Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

New proposed regulations governing the National Identification and Tracing (NAIT) scheme are provided in a Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) discussion paper that went out for public consultation today.

515 views

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) will be defending in court its decision to allow the importation of fresh uncooked pork from Canada, the EU, Mexico and the USA.

419 views

NAIT Limited and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) today announced mandatory implementation of the national animal identification and tracing (NAIT) scheme will be deferred to next year.

479 views

The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) issued its 2010 Annual Report today.

505 views

WHANGAREI — A Northland dog owner has been convicted of failing to meet the basic needs of animals under the Animal Welfare Act 1999.

596 views

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) today issued updates to four Import Heath Standards for pig meat, pig meat products and by-products from Canada, the EU, Mexico and the USA.

538 views

BAY OF PLENTY — MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAF) has tonight received the results of sequence testing of bacteria isolates which confirms that Pseudomonas syringae pv.

593 views

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) is investigating a report of symptoms of disease on kiwifruit vines on a North Island kiwifruit orchard.  A preliminary test has suggested that a strain of the bacterial kiwifruit vine disease, Pseudomonas syringae pv actinidiae (Psa), may be present on some vines on the orchard.

423 views

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s annual Farm Monitoring Overview, which was released today, shows the fluctuating fortunes of the various pastoral and horticultural sectors is likely to continue into 2010/11.

485 views

COROMANDEL — A Coromandel farm owner and property developer, and his farm worker, have been convicted of deliberately breaching a Court imposed Disqualification Order under the Animal Welfare Act 1999.

653 views

The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) has completed a review of the 2003 code of welfare for broiler (meat) chickens and a draft code has been released today for public consultation.

466 views

NORTHLAND — MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ), in partnership with Northland Regional Council, Auckland Regional Council and the Department of Conservation, are requesting help to find the whereabouts of the invasive plant bat-wing passion flower.

548 views

Dairy farm profitability improved strongly in 2009/10 compared to 2008/09, with the outlook for 2010/11 also positive, but farmer confidence is still fragile according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's (MAF) latest farm monitoring reports.

563 views

Sheep and beef farmer profits have fallen in 2009/10, despite a record lambing percentage in spring 2009, a MAF report shows.

503 views

Representatives from government, Māori business, research and academic communities will gather this month to discuss the Māori food sector.

543 views

AUCKLAND — A Cambodian woman arriving at Auckland Airport from Singapore on Saturday 8 May was found smuggling what is suspected to be a tiger pizzle (penis) and a tiger gallbladder.

468 views

GISBORNE — Stock agent and trader Neville Clark was today sentenced in the Gisborne District Court for ill-treating sheep in his ownership and care.

1,011 views

On Tuesday 20th of April 2010 the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, notified the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Miyazaki, western Japan.

937 views

To many trappers, leg-hold traps are an essential tool for pest management.

722 views

CANTERBURY — MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) is investigating a possible breach of containment, reported by Plant & Food Research, around a containment glasshouse located on the Plant & Food Research campus at Lincoln.

643 views

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) and the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) today confirmed that a series of New Zealand and European laboratory tests on a single New Zealand sheep brain have detected the condition atypical scrapie (also known as Nor 98).

757 views

Inspections by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) of all 22 Crafar-owned properties have concluded, MAF Director-General Murray Sherwin announced today.

1,070 views

On September 24 the Government tabled legislation to amend the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

776 views

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) announced today the outcome of the review of its operations at the border.

552 views

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) has released a discussion document titled SILNA Forests: Review of the 2002 Policy and the Implementation Package.  MAF Natural Resources Director Mike Jebson says the document provides information on the South Island Landless Natives Act 1906 (SILNA) forests policy and its implementation to date, and seeks SILNA forest owner and key stakeholder views on how the current policy has operated and a future approach.

894 views

NORTH SHORE CITY — MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) is helping Auckland authorities to determine the cause of dog illness and death following visits to the city’s North Shore beaches.

916 views

An annual MAF report on the primary sectors says the marked increase in the proportion of wine exported in bulk is lowering overall demand for New Zealand bottled wine.

658 views

New Zealand’s primary sectors have ridden out the global recession remarkably well, according to the annual Situation and Outlook for New Zealand Agriculture and Forestry (SONZAF), launched in Wellington today.

486 views

Increasing the amount of timber used in large-scale commercial buildings can decrease some environmental impacts of the building, according to a Ministry of Agricultural and Forestry study.

627 views

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) is reviewing its operations at the border in the light of a significant drop in trade and passenger volumes in the current worldwide economic downturn.

592 views

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) has received and is giving careful consideration to an independent panel report on the requirements governing future imports of bee products from Australia.

173 views

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) says an important milestone has been reached in the programme to rid New Zealand of the southern saltmarsh mosquito with the completion this week of aerial treatments in the Wairau area in Marlborough.

213 views

Agriculture Minister David Carter has told an audience of meat sector representatives that industry players and farmers need to work together to improve the sector.

