Celebrating success
The Director General of MPI, Ray Smith says it's important for his department to celebrate the success of a whole range of groups and people around the country.
It is "inbelievable" that it took six weeks to identify a limb found in palm kernel expeller (PKE) came from a New Zealand sheep, says Labour's biosecurity and primary industries spokesperson Damien O'Connor says.
"The discovery of an animal limb in a shipment of PKE delivered to a Bay of Plenty farmer has rightly rung alarm bells across our primary sector economy," says O'Connor.
"It resulted in a six-week long process to identify what the Ministry of Primary Industries initially claimed was a bone from a small exotic animal, but which it now 'confirms' as having come from a New Zealand sheep.
"This unbelievably long and protracted process raises as many questions as it provides interim answers.
"The system is clearly failing if it takes that long to identify a domestic sheep limb.
"Primary Industries Minister, Nathan Guy, and Ministry bosses have offered numerous assurances in the past - on a range of issues - that later proved to be inaccurate, hence I have little confidence in today's announcement.
"If it takes MPI six weeks to identify a NZ sheep, no wonder it is blind to the risk of contamination in PKE imports.
"Two farmers provided the information and evidence exposing the threat, yet Mr Guy and his officials continue to deny the reality of this potential pathway for foot and mouth disease to enter New Zealand.
"I simply can't believe it has taken the Minister this long to identify where, or what, the limb came from. I also don't believe that he is operating a safe biosecurity system."
Farmer-led charity, Meat the Need is calling for donations to enable it to supply more meals to families in need.
Weaker pricing and demand from China continue to impact New Zealand red meat export earnings.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
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