Why our future depends on taking biosecurity seriously
OPINION: When it comes to biosecurity, we often hear about the end of a response, but it’s the beginning that helps determine our success.
The forestry industry has become the sixth industry group to join the Government Industry Agreement (GIA) biosecurity partnership.
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy says, "It's great to forest owners working with the Ministry for Primary Industries to manage and respond to the most important biosecurity risks,
"A growing number of industries have now signed up to work together with the Government through the GIA."
Associate Minister Jo Goodhew says MPI has worked with the forestry sector in biosecurity surveillance for over 50 years, looking out for potential forestry pests that can cause serious disease to trees and threaten the forestry industry. This government-industry relationship will be further enhanced under GIA,
"Forestry is New Zealand's third largest export earner behind dairy and meat, earning around $4.6 billion in exports. Protection from unwanted pests and diseases is very important to this major industry."
Guys says biosecurity is his main priority as MPI minister, as shown in the extra $27 million in the 2015 Budget to fund more detector dogs, x-ray machines and inspectors.
"We also have the new passenger levy, which will mean increasing passenger numbers will fund services at the border from next year onwards," says Guy.
"Biosecurity is a shared responsibility and we need the input of industry and the wider public to make the system as effective as possible."
The Forestry Owners Association joins Kiwifruit Vine Health, Pipfruit New Zealand, New Zealand Pork, New Zealand Equine Health Association and Onions New Zealand under GIA.
An independent report, prepared for Alliance farmer shareholders is backing the proposed $250 million joint venture investment by Irish company Dawn Meats Group.
Whangarei field service technician, Bryce Dickson has cemented his place in John Deere’s history, becoming the first ever person to win an award for the third time at the annual Australian and New Zealand Technician of the Year Awards, announced at a gala dinner in Brisbane last night.
NZPork has appointed Auckland-based Paul Bucknell as its new chair.
The Government claims to have delivered on its election promise to protect productive farmland from emissions trading scheme (ETS) but red meat farmers aren’t happy.
Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks could have a detrimental impact on any country's rural sector, as seen in the United Kingdom's 2000 outbreak that saw the compulsory slaughter of over six million animals.
The Ministry for the Environment is joining as a national award sponsor in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA from next year).