Biosecurity award for M. bovis work
A small company which mobilised veterinarians around the country to deal with Mycoplasma bovis was one of the winners in this year's Biosecurity Awards, held at Parliament.
Agcarm – the industry association which represents crop protection, animal health and rural supplier businesses – has appointed Mark Ross as its new chief executive.
“Mark has a great understanding of industry issues, strong leadership ability, as well as advocacy and policy development experience,” says Agcarm president Mark Christie.
Ross has an Executive MBA from Massey and agricultural qualifications from Lincoln University. He comes to Agcarm after seven years as general manager of policy and advocacy at Federated Farmers and prior to that worked for the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for 12 years.
“Mark has an understanding of relevant legislation such as the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act, Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act, and extensive knowledge of the machinery of government.
“He is also adept at developing policy and regulations, influencing decision makers and problem solving.”
Ross has experience of orchard spray programmes and aerial spraying – having helped manage successful eradication programmes against the Asian gypsy moth and white-spotted tussock moth in the Waikato and Auckland regions.
Meanwhile, his involvement with animal health issues include Federated Farmer’s oversight of New Zealand cases of the blood-borne Theileria parasite and Cystericercus bovis, the larval stage of a species of tapeworm.
He also contributes to the disease eradication programme, TBfree New Zealand, is involved in foot and mouth simulation exercises and is a member of the MPI-led Livestock Sector Biosecurity Group.
Ross starts his new role on February 9, replacing Graeme Peters who stepped down after seven years in the job.
Weaker pricing and demand from China continue to impact New Zealand red meat export earnings.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
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