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.
Effective from 1 January 2026, there will be three new grower directors on the board of the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR).
The National Wild Goat Hunting Competition has removed 33,418 wild goats over the past three years.
New Zealand needs a new healthcare model to address rising rates of obesity in rural communities, with the current system leaving many patients unable to access effective treatment or long-term support, warn GPs.
Southland farmers are being urged to put safety first, following a spike in tip offs about risky handling of wind-damaged trees
Third-generation Ashburton dairy farmers TJ and Mark Stewart are no strangers to adapting and evolving.
When American retail giant Cosco came to audit Open Country Dairy’s new butter plant at the Waharoa site and give the green light to supply their American stores, they allowed themselves a week for the exercise.