Crazy
OPINION: Your canine crusader was truly impressed by the almost unanimous support given by politicians of all stripes in Parliament to the recent passing of legislation for the NZ/EU free trade deal.
Biosecurity and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says he welcomes an independent review into the Mycoplasma bovis eradication programme, which has found it is on track to achieve eradication and made recommendations to boost biosecurity work.
“The decision to attempt eradication was a big one for the Government and our sector partners, DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand,” O’Connor says.
“It was driven by a motivation to prevent endemic M. bovis in our national herd and the associated animal welfare, economic and social costs for all farmers that it would bring. The economic cost of endemic M. bovis would top $1 billion in the first 10 years alone and continue to burden the sector into the future.
“The review finds that the programme is running well and is on track to achieve the world first of eradicating M.bovis. It also notes the impact on farmers involved and the work the programme has done over the past two years to make necessary improvements, following a difficult start.
“We are now in a situation where we are down to four infected farms, all of which are situated in Canterbury.
“I want to acknowledge the sacrifices made by farmers and the hard work of sector groups and the people on the M.bovis programme.’’
O’Connor says he thanks the reviewers for their work.
“The review panel has made some sensible recommendations for us and the primary sector to boost biosecurity and future animal disease responses.
“By working together, and taking the lessons and improvements from the M.bovis programme with us, we are better placed to meet future biosecurity challenges,’’ O’Connor says.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.
Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.