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National’s biosecurity spokeswoman Barbara Kuriger.
The government is being accused of going cap-in-hand to the primary sector seeking cash to help eradicate Mycoplasma bovis.
National’s primary industries spokesman Nathan Guy claims the Ministry for Primary Industries is canvassing the dairy and red meat industry for money to pay for its response and eradication of the disease.
“In Parliament Damien O’Connor couldn’t say how much money the Government is prepared to contribute to fully eradicate Mycoplasma bovis,” Guy says.
“Knowing how tight the Government’s finances are because of its other big-spending commitments – and even with financial contributions from industry – Mr O’Connor has an uphill battle convincing his Cabinet colleagues how critical funding of over $100 million actually is.”
Meanwhile, National’s biosecurity spokeswoman Barbara Kuriger says New Zealand farmers deserve clarity and transparency from the Government on its plans to trace and eradicate the disease.
“Farmers are already dealing with challenging conditions, given the worsening droughts in many of our regions, and now the uncertainty about the Government’s plans to contain Mycoplasma bovis is adding unfair stress to the rural sector.”
Kuriger says farmers deserve to know what plans are in place to contain the spread.
“The minister needs to be more open with the information he has received.”
The recent East Coast Farming Expo, held over two days at Wairoa, offered an insight into the current state of agriculture on the east of the North Island, at a time when the locals are remembering the second anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle.
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An initiative by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to connect farmers with scientists is taking off judging by the response at recent regional field days.
New Zealand's red meat sector is looking at exporting more than sheepmeat products to India when a comprehensive free trade agreement is secured between the two countries.
Scientists from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) are part of an international team working to develop a low-cost diagnostic tool that could significantly improve food crop production in developing countries.
Federated Farmers supports a review of the current genetic technology legislation but insists that a farmer’s right to either choose or reject it must be protected.
New Zealand’s top business leaders are urging the US Administration to review “unjustified and discriminatory tariffs” imposed on Kiwi exporters.
New tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump signal an uncertain future, but New Zealand farmers know how to adapt to changing conditions, says Auriga Martin, chief executive of Farm Focus.
A global trade war beckons, which is bad news for a small open economy like New Zealand, warns Mark Smith ASB senior economist.
Carterton's Awakare Farm has long stood as a place where family, tradition and innovation intersect.
Fonterra says the US continues to be an important market for New Zealand dairy and the co-op.
OPINION: At last, a serious effort to better connect farmers and scientists.
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