Industrial Hemp Regulations Revoked as New Zealand Opens New Era for Hemp Industry
From last week, the Industrial Hemp Regulations 2006 have been revoked.
The Ministry of Primary Industries says work continues at pace on a large farming operation in the South Canterbury/Oamaru area to manage the bacterial cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis.
Currently one farm in the Van Leeuwen Dairy Group of farms has confirmed test results that are positive for the disease. Tests have been carried out on stock on other farms in the enterprise.
The Ministry has 16 individual properties within the operation under Restricted Place Notices controlling the movement of stock and other risk goods off the farms.
MPI’s regional controller Dr Chris Rodwell says the situation is well under control with support from the affected farm owner and farm managers.
“I cannot speak highly enough of the affected farmer and his staff. They’re working closely with us during what is a difficult and stressful time for them and I applaud their level of professionalism.”
MPI’s focus is to identify affected stock and contain the disease. This is being done by isolating the affected farms. The farmer concerned has euthanised a small number of animals voluntarily for animal welfare reasons.
“At this time we are still determining the scale of this situation through on-farm sampling and testing, and tracing of movements of stock on and off the properties.
The bright ideas of New Zealand's primary sector have been celebrated with an announcement of the winners of the 2026 Innovation Awards.
Newly appointed Federated Farmers vice president Sandra Faulkner says she is honoured and excited to hold the role.
New Zealand's top fencers were out in force at National Fieldays this month, demonstrating their skills with the ever-reliable number 8 wire.
New Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst says he will ensure that farmer voices are heard loud and clear wherever decisions are being made.
Paynes Titus Excelsior ET, an LIC bull bred by Brad Payne and Claire Brodie in the Waikato, has won the JT Thwaites Sire of the Season 2026 Award.
South Canterbury farmer Colin Hurst has been elected as the new president of Federated Farmers.

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