Science and technology take centre stage at 2025 National Fieldays
Showcasing the huge range of new technologies and science that is now available was one of the highlights at last week's National Fieldays.
New regulations to support compliance with the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) scheme and protect the privacy of NAIT stakeholders came into effect yesterday (January 10).
The new regulations, which were developed after a public consultation, set out a range of infringements that relate to stakeholders not complying with requirements under the scheme.
Twelve of these carry a $150 fee and an additional infringement, for those who do not register with the scheme, carries a $300 fee.
The new regulations also establish a panel to consider applications for access to the NAIT information system. The panel will provide an objective and transparent process to assess applications for data and decide them on their merits. The highest infringement fee, of $1000, is reserved for people who do not comply with conditions set by the panel on access to, or release of, NAIT information.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director - preparedness and partnerships, David Hayes, says the infringements are just one of a number of ways to help compliance.
"The focus of the scheme is on education, assistance and direction. That approach will work with the vast majority of people. Infringements give us another way to enhance compliance," Hayes says.
He says the scheme also has "built-in incentives" for industry because it provides direct and indirect benefit to farmers.
"The already high levels of compliance with the scheme boosts MPI's ability to respond quickly to disease outbreaks and underpins the official assurances that New Zealand gives to its international trade partners."
The new regulations join a suite of other regulations passed to date which provide the detail on how to meet requirements of the NAIT Act. They cover obligations and exemptions, levy types and various fees and forms.
The new regulations setting out infringements are here:
http://tinyurl.com/cnf8ek7
The new regulations establishing the panel are here.
http://tinyurl.com/bvn5yfd
The country's second largest milk processor hopes to produce its first commercial butter within two months.
There's no doubt that vehicle manufacturers at Fieldays saw a steady stream of rural folk treading the boards.
Fonterra's co-op model and what it does for New Zealand has lured one of its bright stars back on board.
Farmer lobby Federated Farmers is reporting a growth in membership, for the first time in decades.
New Zealand's Ruminant Biotech says that while it has big goals, the scale of the problem it seeks to solve requires it.
The upheaval in the Middle East may have eased the fall in global dairy prices last week.