Why our future depends on taking biosecurity seriously
OPINION: When it comes to biosecurity, we often hear about the end of a response, but it’s the beginning that helps determine our success.
The Ministry for Primary Industries will introduce two new mobile biosecurity x-ray machines this summer to help keep fruit fly and other destructive pests out of New Zealand.
The purchase follows MPI's introduction of a new mobile x-ray last year to screen the bags of cruise ship passengers arriving at North Island ports.
"The additional mobile units give MPI greater flexibility to wheel out x-ray screening for fresh fruit and other biosecurity goods across the whole country," says MPI detection technology manager Brett Hickman.
"This year their use won't be restricted to cruise ship passengers. They'll go to where the action is.
'For example, they will provide backup for our fixed biosecurity x-ray units at airports and Auckland’s International Mail Centre.
"We've already used one to scan international mail items while an existing permanent x-ray machine was undergoing repairs."
He also expects to see them used for screening express freight items and if for any reason MPI needed to set up a special biosecurity clearance area.
One of the mobile units is due to head to its base in Tauranga this week. The other two units will be based in Auckland and Dunedin.
"We'll be able to deploy the machines from these bases at short notice to wherever they are required," says Hickman.
MPI currently owns and operates 28 fixed x-ray units for baggage scanning at international airports, military bases and the Auckland International Mail Centre.
An independent report, prepared for Alliance farmer shareholders is backing the proposed $250 million joint venture investment by Irish company Dawn Meats Group.
Whangarei field service technician, Bryce Dickson has cemented his place in John Deere’s history, becoming the first ever person to win an award for the third time at the annual Australian and New Zealand Technician of the Year Awards, announced at a gala dinner in Brisbane last night.
NZPork has appointed Auckland-based Paul Bucknell as its new chair.
The Government claims to have delivered on its election promise to protect productive farmland from emissions trading scheme (ETS) but red meat farmers aren’t happy.
Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks could have a detrimental impact on any country's rural sector, as seen in the United Kingdom's 2000 outbreak that saw the compulsory slaughter of over six million animals.
The Ministry for the Environment is joining as a national award sponsor in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA from next year).
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