OSPRI introduces movement control area in Central Otago to protect livestock
From 1 October, new livestock movement restrictions will be introduced in parts of Central Otago dealing with infected possums spreading bovine TB to livestock.
Agribusiness leader Barry Harris has been appointedchairman of OSPRI, the primary industry organisation responsible for managingthe TBfree and NAIT programmes.
Barry succeeds Jeff Grant, who has stepped down having been appointed by Beef + Lamb New Zealand and the Meat Industry Association to help manage the red meat sector's response to Brexit in London.
Harris says he is delighted and honoured to be taking on the chair of OSPRI.
“I am excited about the future of the company. OSPRI has an important role to play in helping deliver both the TBfree and NAIT programmes and I’m strongly committed to working with shareholders and other key stakeholders to ensure OSPRI is a success.’
‘On behalf of the OSPRI management and other board members I’d like to wish Jeff the best of luck in the UK in his new role and thank him for his significant contribution that he has made to OSPRI and the wider beef, dairy and deer industry during his time as OSPRI Chair.’
Harris has a long association with agriculture and particularly the dairy sector serving as a senior executive with Fonterra and as a long standing board member of DairyNZ. Barry is currently chair of McFall Fuel, Food Innovation Waikato and Wintec; and director of DairyNZ and WEL Networks.
Barry has a Master of Agricultural Science (Honours) and lives in Hamilton.
The OSPRI Board expressed their gratitude to Grant, who has successfully led the organisation through major changes, particularly the new TBfree strategy.
According to the latest Federated Farmers banking survey, farmers are more satisfied with their bank and less under pressure, however, the sector is well short of confidence levels seen last decade.
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.
Former Agriculture Minister and Otaki farmer Nathan Guy has been appointed New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE).
Alliance Group has commissioned a new heat pump system at its Mataura processing plant in Southland.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
Meat processors are hopeful that the additional 15% tariff on lamb exports to the US will also come off.

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