Fat to cut
OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an 8-hour marathon hearing.
The Ministry of Primary Industries has begun an advertising campaign encouraging people to let it know if they come across the mis-treatment of livestock.
"The vast majority of livestock owners care for their animals, but there is a very small minority who don't, and they let the rest down," says MPI's Deputy Director General of Regulation and Assurance, Scott Gallacher.
"We saw from the response to last year's allegations of bobby calf abuse just how much farmers care. There was a pretty clear voice from the farming community that animal abuse is not on. We agree, and we want to work with farmers and other livestock owners to do something about it to ensure that any abuse is identified and acted on."
"The advertisements encourage people to let us know if they see things that don't look right, and how to do that."
"MPI places a high priority on animal welfare. We know it's important to people, it's clearly important to the animals and it's important to New Zealand's reputation. When we get information about mistreatment of animals, we investigate. When there is offending, people are held to account."
People who become aware of potential livestock abuse can call MPI confidentially on 0800 00 83 33.
MPI has broad responsibility for managing animal welfare compliance in relation to livestock and other animals used for commercial purposes. The SPCA manages compliance in relation to companion (pet) animals.
Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
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