Editorial: Support, don't stifle farmers
OPINION: Ministry for Primary Industries' situation outlook for primary industries report (SOPI) makes impressive reading.
A passenger arriving at Wellington airport has had to give up his lucky charms due to their potential biosecurity risk.
The charms, made from snake parts (including fangs from Thailand) and horsehair, are thought to be lucky in the search for gold. The passenger arrived from Australia and said the charms were usually attached to his metal detector when he went looking for gold.
He declared the items to Ministry for Primary Industries staff on his way into New Zealand, but staff considered the risk too great to allow the charms through.
"There was no way we were going to allow the passenger to keep the animal parts with him during his stay in New Zealand, as they could
have been carrying pests or diseases," says MPI team manager Tony Owen.
"As he was planning to leave New Zealand by the same airport, he had the options of having MPI destroy the charms or hold them until his departure," says Owen.
The passenger chose for MPI to hold the items and collected them on his way home five days later.
"We didn't think the charms were particularly lucky when you consider the potential harmful effects to industry or New Zealand's native species," says Owens.
OPINION: Ministry for Primary Industries' situation outlook for primary industries report (SOPI) makes impressive reading.
Sheep and beef farmers Matt and Kristin Churchward say using artificial intelligence (AI) to spread fertiliser on their sprawling 630ha farm is a game changer for their business.
Commercial fruit and vegetable growers are being encouraged to cast their votes in the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board directors' election.
A unique discovery by a Palmerston North science company, Biolumic, looks set to revolutionise the value and potential of ryegrass and the secret is the application of ultraviolet (UV) light.
A New Zealand company is redefining the global collagen game by turning New Zealand sheepskin into a world-class health product.
With further extreme weather on the way, ANZ Bank is encouraging farmers and business owners impacted by the recent extreme weather and flooding to seek support if they need it.
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