fbpx
Print this page
Tuesday, 02 July 2019 14:26

Sheep and beef farmers approve M. bovis levy

Written by 

Sheep and beef farmers have agreed to proceed with a new Biosecurity levy for Mycoplasma Bovis response.

 A Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) says it will proceed with the levy following consultation with farmers.

It says 59% of farmers who provided feedback supported B+LNZ’s proposals, which included raising the maximum rate for cattle under the new levy from $0.45/head to $2.00/head, with an initial levy rate of $1.80/head for beef cattle, and allowing different rates to be set for different stock classes, so that dairy cattle could be exempt from a ‘beef cattle’ levy for the M. bovis response.

B+LNZ sought farmers’ views on lifting the cap on the biosecurity levy so the beef sector can meet its 6% ($17.4 million) share of the costs of the M. bovis response. This is an increase on the maximum levy rate approved by farmers when consulted on the Government Industry Agreement (GIA) proposal in 2017.

“Farmers have told us they recognise the importance of the M. bovis response and the need for the beef cattle industry to actively play its part in helping to eradicate the disease,” says B+LNZ chairman Andrew Morrison.

“We also understand the concerns of farmers around the effectiveness of the response and that the announcement about a backlog of investigations and testing has undermined some farmers’ confidence

.“B+LNZ needs to have a seat at the table to ensure beef farmers’ views are heard. We are working hard with our response partners, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and DairyNZ, to resolve these issues and strengthen the M. bovis programme so we have the best possible chance to eradicate the disease.

“However, we need the help of all farmers and industry to be successful and it’s vital farmers and the industry meet their bio-security obligations.”

The Minister of Agriculture will assess B+LNZ’s application to introduce the levy. If the Minister approves it, he will then recommend the introduction of a levy order. Due to the time involved in this process, B+LNZ anticipates the new biosecurity levy will not be in place until the end of the year.

B+LNZ received 1,601 submissions during the consultation period, which was held over May and June.

More like this

Autumn sub clover control sets up pasture for spring

Recent widespread autumn rain will have triggered the germination of subterranean clover seeds, and the resulting seedlings should be allowed to reach the 3–4 trifoliate leaf stage before grazing, says Beef+Lamb NZ.

Getting sheep shape at Pyramid Farm

The vineyards at Pyramid Farm in Marlborough’s Avon Valley have never been run of the mill, with plantings that follow the natural contours of the land, 250 metres above sea level.

Co-op boosts chilled exports to China

Alliance Group has secured greater access for chilled beef exports to China, following approval for two of its processing plants to supply the market.

Featured

Australia develops first local mRNA FMD vaccine

Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks could have a detrimental impact on any country's rural sector, as seen in the United Kingdom's 2000 outbreak that saw the compulsory slaughter of over six million animals.

NZ household food waste falls again

Kiwis are wasting less of their food than they were two years ago, and this has been enough to push New Zealand’s total household food waste bill lower, the 2025 Rabobank KiwiHarvest Food Waste survey has found.

Editorial: No joking matter

OPINION: Sir Lockwood Smith has clearly and succinctly defined what academic freedom is all about, the boundaries around it and the responsibility that goes with this privilege.

DairyNZ plantain trials cut nitrate leaching by 26%

DairyNZ says its plantain programme continues to deliver promising results, with new data confirming that modest levels of plantain in pastures reduce nitrogen leaching, offering farmers a practical, science-backed tool to meet environmental goals.

National

Machinery & Products

Tech might take time

Agritech Unleashed – a one-day event held recently at Mystery Creek, near Hamilton – focused on technology as an ‘enabler’…

John Deere acquires GUSS Automation

John Deere has announced the full acquisition of GUSS Automation, LLC, a globally recognised leader in supervised high-value crop autonomy,…

Fencing excellence celebrated

The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards,…