Category: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is directing a recall of all raw fruit juice from Our Fruit Box or OFB and is advising people not to consume the product.

“This raw fruit juice presents a food safety risk because it has not been through the required checks and balances to make sure it is safe to consume,” says New Zealand Food Safety’s deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

“The company making these juices has not been registered under the Food Act, so consumers cannot be certain that risks have been properly identified and managed.

“The product is a raw fruit juice and for that reason food safety controls are crucial. Without proper controls during processing of food, pathogens can enter the product.

“Pathogens such as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), Salmonella, Cryptosporidium and norovirus can be present in the juice, making it unsafe to consume, particularly for people who are young, older, pregnant or with weakened immune systems.”

The recalled raw juice has limited identifying labelling or branding and may be sold in 20 litre plastic containers labelled ‘OFB’ and in unlabelled bottles of different shapes and sizes.

Available information suggests the raw fruit juice has been available for sale through informal sellers, door-to-door through businesses, local markets and online on their website.

OFB – Our Fruit Box

“If you have bought this product – either labelled OFB or Our Fruit Box, or with limited or no identifying labelling or branding – do not consume it and throw it out,” says Mr Arbuckle.

“If you are unsure of whether an unlabelled product you have bought is OFB, ask the supplier.”

For more information and food safety advice, refer to the New Zealand Food Safety webpage:

Warning about Our Fruit Box raw fruit juices

If you have any concerns about these products, call MPI’s consumer helpline on 0800 00 83 33.

There have been no reports of associated illness to date.

If you have consumed this product and have any health concerns, seek medical advice. Contact your health professional or call Healthline on 0800 61 11 16.

For more information, email NZFoodSafety_media@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is supporting food company Matakana Smokehouse in its recall of a specific batch of 2 of its salmon products due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

Affected products are as follows:

• Matakana Smokehouse NZ brand Citrus Gravlax (variable sizes) – Use By 10-04-24
• Matakana Smokehouse NZ brand Kaffir Gravlax (variable sizes) – Use By 10-04-24

Gravlax is cured Salmon.

Up-to-date details of products affected by the recall, including photographs, are available on our food recall page.

Matakana Smokehouse NZ brand Citrus Gravlax and Kaffir Gravlax

“The concern with this product is that it may contain Listeria, a foodborne bacterium that can make you sick,” says New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) Deputy Director-General Vincent Arbuckle.

“Listeriosis infection can be serious among vulnerable groups, such as pregnant people and their unborn babies, newborns, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

“Listeria differs to other harmful bacteria in that it can grow at refrigerator temperatures, so you have to be very careful about the foods you eat, or provide to others, if you or they are in a vulnerable group.

“It is particularly dangerous during pregnancy because it can cause miscarriage, premature labour or stillbirth, and infection in the new-born baby.”

This product should not be eaten. It can be returned to the place of purchase for a refund. Should you be unable to do this, throw it out.

Infection in healthy adults is unlikely to be severe, at most causing mild diarrhoea and flu-like symptoms within a few days of eating contaminated food. For those in the vulnerable groups, it usually takes 2 to 3 weeks – or even longer – before symptoms appear.

If you have consumed any of these products and are concerned for your health, contact your health professional, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116.

The recalled product is being removed from shelves at stores.  The affected products are sold at the following stores:

• Stock Deli – Shop 7/11 Marina Road, Tutukaka, Northland
• Omaha Superette – 4/1 Matariki Street Omaha, Auckland
• IE Produce – 1 Barrys Point Road, Takapuna, Auckland

No export has occurred. 

Listeria monocytogenes was discovered as a result of routine testing. New Zealand Food Safety has not received any notification of associated illness.

“As is our usual practice, New Zealand Food Safety will be working with Matakana Smokehouse to understand how the contamination occurred and prevent its recurrence,” Mr Arbuckle said.

For more information, email: NZFoodSafety_media@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Biosecurity New Zealand has temporarily closed a small, contained water park in Taupō from tomorrow following the discovery of the invasive freshwater gold clam.

“After confirming the presence of the clam in the lagoon at Lake Taupō Aqua Park, Biosecurity New Zealand has worked with the operators of park around the temporary closure, and thank them for their cooperation,” says Biosecurity New Zealand director of readiness and response, John Walsh.

“We encourage anyone who has been at the aqua park in the past week to wash their togs and towels in hot water and thoroughly dry them for at least 48 hours before using them in any other river or lake.”

The freshwater gold clam was seen by Biosecurity New Zealand staff this week, who were inspecting the lagoon following a positive environmental DNA test.

