MPI job cuts 'won't disrupt organisational structure'
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
New harrier hound puppies will potentially allow the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to breed giant biosecurity detector dogs.
MPI mainly uses beagles as detector dogs. Harrier hounds look like beagles but are much taller, making it easier to sniff travellers' backpacks and baggage stacked high on airport trolleys for biosecurity risk items.
Collectively known as "N-litter", the six new puppies will be the first harriers to undergo full training as biosecurity detector dogs, says Brett Hickman, MPI detection technology manager.
"We're excited about the prospect of putting the pups right through our puppy walking and training programme and equipping them with the full range of biosecurity detection skills."
By the end of their training, they will be able sniff 35 base odours, including fruit, vegetables, meat and plants – "items that could carry harmful pests or diseases into New Zealand".
MPI acquired the puppies from the New Zealand Hunts' Association last month and will look for potential breeding animals from the litter.
"We want to cross the harriers with beagles that have already established themselves as detector dog stars. That will increase the genetic diversity of our detector dogs, and will see the introduction of taller dogs in future generations under our breeding programme," says Hickman.
The pups are due to go to foster homes in Auckland and Hamilton in the next few weeks. This will help them get used to people and different environments.
MPI has two other harrier hounds – one working as a biosecurity detector dog and one in training. Both started their training as adolescents.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.
OPINION: This old mutt well remembers the wailing, whining and gnashing of teeth by former West Coast MP and Labour…
OPINION: Your canine crusader gets a little fed up with the some in media, union hacks, opposition politicians and hard-core…