Vet fund to support recovery
A new initiative to support North Island farmers recovering from flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle with veterinary services receiving $2.6 million from the Ministry for Primary Industries.
The Veterinary Council of New Zealand (VCNZ), which regulates veterinarians and sets standards to support responsible antimicrobial use among veterinarians, is in the throes of developing a new strategy to minimize the risk of Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in New Zealand animals.
Antimicrobial resistance is one of the top 10 global public health threats and occurs when bacteria, viruses and parasites no longer respond to medicine, making them difficult or impossible to treat.
VCNZ chief executive and registrar Iain McLachlan says the strategy will complement initiatives in other parts of the sector, including the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
“Veterinarians, as stewards of antimicrobial products and the sole authorizer of their use in animals, have a critical role to play in managing the risks of AMR,” says McLachlan.
“We’re looking forward to getting this work underway and will be consulting right across the sector to ensure a wide range of perspectives are captured,” he says.
A steering group has been established which will review how antibiotics are currently used and antimicrobial stewardship by New Zealand veterinarians.
Members of the group will also interview stakeholders and evaluate AMR strategies. A discussion document summarising the group’s research will be widely consulted on before the strategy is finalised.
Animal rights organization, SAFE says the government needs to maintain the ban on live exports.
New findings from not-for-profit food supply and distribution organization, the New Zealand Food Network (NZFN) have revealed a 42% increase in demand for food support in 2023 compared to 2022.
New data released by LIC and DairyNZ shows New Zealand dairy farmers have achieved the highest six week in-calf rate and lowest notin- calf rate on record.
Christchurch City Council and the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association (CAPA) have signed an agreement which will open more of Canterbury Agricultural Park for public use while helping to provide long-term certainty for the A&P Show.
This year’s Fieldays will feature a Rural Advocacy Hub - bringing together various rural organisations who are advocating for farmers and championing their interests as one team, under one roof, for the first time.
ASB head of rural banking Aidan Gent is encouraging farmers to speak to their banks when they are struggling.
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