Mr Walsh says the clam is contained to the lagoon.

“The lagoon at the Lake Taupō Aqua Park doesn’t discharge water into any other body of water, including Lake Taupō and the Waikato River,” says Mr Walsh.

“Because of this, the most likely way that clams could spread from the lagoon would be human activity, so temporarily closing the lagoon while we look at longer term options for dealing with the clams there is the best way to avoid this.

“We think the clam has likely been in the lagoon for 2 to 3 years.

“We’ve increased our surveillance in the surrounding area in response to this find, and so far there are no indications of the clam in any nearby waterways including the Waikato River and Lake Taupō.”

Biosecurity New Zealand has a national surveillance plan for the clam in place, with a primary focus of detecting any spread of the clam beyond its current known locations on the Waikato River and now, the Lake Taupō Aqua Park.  

More information about the clam and the biosecurity measures in place can be found on the Biosecurity New Zealand website.

Freshwater gold clam (Corbicula fluminea)

For more information please email BiosecurityNZ_media@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Your views sought

Ngā tāngata kaitiaki ō Te Hikutū (Te Hikutū Hapū) has applied for a mātaitai reserve (Te Mātaitai ō Te Hikutū) in the southern part of the Hokianga Harbour, Northland.

Te Hikutū Hapū and Fisheries New Zealand will hold a public meeting to discuss the application and invite submissions on the proposal from the local community.

This is the first of 2 consultations that will be held about the application.

Find out about the second consultation

What’s being proposed?

The proposed mātaitai includes a portion of the southern Hokianga Harbour, from near Koutu Point to north of the Whirinaki River mouth, and includes the waterways in the Waima Forest.

The proposed area is the same as the gazetted area/rohe moana of Te Hikutū Hapū.

Consultation documents

Map of proposed mātaitai [JPG, 12 MB]

Te Mataitai o Te Hikutu application [PDF, 9.3 MB]

Public meeting

As part of this consultation, a public meeting will be held to discuss the application. Details of the meeting will be posted on this page soon.

We’ll also put advertisements about the meetings in local newspapers.

Making your submission

Submissions close at 5pm on Monday 13 May 2024.

Email your submission to FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz

While we prefer email, you can post your submission to:

Fisheries management – spatial allocations
Fisheries New Zealand
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.

Public notices

Public notices notifying the local community that an application has been made and calling for submissions are scheduled to appear in the Northern Adovocate and Northland Age (28 March and 11 April).

Notices will also be placed in these papers about details of a public meeting to be held with the local community to discuss the application.

A second consultation is planned

Following this consultation, Fisheries New Zealand will hold a second consultation.

In the second consultation, we’ll invite submissions from people having a fishing interest in the stock or stocks in the proposed reserve.

We’ll advertise the second consultation in the same newspapers and on this website.

About mātaitai reserves

A mātaitai reserve is an identified traditional fishing ground which tangata whenua have a special relationship with. Mātaitai reserves are limited to fisheries waters and do not include any land area. Mātaitai reserves do not change any existing arrangements for access to private land.

Mātaitai reserves also do not affect private landowners’ land titles, or their ability to exercise resource consents for such things as taking water or extracting gravel or sand. Resource consents are managed under the Resource Management Act 1991.

Mātaitai reserves do not change the existing recreational fishing rules, however, commercial fishing is banned in a mātaitai reserve.

Mātaitai reserves do not have an impact on whitebait or trout fishing.

Find out more about mātaitai reserves

Fisheries (Kaimoana Customary Fishing) Regulations 1998 – NZ Legislation

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Have your say

Fisheries New Zealand is seeking your views on proposals to change the recreational daily bag limits for kina (Evechinus chloroticus and Centrostephanus rodgersii) in fisheries management area 1 (FMA 1).

These proposals are part of a package of measures to help address kina barrens (areas of the seafloor that have a lack of vegetation due to overgrazing by kina).

The current limits are set under the Fisheries (Amateur Fishing) Regulations 2013 and are specified in the Fisheries (Recreational Management Controls) Notice.

FMA 1 is an area defined in Schedule 1 of the Fisheries Act 1996. It covers the east coast of the North Island from North Cape down to Cape Runaway (Bay of Plenty).

This consultation opened on 26 March and closes at 5pm on 3 May 2024.

A summary of 3 proposed options is on this page and full details are in the consultation document.

What is being proposed?

