Bulk wine exports surpass packaged wine volumes
Data from February 2025 shows volumes of bulk wine exports exceeded packaged wine.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is proposing to raise its charges for food safety and biosecurity services.
“Without these systems, New Zealand’s $38.3 billion primary sector exports would never get past importing countries’ borders,” says spokesman Dan Bolger. “And our primary industries would be exposed to a much greater risk of pests and diseases.”
This is MPI’s first fee increase since the ministry’s formation in 2011 and the first review of food safety fees since 2008.
“Since that time demand for MPI’s services has increased, driven by increasing imports and exports and a greater number of food businesses,” Bolger says. “Also, inflation pressure has meant that the real cost of delivering services is also increasing.
“The different systems for recovering costs from industry were not developed at the same time. Over time this
has led to potential inequities in current charges. The proposals are designed to address these inequities and ensure all industry – large and small – is treated fairly.”
Bolger says the ministry needs to strike a balance between fair costs and earning enough to do its job. “The increase [would be] $12.8 million for the food and biosecurity systems.
“Feedback from industry and the public is an important part of getting these updates to fee rates right. I encourage you to take part in consultation.”
MPI is running presentations nationwide to explain its fee increased proposals. The deadline for submissions is 20 February 2015.
For details, visit: https://mpi.govt.nz/news-and-resources/consultations/
Fee increases
Recent rain has offered respite for some from the ongoing drought.
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
With much of the North Island experiencing drought this summer and climate change projected to bring drier and hotter conditions, securing New Zealand’s freshwater resilience is vital, according to state-owned GNS Science.
OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.
For Wonky Box co-founder Angus Simms, the decision to open the service to those in rural areas is a personal one.
The golden age of orcharding in West Auckland was recently celebrated at the launch of a book which tells the story of its rise, then retreat in the face of industry change and urban expansion.
OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…
OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.