National Pest Management Plan for TB seeks feedback
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
It would appear that the industry has been reluctant to go ahead with the He Waka Eke Noa consultation because of Covid and have felt heavily pressured to do this, against their better judgement.
B+LNZ and DairyNZ have asked the Government for an extension of time, but as Dairy News went to press, 'silence was the stern reply' from the Beehive.
It is acknowledged by industry that the timelines for the consultation are enshrined in legislation, but they point out that, in the past, this hasn't stopped the Government changing its mind when it suits them.
Some industry insiders say that the stubbornness of government to postpone the consultation is 'political' with claims the 'green' elements in Parliament are being appeased at the expense of the rural sector. There are also claims that the call for postponement is just another case of the primary sector 'dragging the chain' - a claim strongly refuted by industry sources.
The clear view of the industry is that the consultation should be stopped in its tracks rather than putting the lives of farmers and their families at risk by effectively forcing them to attend the workshops. 'Attending' online is regarded by many as unsatisfactory.
Tim Mackle says DairyNZ is monitoring the Covid situation on a daily basis both in the lead-up to the roadshow, and every day it takes place, to make sure people's lives are not at risk. Therefore ther is still a chance the whole show will be off the road.
According to the most recent Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey, farmer confidence has inched higher, reaching its second highest reading in the last decade.
From 1 October, new livestock movement restrictions will be introduced in parts of Central Otago dealing with infected possums spreading bovine TB to livestock.
Phoebe Scherer, a technical manager from the Bay of Plenty, has won the 2025 Young Grower of the Year national title.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
Award-winning boutique cheese company, Cranky Goat Ltd has gone into voluntary liquidation.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
OPINION: Westland Milk may have won the contract to supply butter to Costco NZ but Open Country Dairy is having…
OPINION: The Gene Technology Bill has divided the farming community with strong arguments on both the pros and cons of…