A South Island farming couple whose farm was the first discovered with Mycoplasma bovis are taking legal action against the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

A serious threat is posed to New Zealand’s agricultural and horticultural sectors by the brown marmorated stink bug (Halymorpha halys), MPI warns.

MPI’s director-general, Ray Smith, wants his staff to engage more with the rural sector.

A global animal health company that has developed a novel methane inhibitor for cows’ rumens says it has hit a regulatory roadblock in New Zealand.

With exports of animal or animal products valued at $28.6 billion (year to June 2018), MPI says New Zealand needs high animal welfare standards to protect our reputation worldwide.

Calf club organisers must take extra biosecurity steps this spring to avoid the spread of Mycoplasma bovis, says MPI.

Rural contractors have challenged MPI and Federated Farmers over the management of Mycoplasma bovis.

Almost all the recommendations from two reviews of the Mycoplasma bovis programme have been accepted, after the ‘surge in activity’ leading up to this year’s moving day.

The Northland farmer to farmer learning programme Extension 350 is attracting nationwide attention.

Native to Asia, the harlequin ladybird first arrived in Auckland, in 2016. Upon receiving notification of its arrival, MPI undertook an investigation and found it already too widespread for an eradication attempt to have any reasonable chance of success.