Category: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

A Northland beef cattle farmer has been fined $30,000 for failing to provide adequate feed for nearly 400 animals.

Jeffrey Allan Wood (69) pleaded guilty to 6 charges under the Animal Welfare Act and was sentenced yesterday in the Whangārei District Court, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

MPI animal welfare inspectors found 387 cattle in poor physical health because of a chronic lack of grass, and a lack of supplementary feed, says MPI acting national manager of animal welfare and NAIT compliance, Brendon Mikkelsen.

“Most farmers do the right thing and Mr Wood is an experienced farmer and knew what he needed to do to feed and provide for the welfare of his animals.”

“These animals were thin and fell well below meeting the standard of the Sheep and Beef Cattle Code of Welfare.”

Following a complaint from a veterinarian in July 2020, MPI sent animal welfare inspectors to Mr Wood’s Ruawai farm to inspect his animals, through a series of visits until October 2020.

In total 840 of his animals were examined. Some animals were affected by bad diarrhoea and emaciated. In one case, when Mr Wood was directed to euthanise a severely lame young bull to mitigate its suffering, MPI found it still had not been done a week later, which Mr Wood claimed was because he could not find the animal.

“These animals were suffering, and Mr Wood’s delayed action prolonged their suffering. He failed to meet the physical, health and behavioural needs of these animals. When we find evidence that animal welfare has been neglected, if appropriate – we will place the matter before the Court,” says Brendon Mikkelsen.

Along with the fine, Mr Wood was also ordered to pay $2834.80 in veterinarian expenses and $6057.97 in farmer consultant fees.

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.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Six scholarships will be offered to students studying agriculture and horticulture at Massey and Lincoln universities to help boost the number of advisers providing on-the-ground support to farmers and growers.

“Farmers, growers, and whenua Māori owners are operating in an increasingly complex environment. These new scholarships will help grow the advisory sector’s ability to provide specialised on-the-ground support and advice,” says the Ministry for Primary Industries’ director of On Farm Support John Roche.

“Six scholarships, worth $5,000 each, are on offer for the 2024 academic year to students enrolled in relevant 3or 4-year degree courses.

“We’re seeking applications from students with a genuine interest in joining the agricultural and horticultural advisory sectors.

“These scholarships are one of the initiatives being implemented by MPI to grow the capacity and capability of the primary industry advisory sector.

“That includes the Careers Pathway Scheme, which is already providing financial support to independent advisory companies and whenua Māori entities to hire and train new primary industry advisers.”

Massey and Lincoln are the 2 highest-ranked universities for the primary industries in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“The scholarship programme will help build on our strong reputation for producing skilled graduates who are well-equipped to contribute to the success of New Zealand’s food and fibre sector,” says Lincoln University’s deputy vice-chancellor student life Damian Lodge.

“The scholarships will ease some of the financial pressure students face while they are studying full-time.”

Successful applicants will also receive mentoring and development opportunities from MPI.

“I’m sure many of our students will take up this exciting opportunity, with the long-term aim to follow this critical career pathway,” says Massey University’s head of agriculture Professor Paul Kenyon.

“Farm advisers provide a crucial support to farmers to improve business performance, both economically and environmentally.

“The profession is a rewarding split between boots on the ground out in an orchard or paddock and office-related tasks such as preparing budgets, reports, or advice.”

Applications for the MPI On Farm Support Science Scholarships open on 11 October 2023 and close on 22 November 2023.

Successful recipients will be chosen by an evaluation panel made up of representatives from across MPI.

Further information, including how to apply, is available on MPI’s website.

On Farm Support science scholarships

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Have your say

From 10 October 2023 to 24 October 2023 the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invites comment on proposed changes to the Import Health Standard Shelf-stable Petfoods Containing Animal Products. We are proposing to add processed poultry products for further processing into dog or cat food in New Zealand (see clause 7.12 of the draft import health standard).

No other commodities in this import health standard are being consulted.

Full details of the proposed changes are in the consultation documents.

Consultation documents

Draft Import Health Standard: Shelf-stable Petfoods Containing Animal Products [PDF, 455 KB]

Risk Management Proposal: Shelf-stable Petfoods Containing Animal Products [PDF, 230 KB]

Related document

World Trade Organization notification [PDF, 104 KB]

Making your submission

Email your feedback on the draft before 5pm on 24 October 2023 to animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz

Make sure you include in your submission:

• the title of the consultation document in the subject line of your email
• your name and title, if applicable
• your organisation’s name (if you’re submitting on behalf of an organisation)
• your contact details (for example, phone number, address, and email).

