Displaying items by tag: RAY SMITH

A $40 million out-of-court settlement has been reached between the Government and some kiwifruit industry players over the long-running compensation case relating to the vine disease Psa.

Post Covid, Ray Smith, director general of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), says there is a big opportunity to take our primary product to the rest of the world. 

There is a need to re-orientate New Zealanders into working in the primary sector, according to the director general of the Ministry for Primary Industries.

The Ministry for Primary Industries says, in the space of a week, it’s had over 120 applications for assistance from the special drought recovery fund.

MPI has received hundreds of calls from businesses in the food and beverage sectoring wanting to ensure that they are correctly complying with COVID-19 requirements.

MPI boss Ray Smith has appealed to all those involved in food and beverage processing to be meticulous about hygiene.

Primary food production is in business. But it’s not business as usual – as we used to know it.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has set up a register for safe practice in the sector, with registrations due this Friday.

The rise and rise of horticulture is prompting MPI to reconfigure its operations.

He’s only been in the job a month or so, but already Ray Smith has been on the road meeting staff and stakeholders and rapidly coming to grips with his new role.