Meeting face-to-face with vegetable, fruit growers
The Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) team is looking forward to connecting with growers at the upcoming South Island Agricultural Field Days, says HortNZ chief executive Kate Scott.
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.
Sitting Beef + Lamb NZ farmer director Scott Gower has been voted out by farmers.
The New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) says it will be working alongside the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and Animal and Plant Health New Zealand (APHANZ) as they attempt to improve access to veterinary medicines.
Federated Farmers says it welcomes a recent court decision which granted a stay on rules in the Southland Water and Land Plan until legislative changes can be made by government.
A holistic approach to sustainability sees Pukatea Dairy Farms take out the top award at this year's Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
Registrations are now open for the highly anticipated South Island Dairy Event (SIDE) 2025, taking place April 7-9 in Timaru.
Scientists from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) are part of an international team working to develop a low-cost diagnostic tool that could significantly improve food crop production in developing countries.
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