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

Animal Imports
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand.

All submissions received by the closing date will be considered before the amended import health standard (IHS) is issued. MPI may hold late submissions on file for consideration when the issued IHS is next revised or reviewed.

Steps to finalising the new IHS

After consultation on a draft import health standard, MPI publishes a provisional IHS.

If you made a submission during the consultation, you have 10 working days to notify the director-general of MPI that you intend to request an independent review. Reviews are limited to whether specific scientific evidence was given sufficient consideration.

If no review is requested within 10 working days, then the provisional IHS is confirmed and the final IHS is issued.

For more information about reviews refer to Section 24 of the Biosecurity Act 1993.

Section 24 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 – NZ Legislation

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

Legal background

MPI must consult with interested parties in accordance with section 23 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) and MPI’s consultation policy before issuing or amending (other than of minor or urgent nature) import health standards (IHS) under sections 24A and 24B of the Act.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Biosecurity New Zealand thanks our staff and travellers for their help during the successful trial of an improved way to screen international arrivals at Auckland Airport over the school holidays. 

“We want to thank our officers for their hard work,” says Mike Inglis, northern regional commissioner, Biosecurity New Zealand.

“They have done a great job and continue to play an invaluable role in protecting New Zealand’s environment and primary exports while helping passengers when they arrive. 

“They have shown professionalism and commitment in stepping up to address pressures on the international travel and border system both during and following the pandemic. 

“We also want to thank travellers for their positive feedback and support in keeping New Zealand free of pests and diseases, which protects the vital work of farmers and growers,” says Mr Inglis.

The average biosecurity processing time for arriving passengers was close to 9 minutes during the busy holiday period.

“The result continues a downward trend that has seen processing time drop from a high of 13.16 minutes in February. 

“We are committed to working further with partner organisations, including the Public Service Association and Border Ops Association, Customs, airlines, and the airport, to introduce innovative border processing system improvements while maintaining strong biosecurity practices.”

As part of our recent work, Biosecurity New Zealand redeployed 20 officers from other parts of the ministry to assist during the school holidays. 

Biosecurity New Zealand also introduced a new way of processing low-risk passengers who have nothing to declare. The approach uses declaration information to select and risk-assess travellers after they pass through customs checks. Eligible passengers are then directed to the biosecurity express lane through a monitored door.

“We’re allowing low-risk travellers to exit biosecurity without going through baggage x-ray screening. The new approach allows eligible travellers to enter the lane without passing through our normal control area.”

Biosecurity New Zealand trialled the approach during the first week of the holidays. It was then used during peak arrival times for the remainder of the holiday period. More than 17,000 travellers went through the new process between 28 September and 8 October.

“The new approach, alongside the extra staffing, was successful in reducing pressure on the border system and decreasing biosecurity processing time. We have now embedded the improvements into our clearance procedures. 

“Importantly, the approach does not undermine biosecurity. Selected low-risk passengers still undergo risk assessment by officers, screening by detector dogs, and other biosecurity checks. 

Nationwide, Biosecurity New Zealand processed 489,894 arriving passengers in September, compared to 459,122 in August. During the 2-week holiday, biosecurity officers issued 163 fines of $400 to air passengers who failed to declare goods that could bring pests or diseases into New Zealand. 

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

A group of recreational fishers caught with a total of 348 fish, including more than 9 times their collective daily limit for snapper, has been fined $10,500.

The 5 fishers – Tai ah You (46), Laupagigi Tupua Siliva (69), Lameta Kasiano (49), Metai Fialelei Lotoa (58), and Avia Amosa (55) – went fishing in May 2022 in the Hauraki Gulf and caught 317 snapper. The daily limit for snapper per person is 7.

The group also had 19 kahawai, 2 John Dory, 2 gurnard, 6 jack mackerel, 1 kingfish and 1 blue mackerel, which they caught around the Noises islands in the Hauraki Gulf. The group had its catch inspected by Fisheries New Zealand fishery officers at the popular Half Moon Bay boat ramp.