193 views

WHANGAREI — The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) and the Department of Labour have today given Whangarei’s Zion Wildlife Gardens approval to reopen to the public.

699 views

WAIPUKURAU — A Waipukarau truck driver pleaded guilty and was sentenced in the Hastings District Court today for the ill treatment of a lamb in his care.

788 views

WHANGAREI — The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) has today enacted powers under the Biosecurity Act 1993 and temporarily closed the Zion Wildlife Gardens near Whangarei to the public in the wake of this week’s death of a keeper at the park.

774 views

Following an intensive three year surveillance programme MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) has declared the successful eradication of the Red Imported Fire Ant from the Whirinaki area, effective 4pm Wednesday 22 April 2009.

480 views

HAMILTON — The serious threat of kauri dieback to native kauri forests in the Waikato will be the focus of a public meeting on Thursday 30 April in Hamilton.

534 views

The Royal New Zealand SPCA does not expect a resumption of live sheep shipments to the Middle East, following talks, yesterday, between the Society and Agriculture Minster, David Carter.

410 views

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) has evaluated non-compliance with controls at Plant & Food Research - the Lincoln-based crown research institute containment facility where genetically modified (GM) brassica plants had been growing as part of an approved field trial.

158 views

CANTERBURY —   MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) has completed their review of the Plant & Food Research internal report into a reported breach of containment facility requirements at Plant & Food Research – the Lincoln based crown research institute containment facility where GM brassica plants had been growing as part of an approved field trial.

267 views

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) has today issued a provisional import health standard (IHS) for the importation of horses from Australia, removing the existing import requirements for equine influenza.

266 views

Farmers recovering from drought are likely to have a challenging year due to rising costs coupled with economic uncertainty, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s latest report.

388 views

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) is releasing 3000 grass carp into Lakes Tutira, Waikopiro, and Opouahi today as part of its programme to eradicate the invasive aquatic weed hydrilla from the lakes.

545 views

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology has scooped a $1 million funding award for sustainable buildings from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

353 views

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) have received advice from Biosecurity Australia that they have revised their emergency measures which will allow the importation of tomato and capsicum fruit from New Zealand.

289 views

On Friday 14 November, the new funding round for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestrys (MAFs) Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) opens.

316 views

TAUMARUNUI — MAF has successfully prosecuted a Northland milling company and its director for contravening an approval to harvest and mill native timber for personal use.

769 views

WELLINGTON CITY — The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) has allocated two more erosion treatment projects a total of $1.4 million under its Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Hill Country Erosion Fund.

293 views

New Zealand cut flower and foliage growers, who export product to the USA, are about to receive an early Christmas present.

457 views

The MAF Biosecurity New Zealand website has been completely redesigned, and as a subscriber to one of our mailing lists, we thought you would be interested in learning more about some of the new features on our site.

307 views

GISBORNE — The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) today released the East Coast Forest Industry and Wood Availability Forecasts report which indicates a steady increase in wood availability for the region over the next 12 years; and potential for significantly greater increase through a 25 year period.

969 views

New Zealand growers are showing their resilience and flexibility despite changing economic conditions, says a report launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) today.

374 views

The Afforestation Grant Scheme’s (AGS) first public tender round has granted nine recipients a total $927,000 to plant new forests; and further applications are being called for, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) announced today.

630 views

CANTERBURY — MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) will revoke all movement controls associated with varroa bee mite, effective from 25 September 2008.

391 views

CANTERBURY — MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) investigations after last week’s find of varroa bee mite outside of the current South Island Controlled Area have confirmed further reports in North Canterbury.

300 views

A surveillance programme researching the presence of avian influenza in New Zealand has found low pathogenic (LPAI) H5N1 virus in two samples taken from mallard ducks.

911 views

HAWKE'S BAY — The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) today released its Hawkes Bay Forest Industry and Wood Availability Forecasts Report that indicates an increase in wood availability in the region after 2016 and increased opportunities for the sector.

886 views

WELLINGTON — More than 100 participants from government, industry and research institutes from around New Zealand attended a first of its kind workshop in Wellington this week to learn, share and look into strategies on greenhouse gas (GHG) footprinting.

199 views

A working group formed to assess the risks of cadmium in New Zealand agriculture today released its full report into the risks and issues associated with cadmium accumulation, following the release of preliminary findings in December.

419 views

The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) issued its 2007 Annual Report today.

103 views

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) today announced seven successful grant recipients under its first funding round of the Community Irrigation Fund (CIF) which provides support to promoters of community irrigation and water storage schemes.

519 views

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) is predicting the strength of the dairy sector will reinforce agriculture’s cornerstone position in the New Zealand economy over the next five years.

291 views

The Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), Murray Sherwin announced the appointment of Paul Stocks as Deputy Director-General, MAF Policy earlier today.

162 views

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) is forecasting solid growth for the primary sector over the next five years despite the tougher immediate economic outlook both internationally and locally.

324 views

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) has established a new South Island Controlled Area for the varroa bee mite.