Urchin barrens are areas on the seabed where sea urchins have multiplied in large numbers and consumed all the vegetation. This leads to a barren seafloor with a loss of habitat and biodiversity, impacting the overall health of coastal environments. Urchin barrens are prevalent in north-eastern New Zealand and pose significant ecological risks as they expand, leading to the degradation of marine ecosystems.

Fisheries New Zealand is adopting an integrated management approach to try to reduce the spread of these barren areas, recognising the urgent need for comprehensive action. This approach encompasses a suite of management initiatives aimed at restoring kelp forests and mitigating the adverse effects of urchin barrens. Adjusting recreational daily limits for kina is one of many tools in Fisheries New Zealand’s broader management efforts.

Three options are proposed for kina in FMA 1.

• Option 1: Status quo (retain the current daily limit of 50 kina per person per day).
• Option 2: Increase the daily limit from 50 to 100 kina per person per day.
• Option 3: Increase the daily limit from 50 to 150 kina per person per day.

Fisheries New Zealand would like to know your views and what option you support. Or whether you have an alternative option.

Consultation document

Proposed recreational daily limits for kina and Centrostephanus: FMA 1 [PDF, 725 KB]

Related consultation

Enabling the removal of sea urchins for the management or prevention of urchin barrens

Related information

Fisheries (Amateur Fishing) Regulations 2013 – NZ Legislation

Schedule 1 of the Fisheries Act 1996 – NZ Legislation

Recreational fishing rules

Fisheries (Recreational Management Controls) Notice

Media release: Minister calls for work to tackle kina barrens – Beehive

Making your submission

Fisheries New Zealand invites your feedback on the proposed options by 5pm on 3 May 2024.

A template is available to help you complete your submission.

Submission form template [DOCX, 74 KB]

Email your completed template and submission to FMsubmissions@mpi.govt.nz

While we prefer email, you can post written submissions to:

Fisheries Management
Fisheries New Zealand – MPI
17 Maurice Wilson Avenue
PO Box 53030
Auckland Airport 2022
New Zealand.

Following this consultation, we’ll give the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries advice and the submissions from the public to support final decisions on the recreational daily limit for kina in FMA 1.

What to include

Make sure your submission tells us:

• the title of the consultation document
• your title and full name
• your organisation’s name (if you are submitting on behalf of an organisation, and whether your submission represents the whole organisation or a section of it)
• your contact details (such as a phone number and email address).

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Have your say

Fisheries New Zealand is seeking your views on a proposal to introduce a new special permit purpose under section 97 of the Fisheries Act 1996. The special permit purpose would enable the removal of sea urchins for the management or prevention of urchin barrens (areas of the seafloor overgrazed by urchins).

The consultation opened on 26 March and closes at 5pm on 3 May 2024.

A summary of the proposal is on this page and full details are in the consultation document.

What is being proposed?

Urchin barrens are areas on the seabed where sea urchins have multiplied in large numbers and consumed all the vegetation. This leads to a barren seafloor with a loss of habitat and biodiversity, impacting the overall health of coastal environments. Urchin barrens are prevalent in north-eastern New Zealand and pose significant ecological risks as they expand, leading to the degradation of marine ecosystems.

Fisheries New Zealand is adopting an integrated management approach to try to stop the spread of these barren areas, recognising the urgent need for comprehensive action. This approach encompasses a suite of management initiatives aimed at restoring kelp forests and mitigating the adverse effects of urchin barrens. Introducing a new special permit purpose that focuses on restoration and prevention efforts to combat urchin barrens is one of many tools in Fisheries New Zealand’s broader management efforts.

Under the special permit framework set out in section 97 of the Fisheries Act, special permits can be issued for a range of purposes. The Minister of Oceans and Fisheries may also approve a new special permit purpose, following consultation.

Fisheries New Zealand is proposing the minister approve a new special permit purpose specifically to assist in managing and preventing urchin barren areas.

The proposed purpose is “to allow persons or organisations to harvest, cull, or translocate sea urchins for the purpose of habitat restoration and/or prevention of urchin barrens.”

Fisheries New Zealand would like to know your views and whether you support the introduction of this new special permit purpose.

Consultation document

Enabling the removal of sea urchins for the management or prevention of urchin barrens [PDF, 494 KB]

Related consultation

Review of the recreational daily kina limit in fishery management area 1

Related information

Section 97 of the Fisheries Act 1996 – NZ Legislation

Making your submission

Fisheries New Zealand invites your feedback on the proposed new special permit purpose by 5pm on 3 May 2024.

A template is available to help you complete your submission.