The inspection revealed 7 large chilly bins filled with fish. At least 2 of the 5 fishers knew the size and daily limit for snapper, and there was also a fish measurer on board their fishing vessel.

They all pleaded guilty to charges under the Fisheries Act and were all sentenced in the Manukau District Court yesterday (5 October).

Tai ah You, who was skipper of their fishing vessel, was fined $2,500. The other 4 fishers were each fined $2,000.

“The rules are there for a reason – to protect fishing resources for everyone. This was a lot of fish, and 95 of the snapper were undersize. Some of the group said they knew the rules and others didn’t,” says MPI regional manager Fisheries Compliance, Andre Espinoza.

“We would strongly encourage people to download the free NZ Fishing Rules mobile app which will provide you with the latest rules at your fingertips. If you follow the rules, you’ll be doing your bit for sustainability and avoiding a large fine.”

Along with the fines, the group’s vessel and trailer was forfeited to the Crown, along with a range of fishing equipment and chilly bins. The Court ordered Tai ah You to pay a redemption fee of $5,248 before the end of November.

Fisheries New Zealand encourages fishing industry operators and non-commercial fishers to report any suspected illegal activity through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ 0800 4 POACHER line (0800 47 62 24).

Find out more about the NZ Fishing Rules app

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Your views sought

Pursuant to section 186B of the Fisheries Act 1996, Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio has requested a further 1-year temporary closure of the pāua fishery for:

• Popotai Taumaka (Open Bay Islands)
• Ōkahu (Jackson Bay).

In July 2023, the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries declared the Popotai Taumaka (Open Bay Islands) and Ōkahu areas as mātaitai reserves. Further temporary closures are being requested to protect the pāua fisheries in these areas until bylaws can be established.

Fisheries New Zealand invites written submissions on the requests from persons who have an interest in the stock concerned or in the effects of fishing in the areas concerned.

Area of the proposed Popotai Taumaka (Open Bay Islands) temporary closure

All that area of South Island fisheries waters enclosed by a line of which every point is 1km from the mean high-water mark of the Open Bay Islands. The fisheries waters around Bignell Reef are included in the proposed area. It is approximately 5.7 square kilometres and approximately 4.3km offshore from the mainland.  

Map of the proposed Popotai Taumaka temporary closure [PDF, 13 MB]

The application for the temporary closure at Popotai Taumaka [PDF, 152 KB]

Area of the proposed Ōkahu (Jackson Bay) temporary closure

The approximate area of the proposed temporary closure extends from Homminy Point to Neil’s Beach, and includes Homminy Cove, Smoothwater Bay, Jackson Head, and Ōkahu/Jackson Bay.

All that South Island fisheries waters enclosed by a line:

1. starting at a point on the mean high-water mark at Homminy Point (at 43°58.447′S and 168°34.065′E), then
2. proceeding in a straight line in a northerly direction for approximately 725m to a point offshore (at 43°58.057′S and 168°34.025′E), then
3. proceeding in a straight line in a north-easterly direction to a point offshore approximately 675m to the north of Jackson Head (at 43°57.216′S and 168°37.601′E), then
4. proceeding in a straight line in a south-easterly direction to a point on the mean high-water mark at Neil’s Beach (at 43°59.742′S and 168°39.457′E), then
5. proceeding along the mean high-water mark in a generally north-westerly direction to the starting point.

The proposed area is approximately 10.6 square kilometres with an approximate 14.8km coastline.  

Map of the proposed Ōkahu temporary closure [PDF, 1.6 MB]

The application for the temporary closure at Ōkahu [PDF, 197 KB]

Making your submission

Submissions close at 5pm on Monday, 30 October 2023.

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 about this consultation

A public notice calling for submissions on the proposed further closures at Popotai Taumaka (Open Bay Islands) and Ōkahu (Jackson Bay) was placed in the following publications.

• Hokitika Guardian on Monday, 2 October 2023
• Greymouth Star on Monday, 2 October 2023
• Otago Daily Times on Monday, 2 October 2023
• West Coast Messenger on Wednesday, 4 October 2023

Information about temporary closures

Find out about the ways customary fishing is managed

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

A Pukekohe deer farmer has been fined $12,000 for not tagging 278 animals under the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) scheme.

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.