344 views

HAWKE'S BAY — Former Hawkes Bay District Health Board member Peter Hausmann welcomes the Serious Fraud Office's vindication of his actions, but says he is deeply disappointed that valuable police and Serious Fraud Office time has been wasted.

373 views

The National Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) Annual Report was released today.

336 views

The interception of six live Siamese fighting fish in a parcel at the International Mail Centre in Auckland highlights an on-going problem, says MAF Biosecurity New Zealand.

292 views

Four members of AgResearch’s Biomembrane Laboratory have been selected as the recipients of the 2008 National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) Three Rs Award.

198 views

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) will discontinue funding national management of the Dutch Elm Disease programme.

217 views

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) has today withdrawn phytosanitary certification for New Zealand fresh tomato and capsicum export produce until further notice, following the confirmation of a new disease-causing bacterium in three commercial hot-house operations in the North Island.

320 views

WELLINGTON — The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) welcomes todays conviction’s of Noel Cudby in the Wellington District Court for the de-velveting of deer without adequate pain relief and the required approvals.

376 views

LYTTELTON — MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) is responding to the detection of a new and unwanted marine species in Lyttelton Port.

2,107 views

A new report released by MAF shows that not all of the effects of climate change are bad for the agricultural sectors.

339 views

The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) has completed a review into the minimum standard that relates to maximum stocking densities in the 2003 Broiler Code of Welfare and has concluded that a change to the minimum standard is not required at this time.

303 views

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) has just released new wood availability forecasts for the Central North Island that indicate a steady increase in supply for the region over the next 12 years.

202 views

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) has established a new South Island Controlled Area to protect beekeeping operations in the West Coast, Canterbury and areas further south, from varroa which was found at St Arnaud, outside the previous South Island Controlled Area, three weeks’ ago.

173 views

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is seeking comments on an exposure draft of the regulations for the forestry sector under the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZETS).

655 views

Varroa bee mite has been found at several apiary sites near St Arnaud, just outside the Nelson-Marlborough Varroa Controlled Area boundary, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) said today.

672 views

TAURANGA — The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) is pleased with the conviction handed down today in the Tauranga District Court to a Katikati company for the illegal importation of sowing seeds.

656 views

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) has today issued an Import Health Standard for horses from Australia, lifting the suspension on imports that has been in place since August last year.

335 views

AUCKLAND — A second round of testing has confirmed that ten horses in the Karaka quarantine facility are free from equine influenza.

214 views

AUCKLAND — MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) announced this afternoon that it is retesting samples taken from horses imported directly from the United States to the Karaka quarantine facility due to conflicting test results.

165 views

The National Drought Committee is acknowledging the proactive way that farmers are responding to ongoing drought conditions and encouraging them to keep up the good work.

364 views

TASMAN — The MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) dredging of the Tasman Bay site where an oil rig was cleaned late last year is progressing well.

359 views

Biosecurity officials are celebrating the arrival of the first beagle puppies specially bred to protect New Zealand’s international borders.

370 views

Twenty eight possible alternatives to the ozone depleting gas methyl bromide came under scrutiny yesterday when over 90 government and industry representatives met in Wellington to review the alternatives to methyl bromide use at our borders.

196 views

Federated Farmers says blunders by MAF Biosecurity are threatening New Zealand’s primary sector and the environment.

141 views

Two new academic positions focused on exploring the uses of fine charcoal known as “bio-char” in the fight against greenhouse gases and climate change have been formally established, with the signing of a contract between the Massey University and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF).

208 views

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s biosecurity arm, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) is today working in close co-operation with the nursery and gardening industry to limit the distribution of suspected pest weeds through contaminated imported coconut fibre.

278 views

ROTORUA — New wood availability forecasts for the East Coast compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will assist with future regional planning for the forest industry and provide infrastructure agencies with credible data for future planning, says John Vaney, Regional Team Leader with MAF Policy in Rotorua.

860 views

Many of GE Free (NZ) concerns about facility inspection have been backed up in the MAF report on the Scion GE Tree biosecurity breach, made public this week.

318 views

HAWKE'S BAY — New wood availability forecasts for the Hawke’s Bay compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) will assist with future regional planning for the forest industry and provide infrastructure agencies with credible data for future planning, says John Vaney, Regional Team Leader with MAF Policy in Rotorua.

646 views

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) has welcomed ERMA’s approval of the Flu Avert® I.N vaccine for emergency use, should New Zealand ever face an equine influenza outbreak.

244 views

The rain in the last few days is only breathing space.

176 views

CANTERBURY — The invasive alga didymo has been detected at two sites upstream of the Rangitata Diversion Race (RDR) intake on the Rangitata River.

363 views

Following a tough year for the pastoral sector, financial prospects for dairy and deer farmers are looking good for 2007/08, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s (MAF) new annual Pastoral Monitoring Report.

188 views

CANTERBURY — The invasive algae didymo has today been confirmed in the Rangitata Diversion Race, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand announced today.

269 views

Appeal Court decision to uphold an appeal by New Zealand beekeepers regarding an import health standard covering honey from Australia.

240 views