Bikinis in cowshed
OPINION: An animal activist organisation is calling for an investigation into the use of dairy cows in sexuallly explicit content posted on social media and adult entertainment subscription site OnlyFans.
The Ministry for Primary Industries is facing the prospect of a 7.5% cut in its budget for the new financial year as part of the new government’s cost cutting exercise.
In an email to staff the Director General of MPI, Ray Smith, says his senior leadership team (SLT) has been working through the issue and have now produced a consultation document which would see staff numbers cut by 9%. He says this would be mix of not filling existing vacancies as well as the disestablishing other roles.
Smith says the proposals would see a net reduction of 384 positions, of which around 40% are currently vacant. He says they are not proposing any reductions to frontline services and statutory roles, such as veterinarians, animal welfare, fishery and food compliance officers, or our biosecurity teams at the border. But he says they are proposing changes to roles and reporting lines in other areas of MPI, including the disestablishment of some positions.
Smith says they will seek to place as many affected people as possible into alternative roles.
MPI has now put out a consultation document to staff and Smith and his SLT will immediately begin the consultation process with on-line and in person meetings. PSA and other union officials have also been notified.
The consultation period runs from 21 March until midnight, 9 April. Following consideration of consultation feedback, Smith and his leadership team will make final decisions by mid-May.
State farmer Pāmu has appointed Roz Urbahn as its new chief corporate services officer.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has approved a rust fungus and a flower weevil to control Darwin’s barberry, a spiny invasive shrub.
Rural trader PGG Wrightson has lifted its earning guidance for the last financial year on the back of stronger-than-expected performances across several business units.
The creation of Europe's largest dairy co-operative should be complete by early 2026.
Federated Farmers is arguing for controversial environmentalist group Greenpeace to be stripped of its charitable status.
Twenty four young farmers from South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania have returned from a recent study tour of Ireland with practical insights, fresh thinking and an expanded network of peers.
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