Lester Harrison Nixon (73) was sentenced today in the Papakura District Court on 2 charges under the National Animal Identification and Tracing Act, following a successful prosecution by Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). He has 3 properties registered in the NAIT database.

“NAIT tags are there to track and trace animals. They play a critical role in helping to ensure we can respond quickly and accurately in the event of a biosecurity incursion. When people in charge of animals disregard their NAIT obligations they put the whole agricultural sector at risk,” says MPI acting national manager Animal Welfare and NAIT compliance, Brendon Mikkelsen.

MPI made inquiries with Mr Nixon about outstanding animal movements on his NAIT account in 2021.

“We found Mr Nixon had made little effort to comply with the NAIT system, advising us that he does not tag his deer until just before they’re transported. He said he does not register the tags and that he had farmed for over 30 years without it (NAIT).”

During a search of one of his properties where he had NAIT animals grazing, MPI found 132 deer not fitted with a NAIT tag and at another of Mr Nixon’s properties, a further 146 deer were also not fitted with tags.

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 Mikkelsen 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 Brendon Mikkelsen.

Further details on the NAIT system – OSPRI

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is advising the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from part of Queen Charlotte Sound due to the possible presence of toxins.

“Routine tests on mussel samples taken from Okiwa Bay (The Grove) have shown levels of diarrhetic shellfish toxins more than 3.5 times the safe limit,” says New Zealand Food Safety specialist adviser Piers Harrison.

“The warning extends from The Grove up to a line from Dieffenbach Point across to West Head in the Marlborough Sounds.

“Please do not gather and eat shellfish from this area because anyone doing so is potentially at risk of getting sick.

“Cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxin, so mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles, scallops, catseyes, kina (sea urchin) and all other bivalve shellfish from this area should not be eaten.”

See a map of the warning

Pāua, crab, and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed, its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.

Symptoms of diarrhetic shellfish toxin poisoning typically appear within half an hour of ingestion and last for about 24 hours. Symptoms may include diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal cramps.

New Zealand Food Safety has had no notifications of associated illness.

If anyone becomes ill after eating shellfish from an area where a public health warning has been issued, phone Healthline for advice on 0800 61 11 16, or seek medical attention immediately. You are also advised to contact your nearest public health unit and keep any leftover shellfish in case it can be tested.

“As is our usual practice, monitoring of toxin levels will continue and any changes will be communicated accordingly,” says Mr Harrison.

Commercially harvested shellfish – sold in shops and supermarkets or exported – is subject to strict water and flesh monitoring programmes by New Zealand Food Safety to ensure they are safe to eat.

Find out more

See signage in the affected area.

Shellfish biotoxin alerts

Subscribe to shellfish biotoxins to receive email alerts

Collecting shellfish and keeping them safe [PDF, 1.4 MB]

Causes and symptoms of toxic shellfish poisoning

About toxic algal blooms

Food safety for seafood gatherers booklet [PDF, 688 KB]

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Temporary biosecurity rules are being introduced for Lake Ōkataina in the Bay of Plenty as part of a precautionary and balanced approach to reducing risk of spread from the freshwater gold clam.

The lake is being closed for a month, from 1 to 31 October to boating and fishing, through a mechanism called a Controlled Area Notice (CAN) under the Biosecurity Act.

“While the clam has not been found outside of a 99km stretch of the Waikato River, the temporary CAN is in response to a request from Ngāti Tarāwhai, while other options, including boat cleaning stations, are put in place,” says Biosecurity New Zealand deputy director-general Stuart Anderson.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council supports the decision to put a CAN in place to reduce the risk of a biosecurity incursion in the region.

“Lake Ōkataina holds special cultural significance to Ngāti Tarāwhai because it contains a drowned pa site and other submerged Māori archaeological features. It is also a popular trout fishing lake and its popularity with fishers, many who travel from Waikato, makes it vulnerable. It is also a lake of high ecological value, and these features are recognised by certain restrictions already placed on some lake uses,” says Mr Anderson.

“Biosecurity New Zealand is taking a cautious and balanced approach to managing this clam that allows people to enjoy our lakes and rivers while protecting them from this invasive shellfish.”

Over the temporary closure period, boat cleaning facilities will be installed to provide assurance that boats entering the lake are free of freshwater gold clams.

