Why our future depends on taking biosecurity seriously
OPINION: When it comes to biosecurity, we often hear about the end of a response, but it’s the beginning that helps determine our success.
Biosecurity New Zealand announced the winners of the 2018 New Zealand Biosecurity Awards last night.
Environment Southland’s Fiordland Marine Pathway Management Plan took out the top prize, the New Zealand Biosecurity Supreme Award. Their project also received the New Zealand Biosecurity Eagle Technology Local and Central Government Award.
The Fiordland Marine Pathway Management Plan the first of its kind in New Zealand, aims to protect one of New Zealand’s most unique and nationally significant areas from marine pests being carried in on local and visiting vessels.
“The New Zealand Biosecurity Awards celebrate iwi, environmental organisations, science providers, community groups, local, regional and central government agencies who are working hard to help ensure Aotearoa is safe from pests and diseases,” says Roger Smith, Head of Biosecurity New Zealand.
The Awards’ winners included a wide variety of interesting biosecurity-related projects from the protection of New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry, to biosecurity excellence in Tauranga moana to improving the outcomes for kōkako, and even innovative products like a portable footwear cleaning system.
The full list of New Zealand Biosecurity Awards’ winners are:
- New Zealand Biosecurity Department of Conservation Community Award - Pirongia Te Aroaro o Kahu Restoration Society
- New Zealand Biosecurity GIA Industry Award - Kiwifruit Vine Health
- New Zealand Biosecurity Biological Heritage Challenge Science Award - Scion: New Zealand Forest Research Institute
- New Zealand Biosecurity AsureQuality Emerging Leader Award - Dr Amanda Black
- New Zealand Biosecurity Te Puni Kōkiri Māori Award - Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi Trust
- New Zealand Biosecurity Eagle Technology Local and Central Government Award - Environment Southland
- New Zealand Biosecurity Mondiale Innovation Award - Jacson3 Limited
- New Zealand Biosecurity Supreme Award - Environment Southland
- Minister’s Biosecurity Award - Greg Corbett
Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.
Environment Southland's catchment improvement funding is once again available for innovative landowners in need of a boost to get their project going.
The team meeting at the Culverden Hotel was relaxed and open, despite being in the middle of calving when stress levels are at peak levels, especially in bitterly cold and wet conditions like today.
A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.
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