticulture NZ, Barry O'Neil.
New Zealand’s major primary industry exporters have secured shipping capability to export $160 billion worth of products over the next 10 years.
The mood in the deer industry is very positive and on an upwards trajectory.
Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says the Government is always working to ensure that our food exporters are treated fairly under trade agreements signed with other countries.
Coronet Peak, Queenstown, was the venue for the 2024 NZ Dairy Industry Awards.
AgriZeroNZ, the joint venture (JV) fast-tracking emissions reduction tools for Kiwi farmers, is looking to speed up delivery of a methane vaccine with a $10m investment in US ag-biotech start-up, ArkeaBio.
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