Cleaning stations will also be installed in the Waikato to help river and lake users meet Check Clean Dry requirements. The first station should be in place in about 3  weeks at Lake Karāpiro and options are being worked through to put cleaning stations at all major boat ramps.

“We appreciate people want to get on Lake Ōkataina at the start of the trout fishing season, but a small sacrifice this month goes a long way towards preserving it for generations to come,” says Mr Anderson.

“Once we have the facilities to ensure all boats coming into the lake are clam-free, the lake will be open to enjoy for the remainder of the season.”

The CAN prohibits the movement of boats and other watercraft and fishing equipment – including rods, waders and nets – into the lake. The lake can still be enjoyed for other activities such as walking on the shore, picnics and swimming.

People who have a need to continue using boats in the lake during the period can apply for a special permit.

“We continue to work with all parties to protect our freshwater environment from this clam,” said Mr Anderson.

“We have completed extensive surveillance of the Waikato River and its wider catchment we have also undertaken surveillance at six national sites so far, with no positive results. We are planning, with regional councils, to carry out surveillance at approximately 80 further sites.

“Surveillance of a number of waterways around Rotorua undertaken by Te Arawa Lakes Trust and Bay of Plenty Regional Council has also found no evidence of the clam.

“We are also planning to run trials to determine the feasibility of suppressing the clam population in the Waikato River and these should be underway by November. 

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Biosecurity New Zealand has bolstered its border force at Auckland Airport in preparation for the upcoming school holidays.

Twenty extra staff will be redeployed to work at the airport over the holiday period, says Mike Inglis, northern regional commissioner, Biosecurity New Zealand.

“We have already bolstered staff since the weekend and will be further boosting numbers from today.”

Biosecurity New Zealand has been working with airports and other border agencies to prepare for the holidays, says Mr Inglis.

“Biosecurity is just one part of the arrival process and is at the end of that system, which includes disembarking, baggage collection, and passport checking. Factors such as more flights arriving late or early contribute to queue congestion because very large numbers of people enter the arrivals system at the same time. That’s why taking a system-wide approach to improving the arrivals process is important.”

He says recent initiatives by Biosecurity New Zealand to streamline passenger flows include establishing express lanes for arriving international passengers assessed as low biosecurity risk.

“We want to get lower-risk passengers through the biosecurity process as quickly as possible. To this end, we are running trials this weekend that will use information from digital declarations to identify low-risk air passengers before they arrive at the biosecurity area. This information will be used to direct eligible passengers to a special area for processing.

“As the airport undertakes new construction to provide a better arrival experience we face some space restrictions, but we are making adjustments where possible.”

Biosecurity New Zealand is also continuing to introduce new quarantine officers to increase capacity and speed up processing at the border. 

“Last year, 64 new officers started nationwide, with 46 based in Auckland. So far, 81 new officers have started this year, with 56 based in Auckland. We have another recruitment round planned for November, with training for the new recruits due to start in February.

“Our officers work extremely hard to protect New Zealand’s primary sector, which earned a record $57.4 billion in export earnings for the year to June.

“We’re focused on stopping pests and diseases like the brown marmorated stink bug, fruit flies, and foot and mouth disease from entering New Zealand. These pose a direct threat to our hard-working growers and farmers, who underpin rural communities and our economic well-being.”

Biosecurity New Zealand seized 6,901 biosecurity risk goods in August, including fruit, vegetables, meat, and used equipment. Officers issued 608 fines of $400 to passengers who failed to declare goods that could bring pests or diseases into New Zealand.

“We ask international travellers to be understanding of the need to protect New Zealand and our economy from biosecurity threats as they get their bags checked or are required to answer questions from our officers.

“We also ask travellers to carefully consider what they bring into New Zealand. Anyone who brings biosecurity risk items may take longer to process.”

Other things travellers can do to speed up the process include:

• Filling out your passenger arrival card or digital declaration correctly so officers can efficiently and accurately assess biosecurity risk.
• Declaring all risk items – like food, plants, wooden products, soil, water, outdoor equipment, and animal products so officers can assess and prevent any pests or diseases entering New Zealand.
• Dispose of undeclared risk goods in marked amnesty bins on arrival to avoid being searched or fined. This material is safely disposed of to remove biosecurity risk. 
• Families or groups should stay together to help with efficient processing.