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.
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Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.

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