THE GOVERNMENT and the commercial pork industry have signed up to a Government Industry Agreement (GIA) on biosecurity readiness.

AGRECOVERY FOUNDATION wants councils to introduce and enforce burning bans after a recycling surge followed the introduction of a burning ban in Canterbury in January 2014.

NORTHLAND VETERINARIANS have joined relief efforts on flood-stricken dairy farms.

Fonterra Shareholders Council chairman, Ian Brown has been re-elected unopposed for a third term.

CIVIL DEFENCE officials say a 'severe weather watch' issued for Northland for the weekend reflects a sensible, cautious approach by forecasters and is no cause for alarm at this stage.

AN ADDITIONAL 34 medical places for students next year at the country's two medical schools, 17 of which will be earmarked for rural students is extremely encouraging, says New Zealand Rural General Practice Network deputy chairperson Sharon Hansen.

THE FINALISTS have been announced for the third Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Sheep Industry Awards.

ANDY SOMERVILLE, who has extensive experience in business development, has been appointed chief executive officer for the Primary Industry Capability Alliance (PICA).

MASSEY UNIVERSITY Professor Richard Archer has been awarded the New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology's most prestigious honour, the JC Andrews Award.

BEEF + LAMB New Zealand (B+LNZ) Genetics is officially in business.