Articles tagged with Ministry For Primary Industries

New Zealand Invests in Advanced Biosecurity Lab to Protect Primary Industries

6 days ago | 97 views

The New Zealand Government is investing in a new Plant Health and Environment Laboratory (PHEL) at Mt Albert to enhance biosecurity, protect primary industries, and support economic growth. This modern facility will replace the aging MPI lab, strengthen defenses against biosecurity threats, and help maintain export market access critical to the $60.4 billion food and fibre sector. Construction, managed by Crown Infrastructure Delivery and led by Southbase Construction, began with completion expected in 2028 and operation starting in 2029.

Tags: Andrew Hoggard Chris Bishop Biosecurity Minister Infrastructure Minister Ministry for Primary Industries Crown Infrastructure Delivery Southbase Construction Plant Health and Environment Laboratory Mt Albert Research Centre New Zealand Government

New Zealand Launches VetNet-Biosecurity to Combat Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreaks

1 week ago | 84 views

New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries has partnered with the Veterinary Council to create VetNet-Biosecurity, a network of 200 private veterinarians ready to respond rapidly to serious animal disease outbreaks like foot and mouth disease. This initiative aims to provide urgent field support, including clinical examinations and sample collection, with veterinarians continuing their regular employment while receiving training and financial compensation from MPI. Additionally, free biosecurity training is available to all registered veterinarians to enhance their skills in exotic disease detection and on-farm biosecurity protocols.

Tags: Andrew Hoggard Veterinary Council of New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries New Zealand foot and mouth disease Biosecurity Minister MPI private veterinarians Cabinet

32 Graduate Veterinarians Start Rural Careers in New Zealand Through Govt Scheme

1 week ago | 130 views

Thirty-two graduate veterinarians will start their careers in rural New Zealand through the Government’s Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians, receiving $55,000 over five years to work in 26 communities focused on production animals and working dogs. The scheme aims to address the rural vet shortage, support animal health, and promote primary sector growth by placing vets in diverse, close-knit rural areas. Since its launch in 2009, the scheme has supported 516 recipients, with the latest group distributed across regions including Waikato, Canterbury, Otago, and others.

Tags: Todd McClay Andrew Hoggard Voluntary Bonding Scheme Ministry for Primary Industries New Zealand rural veterinarians agriculture veterinary graduates animal health primary sector

New Zealand's Strong Wool Scores First Export Order for Innovative Wool Particles

2 weeks ago | 114 views

New Zealand’s strong wool sector has achieved a major milestone with its first export order for innovative wool particle products, secured by Wool Source for a Japanese personal care company. This success stems from a significant $8.72 million Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) program aimed at developing high-value wool products, including powders and pigments for cosmetics, paints, and inks. The government is actively promoting wool use domestically and internationally to boost returns for sheep farmers and support the sector’s growth.

Tags: Mark Patterson Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand Wool Source Ministry for Primary Industries New Zealand WRONZ Kāinga Ora sheep farmers Japanese company Rural Communities Minister

New Zealand Nears Eradication of Mycoplasma bovis After Major Milestone

3 weeks ago | 142 views

New Zealand is nearing eradication of the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis, with no infections detected after two spring calving seasons and ongoing surveillance to confirm its absence. The $870 million, 10-year eradication programme, launched in 2018, has involved farmers, officials, and the community working together to protect the dairy and beef industries from significant economic losses. The last known transmission was in September 2023, and efforts continue to achieve full eradication by June 2028, with gratitude expressed for the collective perseverance and sacrifices made.

Tags: Andrew Hoggard Mycoplasma bovis Biosecurity Minister DairyNZ Beef + Lamb New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries OSPRI New Zealand farmers animal disease eradication community leaders

Government Announces $100,000 Aid for Kaikōura and Hurunui Communities

1 month ago | 200 views

The Government is providing an additional $100,000 to Mayoral Relief Funds for Kaikōura and Hurunui communities affected by severe weather, in addition to a $150,000 contribution to Southland and Clutha funds. Each of the Kaikōura and Hurunui districts will receive $25,000 to aid in response and recovery efforts. The Ministry for Primary Industries is also contributing $25,000 to each district to support rural sector recovery efforts.

Tags: Government Mayoral Relief Funds Kaikōura Hurunui Mark Mitchell Emergency Management Recovery Ministry for Primary Industries Rural sector Communities

Government Awards $129,000 for Seaweed Removal in Northland After Cyclone Tam

2 months ago | 241 views

The Government awarded $129,000 to Northland Regional Council to assist in removing caulerpa seaweed washed up on beaches after Ex-Tropical Cyclone Tam in April, using emergency waste funding. Local hapū, volunteers, and council staff swiftly removed over 100 tonnes of the invasive seaweed to prevent harm to coastlines and marine ecosystems. Environment Minister Penny Simmonds commended the efforts and highlighted ongoing initiatives like the Exotic Caulerpa Elimination Project supported by $6.2 million to address the issue at its source.

Tags: Government Northland Regional Council Environment Minister Penny Simmonds emergency waste funding caulerpa seaweed local hapū marine ecosystems Tasman District Council Ministry for Primary Industries

Managing Bird Flu: New Proposals to Safeguard Poultry and Food Supply in New Zealand

3 months ago | 302 views

New proposals to manage high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 aim to reduce impacts on poultry in New Zealand if the virus arrives, with a focus on protecting livelihoods and food supply. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is leading preparedness efforts in collaboration with various agencies and stakeholders. Proposed regulations include requirements for biosecurity control programs, standards for poultry operators, audits, and penalties for non-compliance, with consultation open for six weeks to gather feedback on the potential impacts and costs for the industry.

Tags: Andrew Hoggard Biosecurity Minister Ministry for Primary Industries HPAI H5N1 Bird flu poultry avian biosecurity control New Zealand consultation regulations

Transforming New Zealand's Import Health Standards for Enhanced Efficiency and Biosecurity Protection

4 months ago | 1342 views

The New Zealand Government is modernizing the import health system to reduce the time it takes to develop Import Health Standards (IHSs) while maintaining strong biosecurity protections. A regulatory efficiency program is underway, utilizing generative artificial intelligence to streamline the IHS development process. Pilot projects, such as the reform of the Plant Nursery Stock import system, aim to provide faster approvals for imported goods and support growth and productivity while safeguarding biosecurity.

Tags: Government New Zealand Import Health Standards Biosecurity Andrew Hoggard regulatory framework artificial intelligence Ministry for Primary Industries MPI

Government Facilitates Support for Flood-Affected Farmers in Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough Regions

5 months ago | 1147 views

The Government today classified the flooding across the Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough regions as a medium-scale adverse event unlocking extra support for flood-affected farmers and growers Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson say. “Last week’s deluge damaged infrastructure such as livestock fences, culverts, and tracks, and left pasture and orchards covered in silt and flood debris,” Mr McClay says. “The Government is making up to $100,000 available to support and coordinate recovery efforts, including up to $20,000 for the Top of the South Rural Support Trust.

Tags: Farmers Mark patterson Marlborough Mayoral relief fund Metservice Ministry for primary industries On farm support Patterson Rural communities Rural support trust Taskforce green Todd mcclay Top of the south rural support trust