Celebrating success
The Director General of MPI, Ray Smith says it's important for his department to celebrate the success of a whole range of groups and people around the country.
AUSTRALIAN FARMERS will not have imposed on them a national electronic ID system for identifying sheep and goats.
Instead, agriculture ministers have opted to improve the mob-based National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) already used to trace animals from property of birth to slaughter for the purpose of biosecurity, meat safety, product integrity and market access.
State and territory governments will improve NLIS either by enhancing the mob-based system or by introducing electronic identification ear tags.
Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce, who chaired a forum on the issue, said the NLIS decision will improve traceability with the least possible burden on producers, given EID tags cost A80c to A$1.60/animal.
“These are costs that would need to be met by each state and the industry itself. Forcing electronic identification systems onto the entire industry can’t be justified in the current environment.”
In opting for enhancing the current mob-based system, Department of Agriculture researchers have recommended the costs and benefits of transitioning from a mob-based system to an EID system be reviewed within five years. – Alan Harman
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.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.