Honey sector strategy aiming for sweet spot
While confident that the apiculture sector can meet its target of doubling honey exports by 2030, chair of ApicultureNZ, Nathan Guy, says it will be challenging.
THE MINISTRY for Primary Industries has lifted its controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in Whangarei after no further Queensland fruit fly were found in the areas.
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has thanked the Whangarei people for their cooperation over the last two weeks in responding to the find of a single male Queensland fruit fly.
"It's very pleasing that no other fruit fly has been found and that this appears to be a solitary insect," he says. "This detection is a very rare event and shows we have a high performing biosecurity system."
Controls put in place by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) restricting the movement of fruit and some vegetables have now been lifted.
"Agencies involved in the response have done an excellent job of communicating with local people and searching carefully for any signs of further fruit flies. This has involved extra trapping and fruit collection through the temporary laboratory," he says. "As with any major operation, MPI will look back and consider any learnings that could further enhance our systems."
MPI deputy director general, compliance and response, Andrew Coleman, says this marks the two weeks of trapping, fruit sampling and testing for the presence of the Queensland fruit fly is completed.
"We have received our final results from trapping and fruit examination and our rigorous checks found no further sign of the fruit fly in the Whangarei area. New Zealand's fruit fly-free status remains intact, as it has throughout this response. There is no longer any need for residents in the area to be restricted in their movements of produce."
A fortnight ago the Ministry put in place a 1.5 km diameter Controlled Area around where a single male Queensland fruit fly was found in a surveillance trap in the suburb of Parihaka. Residents were asked not to move whole fresh fruit or vegetables outside of this zone, which took in Parihaka, Riverside and parts of central Whangarei.
The move was precautionary while MPI carried out intensive checks for any further flies. Had a population been found, the controls in place would have prevented any spread of the pest fly out of the area.
Coleman says while the controls are lifted, this does not signal the end of work in the area.
"MPI will continue with its routine fruit fly surveillance programme, with an additional 33 traps left in high-risk locations such as near landfills and industrial areas."
Should local residents find anything of concern, particularly insects or larvae in fruit, they should contact MPI's Pests and Diseases Hotline – 0800 80 99 66.
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.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…