New Federated Farmers meat and wool chair praises predecessor
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
A Bay of Plenty dairy farmer who discovered an animal limb in PKE did the right thing by calling the biosecurity hotline, says Federated Farmers.
But systems improvements are needed by MPI, it says.
Federated Farmers is relieved that DNA testing on an animal part is now confirmed to be a local sheep. The limb was orginally suspected by the MPI to be foreign.
"Confirmation by DNA testing that the animal limb is local and a sheep is a huge relief for all farmers," says Dr William Rolleston, Federated Farmers biosecurity spokesperson.
"Can we again stress that the Bay of Plenty dairy farmer who discovered the contaminant did the right thing in calling the Biosecurity hotline; 0800 80 99 66.
"If any one finds something untoward then calling the Biosecurity hotline is the correct response. An additional measure is to take photographs; almost all modern mobile telephones have in-built cameras.
"Equally, MPI need to react to the best information they have at hand. Their response, based on the advice they were given, was appropriate.
"Secure storage in the country of origin and traceability from approved plants is still an issue which is being addressed by MPI following their audit in Indonesia and Malaysia.
"One of the MPI's urgent amendments to the Import Health Standard reflects a key Federated Farmers recommendation in our Clark-Mackinnon report. That being that PKE must only be imported from specific approved facilities meeting New Zealand's import requirements.
"We need to have confidence that the level of certification and traceability meets commodity export standards. This should not be an issue for responsible importers who already demand this level of information from their suppliers.
"More clarity post-border would also help any future investigation.
"Federated Farmers is not advocating for a cumbersome, bureaucratic system which adds expense and complexity where little value can be gained and which might trigger similar unnecessary responses in our own markets.
"If there is a silver lining to this episode it is that we will all be more vigilant and know that contaminations like this one will be taken seriously," Dr Rolleston concluded.
A brilliant result and great news for growers and regional economies. That's how horticulture sector leaders are describing the news that sector exports for the year ended June 30 will reach $8.4 billion - an increase of 19% on last year and is forecast to hit close to $10 billion in 2029.
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We're working through it, and we'll get to it.
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A technical lab manager for Apata, Phoebe Scherer, has won the Bay of Plenty 2025 Young Grower regional title.