Editorial: Agri's mojo is back
OPINION: Good times are coming back for the primary industries. From sentiment expressed at Fieldays to the latest rural confidence survey results, all indicate farmer confidence at a near-record high.
The Ministry for Primary Industries has intercepted a large-scale illegal home kill operation in the greater Auckland region.
MPI Northern region investigations manager, Simon Anderson, says compliance officers yesterday executed six search warrants at rural and urban addresses in the west and south of the city.
“Officers seized a refrigerated container, a truck, unregulated meat, and a large amount of food processing equipment.
“This was a large-scale, sophisticated operation involving more than 100 customers.
“A number of people are now being spoken to as a result of our investigation.”
Anderson says members of the public are urged to source their meat from regulated outlets like butcheries, supermarkets, and other meat sellers.
“This is particularly the case in the lead up to Christmas where illegal home kill operations are, traditionally, more prevalent.
“Meat being sold directly from a farm to the public is a strong indicator of unlicensed activity.
“If whole beasts are being sold then the carcass must be stamped by an abattoir. Processed meat sold in trays in shops should be labelled.
“Any suspicious or unlicensed meat sellers should be reported. If we receive information about these kind of operations we will shut them down and prosecute the people making money from selling potentially substandard product.
“There’s a very serious public health component to our interest in ensuring people comply with the law. We have a duty to protect the public from the threat of various food borne illnesses associated with illegal home kill.
“Most people have no problem complying but a few do flout the law.
“The fines are substantial for those convicted and serious offenders risk custodial sentences. Individuals involved in illegal activity face a prison term of up to five years and a fine of up to $100,000 – it’s just not worth it.”
The public can report any suspicious activity to MPI’s Food safety helpline: 0800 00 83 33.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
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