Submission form template [DOCX, 74 KB]

Email your completed template and submission to FMsubmissions@mpi.govt.nz

While we prefer email, you can post written submissions to:

Fisheries Management
Fisheries New Zealand – MPI
17 Maurice Wilson Avenue
PO Box 53030
Auckland Airport 2022
New Zealand.

Following this consultation, we’ll give the minister advice and submissions from the public to support final decisions on this consultation.

What to include

Make sure your submission tells us:

• the title of the consultation document
• your title and full name
• your organisation’s name (if you are submitting on behalf of an organisation, and whether your submission represents the whole organisation or a section of it)
• your contact details (such as a phone number and email address).

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Feedback from the public is being sought on 2 proposed measures to help address kina barrens and rebalance local ecosystems, says Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Shane Jones.

“Kina barrens are a concern for iwi, local communities, and recreational fishers in Northland, as they are a major threat to biodiversity,” said Mr Jones.

“I have instructed my officials at Fisheries New Zealand to begin public consultation on measures to address kina barrens.”

Kina barrens are areas of rocky reef where healthy kelp forests have been consumed by an excess of kina to form a bare, or barren, space, making it uninviting to other marine life.

The proposals include a new special permit for targeted culling, harvest, or translocation of kina and long-spined sea urchins, and options to increase recreational daily bag limits for kina in the Auckland East Fisheries Management Area.

The proposed special permit would allow the removal of kina and long-spined sea urchins from areas where there are already kina barrens or areas that are at risk of forming new barrens. Special permits would also enable kina to be moved to other areas with low kina density to improve their food value, or to be used in aquaculture projects.

The proposed increase to the daily bag limit would affect the Auckland East Fisheries Management Area, which covers the east coast of Northland, the Hauraki Gulf, Coromandel, and Bay of Plenty. The current daily bag limit for kina is 50 per fisher. Proposed options are to increase this limit to 100 or 150 kina per fisher per day.

“Kina barrens occur in other regions of New Zealand, however they are most commonly found in Northland. Raising the daily bag limit for this area means that locals can help deal with kina barrens by taking more kina, and benefiting from the overabundance of this kaimoana.”

“These measures aren’t a silver bullet for kina barrens, what they will do is empower the communities most impacted by kina barrens, including tangata whenua, to play an important role in fixing the issue by removing unwanted kina. I also see an opportunity for younger people to get involved and learn about their local marine ecosystem and take part in restoring and preserving its ongoing health.”

“The consultation is open now, I’m interested in hearing from any members of the public with an interest in the issue.”

Once consultation closes, Fisheries New Zealand will analyse the submissions and provide advice to Mr Jones for consideration.

Submissions can be made online until 5pm on 3 May 2024.

More information, including how to make a submission:

Recreational bag limit for kina in Auckland Fisheries Management Area consultation

Special permit for removal of kina and long-spined sea urchins consultation

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

A Lake Tekapo farmer who failed to register 295 deer into the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) scheme has been fined $13,750.

Under the system all cattle or deer must be fitted with a NAIT tag and registered in the NAIT system by the time the animal is 180 days old, or before the animal is moved off farm.

John Wheeler (60) was sentenced in the Timaru District Court on 4 charges under the NAIT Act.

“Mr Wheeler’s animals were not registered into the NAIT system as required when they were moved off farm. We take this seriously because the scheme provides a critical tool in the fight against biosecurity incursions,” says MPI regional manager of animal welfare and NAIT compliance, Murray Pridham.

“The scheme helps us track and trace animals so we can respond quickly and accurately when we need to. Put simply, when people in charge of animals disregard their NAIT obligations they put the whole agricultural sector at risk.”

NAIT records showed the 295 deer had been tagged but remained unregistered between May 2021 and June 2022.

In November 2021, he was educated by an MPI NAIT officer on his obligations and how to meet them, but records show no animals were registered after that meeting even though Mr Wheeler confirmed he knew what to do for his NAIT animals.

In 2019, penalties in the NAIT Act increased tenfold to $100,000 for an individual, and up to $200,000 for a body corporate. 

Mr Pridham says while receiving one of these penalties could hurt the bottom line for people in charge of animals, the inability to trace animals can have far reaching and serious consequences for everyone.

“The NAIT tag and registration system is only as effective as the information entered in. If you are unsure about what you need to do, reach out. There is plenty of information, advice and support available,” says Murray Pridham.

More information, advice and support – OSPRI

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

A Waikato cattle farming family have been fined $23,000 for failing to provide sufficient food and care for their animals, resulting in more than half a dozen animal deaths.

