MPI job cuts 'won't disrupt organisational structure'
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
A series of apple and pear grower meetings are being held around the country.
These are part of a consultation programme to determine whether growers will continue to fund a levy to support their industry organisation NZ Apples and Pears Incorporated (NZAPI).
NZAPI is legally mandated by the Government to collect a levy from commercial apple and pear growers to fund the support and services it provides as the industry body. A vote of growers is undertaken every six years to either continue or reject this levy.
The current levy for NZAPI expires on 16 January 2025 and during the last few months growers opinions' have been sought by various means - including face-to-face regional meetings, webinars, newsletters, and public notices. In April, a referendum will be held for all potential levy payers to vote on the Commodity Levy.
All apple and pear and growers who grow apples and pears in New Zealand - which are or may be sold for consumption as whole fresh fruit, or sold for resale as whole fresh fruit, or exported as whole fresh fruit - are eligible to vote. Each trading entity is entitled to one vote. Voting will be open from 9am Monday 8 April to 12 noon Friday 3 May 2024, which is taking place online and by post.
If growers decided to continue with the levy, a formal application will be made in May from NZAPI to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) requesting renewal of the Levy Order.
NZAPI says more than 30 years on, the levy continues to be the foundation of what it as an industry body does for the industry.
Fonterra says the sale of its global consumer business and its Oceania and Sri Lankan operations could take 18 months to complete.
The lobby group the Methane Science Accord (MSA) says it welcomes a recent government move to seek outside advice on reducing biological methane targets, rather than relying on recommendations made by the Climate Change Commission.
Well-known scientist Jock Allison has passed away.
After a decade of consultation and court battles, Environment Southland has officially adopted a plan to prevent further decline in the region's water quality.
Farmers are throwing down the gauntlet to politicians - hold an independent inquiry into rural bank lending or face tough questions from the farming sector.
China’s Ambassador Wang Xiaolong says bilateral economic and trade cooperation between China and New Zealand has made significant and rapid progress.