No more tears for onion exporters
Onion exports to the lucrative Indonesian market are resuming after officials negotiated an end to costly pre-export methyl bromide fumigation.
Today, public consultation begins on a series of proposals designed to strengthen New Zealand’s biosecurity system.
Included in those proposals are higher fines for passengers bringing in undeclared high-risk goods, greater flexibility surrounding import requirements, and fairer cost sharing for biosecurity responses.
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says the future is about resilience, adding that the current Biosecurity Act – which is 30 years old – requires updating.
“A number of potential amendments are proposed to ensure it remains resilient and fit for the future,” Hoggard says.
He says New Zealand’s relative freedom from pests and diseases play a significant role in New Zealand’s competitive advantage, underpinning the country’s $53 billion food and fibre export industry.
“The Act is the legislative framework for the system that enables us to manage biosecurity risk and protect the economy and environment from harmful incursions,” Hoggard says. “This is important work, and we need input from primary industries, mana whenua, local authorities and the wider public to ensure we’ve got it right.”
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will lead the policy programme to amend the Act.
Consultation materials, including seven discussion documents setting out policy proposals for change are on MPI’s website and can be accessed by visiting https://www.mpi.govt.nz/consultations/
New research reveals that New Zealand households have made progress in reducing food waste over the past year, cutting the annual amount wasted by an estimated $300 million in the past year alone.
Voting is now open for this year’s DairyNZ director elections.
Today, public consultation begins on a series of proposals designed to strengthen New Zealand’s biosecurity system.
A former dairy farmer with a passion for breeding good cows has switched gears after farming in her own right.
OPINION: While dairy farmers were busy milking cows last Wednesday morning, 150 leaders and stakeholders of the industry gathered at Parliament over breakfast to celebrate their achievements.
First up to the podium at the recent Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) Conference in Wellington, Minster for Agriculture, Todd McClay, reflected on a difficult 12 months, but hinted at signs that things were turning the corner, saying “when ag does well, New Zealand does well”.
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