June 2008
- Candidatus Liberibacter spp bacterium detected in new host
30 June 2008
The Candidatus Liberibacter spp. bacterium, recently found in glasshouse tomato and capsicum crops, has now been detected in commercial potato crops in the Auckland region. - Fanworm search begins in Lyttelton
30 June 2008
Work begins today on surveying Lyttelton port for the marine pest the Mediterranean fanworm (Sabella spallanzanii). - Impacts of drought will require ongoing management
20 June 2008
The National Drought Committee says the drought will have long term consequences for farmers and the sector must be well prepared to manage the ongoing impact. - Drought recovery
20 June 2008
This handout includes a compilation of articles commissioned by MAF that focus on repairing drought-damaged pasture, farm management options for drought recovery, and use of nitrogen fertiliser to bridge post-drought feed deficits. - Need help with drought relief? [233KB PDF]
20 June 2008
This brochure describes the range of government assistance (MAF, Rural Support Trusts, Working for Families, Ministry of Social Development, Work and Income, Inland Revenue and Stress Counselling) available to farmers and farm workers affected by drought. - MAF Policy News - Issue 10
16 June 2008
The latest news from the agriculture and forestry sectors this month includes the new Sustainable Forestry bulletin being produced to keep readers up to date; the latest snapshot of New Zealand's forests (National Exotic Forest Description as at 1 April 2007) now available; and the Primary Sector Partnership Group reconfirms valuable freshwater resources. - National Exotic Forest Description as at 1 April 2007
10 June 2008
The 24th edition of the National Exotic Forest Description (NEFD) report has now been released. The report describes New Zealand's planted production forests as at 1 April 2007, based on a survey of forest owners, and provides a detailed breakdown of the age structure of these forests. It is published annually to assist with infrastructure planning, assessment of wood processing opportunities and for central government policy development. As at 1 April 2007 the total forest area was estimated to be 1.79 million hectares with a further 35 600 hectares awaiting restocking following harvest. - Forestry Production and Trade for the March 2008 quarter
The March 2008 quarter saw harvesting slowing down from the previous quarter. However, there was a 15 percent increase in log exports as a result of the surplus logs harvested in the December 2007 quarter. Despite these higher export volumes, an increase in shipping rates resulted in lower export earnings - total earnings for the March 2008 quarter were NZ$747 million. - MAFBNZ to discontinue funding national Dutch Elm Disease programme
5 June 2008
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) will discontinue funding national management of the Dutch Elm Disease programme. - New bacterium affects fresh tomatoes and capsicums
4 June 2008
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.
Contact for Enquiries
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526, Wellington
Tel: +64 4 894 0100
Fax: +64 4 894 0720
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