Shane Ross Quigley (49), Colin Ross Quigley (75) and Margaret Heather Quigley (72) were this week (19/3/24) sentenced on 4 charges under the Animal Welfare Act in the Morrinsville District Court, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

Shane Quigley was fined $13,000, while Colin Quigley was fined $7,000 and Margaret Quigley, $3,000. Shane and Colin were also ordered to pay $4,058 in veterinarian costs, sought by MPI.

Colin and Shane Quigley were also disqualified from being in charge of more than 100 bovine cattle over the age of 6 months and 30 cattle under the age of 6 months. They will also need to employ a farm consultant to carry out visits every 4 to 6 weeks. 

Between July and August 2022, animal welfare inspectors and a veterinarian inspected the cattle at the Quigley’s 26-hectare Matamata farm, resulting in charges being laid.

“We found the Quigleys were raising about 158 mixed breed and 21 Limousin cattle, which was above the appropriate stocking rate for the feed available at their farm,” says MPI acting regional manager, animal welfare and NAIT compliance, Bianca Upton.

“Seven dead cows were discovered on the property, and the grass cover for grazing animals was minimal. They were also providing low-quality supplementary feed – some of it mouldy and rotten.

“Most farmers do the right thing for their animals, but the Quigleys were not living up to their welfare obligations and more of these animals were at a high risk of dying from starvation.”

Shane Quigley was in charge of the animals between 1 March and 7 July 2022. Due to an injury, his parents, Colin and Margaret Quigley, who own the farm and cattle, took over responsibility for the animals until 4 August 2022.

During the first visit by MPI, 39 cattle were visually assessed as being emaciated and the Quigleys were issued a legal notice of direction to immediately address these animal welfare issues.

A further inspection found a young bull, a Limousin cow and a young heifer were in serious need of veterinary care because of conditions such as worms and emaciation. All three animals were euthanised due to their poor health.

“Our veterinarian assessed that it would have taken a number of months for these animals to have built up to the level of worm burden they were suffering from.

“These animal deaths were preventable if the Quigleys had been meeting their animal welfare responsibilities” says Bianca Upton.

MPI strongly encourages any member of the public who is aware of animal ill treatment or cruelty to report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone 0800 00 83 33.

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Have your say

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is proposing to create a new animal products notice. The proposed notice would allow exporters of day-old chicks and hatching eggs to establish a biosecure compartment which can be certified to be free from particular diseases. The notice is called Regulated Control Scheme – Production of day-old chicks and hatching eggs within a compartment for export.

Your feedback about the proposed notice is welcome. Submissions opened on 12 March and close on 22 April 2024.

Consultation documents

Discussion paper: Production of day-old chicks and hatching eggs within a compartment for export [PDF, 315 KB]

Draft Animal Products Notice: Regulated Control Scheme – Production of day-old chicks and hatching eggs within a compartment for export [PDF, 635 KB]

What is being proposed?

This proposed notice would issue export requirements and impose a Regulated Control Scheme under the Animal Products Act 1999 on companies choosing to take part in the scheme to administer and provide oversight of listed compartments.

A compartment is a subpopulation with a specific health status. In this case, poultry companies involved in the production of hatching eggs and day-old chicks for export would independently establish a compartment around the part of their company involved with production of hatching eggs and day-old chicks for export.

The compartments would be targeting any or all of these diseases:

• avian influenza
• Newcastle disease
• specified Salmonella serovars (Pullorum and Gallinarum).

It is possible additional diseases will be added later.

The proposed Regulated Control Scheme would include measures related to:

• listing of compartments
• requirement for a documented biosecurity management plan
• physical, spatial, and infrastructural requirements
• traceability and movement control requirements
• sanitisation and hygiene requirements
• verification requirements
• disease-specific monitoring and surveillance requirements
• requirements for independent evaluators of biosecurity management systems.

Full details are in the consultation documents.

Making your submission

Email your feedback on the new notice by 5pm on 22 April 2024 to AnimalExports@mpi.govt.nz

Written submissions must be received by MPI before the deadline and can be posted to:

Manager Animal Health and Exports
Animal Health and Welfare Directorate
Agriculture and Investment Services
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington, 6140.

What to include

Make sure you tell us in your submission:

• the title of the consultation document
• your name and title
• your organisation’s name (if you are submitting on behalf of an organisation, and whether your submission represents the whole organisation or a section of it)
• your contact details (such as phone number, address, and email).