fbpx
Print this page
Wednesday, 17 October 2018 08:55

M. bovis could have been handled better

Written by 
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor.

The Government has acknowledged that all was not right in MPI’s handling of the M. bovis crisis.

Last week Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern admitted things could have been done better. 

She and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor unveiled new initiatives designed to make it easier for farmers to claim compensation and to give them more support.

These include an online tool to calculate milk production losses, a simpler form to lodge a compensation claim and the funding of a DairyNZ/Beef + LambNZ compensation assistance team to help farmers with their claims.

Of NZ’s 24,000 farms, 74 have been infected with M. bovis and 36 destocked and cleared of the disease.

Ardern says the new initiatives will help farmers and their families hit by the disease to move on and get back in business. 

Eradicating the disease is still a priority.

More like this

Cut with care

Cut with care

OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.

Biosecurity award for M. bovis work

Biosecurity award for M. bovis work

A small company which mobilised veterinarians around the country to deal with Mycoplasma bovis was one of the winners in this year's Biosecurity Awards, held at Parliament.

Frontline biosecurity 'untouchable'

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has reiterated that 'frontline' biosecurity services within Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will not be cut under the Government's plan to reduce the public service.

Farmers fined for cattle abuse

A Waikato cattle farming family have been fined $23,000 for failing to provide sufficient food and care for their animals, resulting in more than half a dozen animal deaths.

Levy approval sought

A series of apple and pear grower meetings are being held around the country.

Popular Reads

Milk price certainty

Westland Milk has reaffirmed its commitment to pay farmer suppliers 10c above Fonterra farm gate milk price for the following…

Farmers fined for cattle abuse

A Waikato cattle farming family have been fined $23,000 for failing to provide sufficient food and care for their animals,…

Featured

State roadshow talking all things wool

State roadshow talking all things wool

'A lot of interest and positive responses' appears to be the way farmers are viewing the Government's initiative to hold a series of woolshed meetings around the country.

Council urged to delay rate hikes

Council urged to delay rate hikes

A Southland farming leader wants the regional council to delay a proposed regional rates hike, much of which is intended to fund flood protection works.

Wool campaign making strides

A group set up to boost education and promotion of wool says it has made positive strides during the first year of its three-year strategy.

National

Green but not much grass!

Green but not much grass!

Dairy farmers in the lower North Island are working on protecting next season, according to Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard…

Council lifeline for A&P Show

Christchurch City Council and the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association (CAPA) have signed an agreement which will open more of…

Struggling? Give us a call

ASB head of rural banking Aidan Gent is encouraging farmers to speak to their banks when they are struggling.

Machinery & Products

Tractor, harvester IT comes of age

Tractor, harvester IT comes of age

Over the last halfdecade, digital technology has appeared to be the “must-have” for tractor and machinery companies, who believe that…