Warning over illegal earthworks to realign waterways
Anyone carrying out illegal earthworks to realign or reclaim waterways may face prosecution and potentially a hefty fine, Taranaki Regional Council says.
A Kaikohe beef farmer has been fined $18,000 for not registering 496 cattle under the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) Scheme.
John Emile Schepens (67) was sentenced in the Dargaville District Court last week, on 18 August 2022, on two charges under the National Animal Identification and Tracing Act 2012, following a prosecution by Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
MPI regional manager Animal Welfare and NAIT Compliance, Brendon Mikkelsen says the scheme plays a critical part of New Zealand’s ability to respond quickly to biosecurity threats.
"We take non-compliance seriously because of the potentially devastating effect to industry and communities, if the tracing and containment of a significant outbreak such as Foot and Mouth Disease was hampered by poor NAIT information. Mr Schepens failed to put into place a system to ensure his animals were both tagged and registered with NAIT. We cannot afford complacency,” he says.
Schepens has been the registered person in charge of animals (PICA) for a decade. He has approximately 800 NAIT animals. Over a period between May 2019 and May 2021, he received educational letters, reminders, and an infringement notice for moving 32 unregistered cattle off farm. Despite the warnings and action, the situation didn’t improve.
MPI charged Schepens under the NAIT Act for moving 27 cattle off farm between 30 June and 3 July 2021 and for a further 469 cattle still not registered on 10 February 2022.
"If you are unsure about what you need to do, reach out. There is plenty of information, advice and support available,” says Mikkelsen.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
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