EPA's plan 'not good enough'
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is bolstering its frontline applications teams in a bid to reduce the timeframe for new product applications, but agri chemical producers say that it isn't good enough.
Animal and Plant Plant Health New Zealand has appointed Dr Liz Shackleton as its new chief executive.
She takes up her new role on October 30.
Shackleton has been leading the DairyNZ Biosecurity team, including the Mycoplasma bovis Programme team since 2018, and held leadership roles in the pharmaceutical sector after starting her career as a rural veterinarian.
She is a chartered member of the NZ Institute of Directors and a board member of the NZ Veterinary Council.
“I’ve been privileged to spend my career supporting the primary sector - from gumboots to boardroom - and am passionate about the important role it plays for New Zealand,” she says.
The primary sector generates $55 billion in export earnings, and the membership association works closely with government agencies, industry groups, and other stakeholders, to help bring the necessary innovations to manage pests and diseases so that NZ food can be grown sustainably, efficiently and effectively.
Co-president of Animal and Plant Health NZ, Vanessa Macdonald, says Shackleton will be instrumental in implementing the recently rebranded organisation’s strategy which prioritises safeguarding the sustainability of agriculture through ensuring the health of crops and animals.
“Liz’s leadership will empower New Zealand’s farmers and growers with innovative solutions and best practices, reinforcing their position as frontrunners in producing safe, healthy, and sustainable food for a discerning global market,” adds Macdonald.
Shackleton is excited about the opportunity to lead the organisation, given the critical role that healthy crops and animals play in safeguarding our sustainability.
“Growing our people, credible science and supportive regulations all play a key role in bringing innovative solutions to the market for members. I look forward to continuing to build on the good work Mark Ross and team have done so far.”
Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.
Two high producing Canterbury dairy farmers are moving to blended stockfeed supplements fed in-shed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to boost protein levels, which they can’t achieve through pasture under the region’s nitrogen limit of 190kg/ha.
Buoyed by strong forecasts for milk prices and a renewed demand for dairy assets, the South Island rural real estate market has begun the year with positive momentum, according to Colliers.
The six young cattle breeders participating in the inaugural Holstein Friesian NZ young breeder development programme have completed their first event of the year.
New Zealand feed producers are being encouraged to boost staff training to maintain efficiency and product quality.
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