MPI’s Diana Reaich: Building global trade relationships
Relationships are key to opening new trading opportunities and dealing with some of the rules that countries impose that impede the free flow of trade.
Failure to follow directives not to move stock because of the Mycoplasma bovis threat and breaking NAIT rules has landed a South Canterbury farmer with a $21,000 fine.
Daniel Bernard Thomas appeared for sentencing in the Timaru District Court last week on four charges under the Biosecurity Act and one charge under the National Animal Identification and Tracing Act 2012.
At the time of the offending in 2019, Thomas’ Omarama farm was subject to a Notice of Direction (NOD) which prohibits cattle moving from his farm without approval by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
An MPI investigation found that in April 2019, Thomas sold and allowed the transportation of 153 yearling bulls to a farm in Pahiatua. Then in May, he transported another 32 cattle to a sale yard, again without the required permission from MPI.
The livestock agent, who did not know the animals were under a NOD, sold 26 of these animals to three clients and one buyer then on-sold some of the animals to two other farm owners.
Finally, in June (2019), Thomas transported 44 cattle to a meat processing plant and failed to disclose whether his animals were under MPI surveillance or movement control under the NAIT rules.
MPI’s manager of compliance investigations, Gerry Anderson, says Thomas fell short of his obligations.
“It’s vital that all people in charge of cattle or deer follow these important rules. Our ability to track and trace animals is a critical factor in managing biosecurity threats such as Mycoplasma bovis,” he says.
“Biosecurity outbreaks have the potential to devastate the agricultural industry. We all need to do our part to prevent that or we all lose.”
Anderson says people who break the rules should know that MPI takes this offending very seriously.
In sentencing, Judge Mill took into account Thomas’s early guilty plea, his participation in a restorative justice conference with the victims and his previous good character.
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.

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