Feds support live animal exports
Federated Farmers have reiterated their support for the coalition Government to abolish the present ban on the live export of animals.
A total of 34 graduate vets will be placed in rural areas this year, from Northland to Southland, through the Government's Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians (VBS).
The successful recipients will each receive funding of $55,000 over five years, in a bid to help ease the shortage of vets working with production animals in the regions.
"It's well known that there's a real need for vets, especially in rural areas," Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor says.
"Since it began 12 years ago, the Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians has made a big difference in attracting and retaining graduate vets to rural communities that can be challenging to recruit staff to.
O'Connor syas the scheme supports New Zealand to maintain its world-class standards in biosecurity, animal welfare and food safety.
"Through this funding, we aim to ensure we have the best care for production animals and working dogs across the country."
Since 2009 when the VBS programme began, 384 graduate vets have been funded to start their careers working with production animals in rural practice.
"The scheme sits alongside other programmes we're investing in to address skills challenges in rural New Zealand," O'Connor adds.
Two butcheries have claimed victory at the 100% New Zealand Bacon & Ham Awards for 2025.
A Taupiri farming company has been convicted and fined $52,500 in the Hamilton District Court for the unlawful discharge of dairy effluent into the environment.
The Climate Change Commission’s 2025 emissions reduction monitoring report reveals steady progress on the reduction of New Zealand’s climate pollution.
Another milestone has been reached in the fight against Mycoplasma bovis with the compensation assistance service being wound up after helping more than 1300 farmers.
The Government’s directive for state farmer Landcorp Farming (trading as Pamu) to lifts its performance is yielding results.
The move to bring bovine TB testing in-house at Ospri officially started this month, as a team of 37 skilled and experienced technicians begin work with the disease eradication agency.
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