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Biosecurity New Zealand deputy director general Stuart Anderson.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is on the hunt for biosecurity champions as entries open for the 2022 New Zealand Biosecurity Awards.
The awards are designed to recognise and celebrate the contributions made across the country to protect against pests and diseases.
“It’s our way of honouring people and organisations across the motu who are contributing to biosecurity – in our communities, businesses, iwi and hapū, government, in the bush, our oceans and waterways, and in our backyards,” says Biosecurity deputy-director general Stuart Anderson.
He says that some New Zealanders aren’t aware that their work in their own backyards plays a critical role in the biosecurity system.
“From trapping pests like catfish, rats and stoats; to disease management in out forests, rivers and oceans; these are all important projects which strengthen our biosecurity system.”
“A strong biosecurity system takes all of us. We are grateful to receive continued support for these Awards from our fantastic sponsors – AsureQuality, Eagle Technology, Government Industry Agreement (GIA), Mondiale VGL and New Zealand’s Biological Heritage - we couldn’t do it without them,” says Anderson.
The impact of being a winner at the New Zealand Biosecurity Awards goes beyond the recognition and celebration on the Awards night, according to 2021 Supreme Winner Xerra Earth Observation Institute.
“The recognition of Starboard’s work through these awards has been enormously motivating to continue our journey towards science-based benefits for all Aotearoa,” says Xerra programme leader Moritz Lehman.
“Biosecurity challenges need a team approach and we sincerely thank the intensive co-development support from staff at Biosecurity New Zealand who now use our tool to help protect our maritime border from invasive species.”
The New Zealand Biosecurity Awards categories are:
Entries close 5pm, 31 July 2022.
In this biosecurity article, I touch on four subjects of recent interest: the new New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) Biosecurity Contractor Resources, a Brown Marmorated Stink Bug update, a Xylella Action Group update, and the Forest Biosecurity Conference.
Taranaki has launched Biosecurity Taranaki in an effort to safeguard the region’s environment.
Every year, the New Zealand Winegrowers biosecurity team is sent an increasing number of images from members of suspected grapevine pest insects and disease symptoms, evidence that a high level of biosecurity awareness is building amongst the industry.
Biosecurity New Zealand says its frontline teams are ready for the anticipated influx of summer travellers with changes to arrivals processing at airports and the introduction of new hosts to help people.
Biosecurity New Zealand has welcomed 23 new quarantine officers and four new detector dog handlers this month.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.
Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.
