HortNZ course gives confidence to lead
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) Leadership scholar Taurion Colquhoun says the lessons from the programme have been “eye opening” for him and he’s already putting them into action.
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) says that discovery of a male Oriental fruit fly on Auckland’s North Shore is a cause for concern for growers.
The fruit fly was detected in a suburban backyard in Birkdale during routine surveillance.
The discovery follows an end to increased surveillance in Papatoetoe after an Oriental fruit fly was found in the suburb in early January.
Biosecurity New Zealand commissioner north, Mike Inglis says it’s too early to tell whether the two finds are linked.
“Our lab will do further DNA analysis of the fly over the coming days,” Inglis says.
He says trapping and inspection in the area will be increased.
“The capture of a single male does not mean we have an outbreak,” Inglis says. “However, while we do our checks for any other fruit flies, we need community help to prevent any possible spread.”
“As a precautionary measure, we’ll be putting legal restrictions in place on the movement of fruit and vegetables out of the area where the fruit fly was found,” he adds.
Meanwhile, HortNZ chief executive Kate Scott says her organisation fully supports the increased trapping, inspection efforts, and the legal restrictions on the area.
“Protecting New Zealand’s horticulture sector from biosecurity threats like the fruit fly is critical to our economy and our reputation for producing high-quality fruit and vegetables,” says Scott.
While opening the first electrode boiler at its Edendale site, Fonterra has announced a $70 million investment in two further new electrode boilers.
Fonterra says its ongoing legal battle with Australian processor Bega Cheese won’t change its divestment plans.
With an amendment to the Medicines Act proposing human medicines could be approved in 30 days if the product has approval from two recognised overseas jurisdictions, there’s a call for a similar approach where possible to be applied to some animal medicines.
The Government wants to make sure that rural communities get a level of service that people who live in cities often complacently expect.
As the New Zealand Government launches negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement with India, one Canterbury-based vegetable seed breeder is already benefiting from exporting to the world's fifth-largest economy.
Onenui Station on Mahia Peninsula in northern Hawke's Bay is a world first in more ways than one.
OPINION: You would've missed this one if you rely on mainstream media for your news, but your old mate reckons…
OPINION: With the Government applying some fiscal discipline to scientific research funding, this mutt thinks it might be timely to…