M.I.A.
OPINION: The previous government spent too much during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite warnings from officials, according to a briefing released by the Treasury.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is suspending all events due to Covid-19.
The decision is effective from tomorrow (18 March) and will last for at least the next two weeks.
“It is paramount we protect our food producers and the rest of the red meat supply chain to keep this important part of the New Zealand economy going,” says chief executive Sam McIvor.
“That’s why we are taking a cautious approach and made the difficult but sensible decision to suspend our events.
“The health of our farmers and our people is our top priority and we have a responsibility to New Zealand’s economy to take steps to mitigate the risk of infection.
“We are one of the industries that has so far been able to continue, and it is vital for our farmers and all New Zealanders that we take all measures to protect our second largest export sector and largest manufacturing employer.
“We are conscious, for example, that if a farmer gets infected, they have few options for getting assistance on their farm.
“With the Covid-19 pandemic rapidly evolving, we will be closely monitoring the situation.”
Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.
Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.

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