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Beekeepers need to endorse a proposal to combine two organisations into a single and effective industry body, says O'Connor.
Beekeepers need to endorse a proposal to combine two organisations into a single and effective industry body.
So says Labour's Primary Industry spokesperson Damien O'Connor says.
"The introduction of the varroa mite exposed disunity across this important industry," says O'Connor.
"As a result, the last Labour government developed an industry agreement concept to provide better coordination in the event of a biosecurity incursion.
"While the processes around biosecurity response have been improved, the beekeeping industry is yet to take the sensible step of being united into one single industry body.
"I applaud the work of the Federated Farmers and the National Beekeepers Association president Ricki Leahy who put together this proposal to ensure better advocacy for the industry.
"I urge all those beekeepers yet to cast their vote to support unity before the ballot closes this Friday.
"Then all government agencies will be able to deal with bee industry issues efficiently and effectively."
Federated Farmers has called on Central Otago District Council (CODC) to drop or vote down a plan to truck sludge from Alexandra and Cromwell to farmland near Lauder, warning it would compound an "outrageous" situation created by a separate council's decision weeks earlier.
Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.
Leading figures from the major political parties will be questioned on their primary sector policies at the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, on 30 September.
Will the good times last? That's one of the key issues to come out of the latest Federated Farmers confidence survey.
Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers arable chair, Bevan Lill, said Beef + Lamb NZ data indicated that for the last six years, the average arable return on investment was about 0.8% while inflation ran about 4% - so the average arable farm was going backwards at about 3% a year.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
Meat Industry Association data, released alongside the Red Meat Sector conference in Wellington, shows export value climbing across the US, China, UK and Canada.
Applications are set to open for the 2027 Zanda McDonald Award, a trans-Tasman award recognised for identifying and fast-tracking talented young leaders in agriculture and agribusiness.
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) and Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network are calling for investment in a proposed new training pathway for rural GPs, warning that many rural practices are struggling to recruit while a large share of the existing workforce nears retirement.
Federated Farmers has called on Central Otago District Council (CODC) to drop or vote down a plan to truck sludge from Alexandra and Cromwell to farmland near Lauder, warning it would compound an "outrageous" situation created by a separate council's decision weeks earlier.
Synlait has swung to second-half profit as operations stabilise, but the dairy processor still posted a $75.4m annual loss.
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