What's New

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July

  • Mediterranean fanworm widespread in Lyttelton Port
    3 July 2007
    A thorough search of the Lyttelton Port and surrounding marine environment for the pest marine species the Mediterranean fanworm has revealed the organism is widespread in the inner harbour.

June

  • 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.

May

April

  • Afforestation Grant Scheme Guidelines
    22 April 2008
    The Afforestation Grants Scheme (AGS) is a contestable fund designed to encourage more planting of trees in small forests and on farms.
  • Forestry programmes decision flowchart
    18 April 2008
    The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) for forestry is part of a comprehensive package of climate change initiatives for the forestry sector. Other measures that will assist the forestry sector include the Permanent Forest Sink Initiative (PFSI), Afforestation Grant Scheme (AGS) and East Coast Forestry Project (ECFP). This flowchart shows how the sustainable forestry schemes fit together.
  • Illegal seed importer fined
    18 April 2008
    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.
  • Horse imports from Australia resume
    17 April 2008
    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.
  • MAF Policy News - Issue 9
    17 April 2008
    Read the latest news from the agriculture and forestry sectors: New Zealand Fast Forward, Review of Raw Milk Regulations, Sheep Meat and Beef Sector study, New MAF Policy publications now available.
  • Farmer oblivious to pain and suffering of dehorned cattle
    15 April 2008
    A Marlborough farmer was sentenced today and must pay a fine of $6500, and was ordered to pay investigation and court costs of $715.60 in the Blenheim District Court for the illegal dehorning of his cattle.
  • Indicative Forest Sequestration Tables
    14 April 2008
    The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) has requested estimates of carbon stocks by stand age for various tree species and tending regimes on various sites. These carbon stock tables are intended to be used as illustrative examples of carbon sequestration through afforestation.
  • Projected Impacts of the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme at the Farm Level [80KB PDF]
    9 April 2008
    This paper summarises the results of a range of analyses carried out by MAF on the potential impacts of the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZETS) at the individual farm level. The purpose of these analyses is to inform the policy process and indicate how typical farms of varying types could be financially affected by the NZETS.
  • Review of the Dairy Industry Restructuring (Raw Milk) Regulations: Options for addressing industry concerns
    8 April 2008
    The Review of the Raw Milk Regulations has provided a timely and useful opportunity to re-examine the principles behind the Raw Milk Regulations and allowed, where necessary, additional analysis to take place.
  • Dairy farmer obstructs MAF inspector
    7 April 2008
    The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) Animal Welfare Investigation Team welcomed the conviction handed down in the Palmerston North District Court last week for the obstruction and hindering of an animal welfare inspector whilst performing his duties.
  • Annual Forestry Employment statistics
    April 2008
    Annual statistics showing Employment in Forestry and first-stage processing as at February 2008. Employment in forestry and first-stage processing decreased in every wood supply region between February 2002 and 2007.

Previous "What's New" Pages:

2008
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June |

2007
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |

2006
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |

2005
| Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |

2004
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |

Contact for Enquiries

MAF Communications
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Pastoral House
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PO Box 2526, Wellington

Tel: +64 4 894 0100
Fax: +64 4 894 0300
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