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.
OPINION: The recent Federated Farmers / Rabobank 2024 Farming Salaries Report revealed strong growth in farm salaries over the past two years.
The low unemployment environment is one of the key factors driving on-farm salaries higher over the past 24 months, says Rabobank general manager for country banking Bruce Weir.
Fonterra has appointed a new chief financial officer, seven months after its last CFO’s shock resignation.
A seminar on rural dispute resolution has been organised at Lincoln University, Christchurch this month.
The legacy of Dr Peter Snow continues to inspire as the recipients of the 2023 and 2024 Peter Snow Memorial Awards were announced at the recent National Rural Health Conference.
One of Fonterra’s global customers, Mars is launching an ambitious sustainable dairy plan to work with dairy farmers and cut emissions by 50%.