Category: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) is supporting World AMR Awareness Week – which begins today – and you too can do your part.

“AMR or antimicrobial resistance is a global health and development threat, with the World Health Organization declaring that AMR is one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity,” says NZFS deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

“AMR is what happens when germs develop the ability to resist the medicines designed to kill them, which can happen due to misuse and overuse of antimicrobials. So, the more we can reduce our use of antibiotics, the more effective they will remain for us for generations to come.”

To help tackle this challenge, NZFS works with the veterinary and primary industry sectors to promote careful use of antibiotics and encourage infection-prevention strategies, such as good hygiene and vaccination.

“We undertake a range of surveillance and monitoring activities, which include auditing the sectors and the sale of antibiotics. The most recent report shows that sale of antibiotics used in animals and plants is down for the sixth year running,” says Mr Arbuckle.

Sales of antibiotics used in animals and plants down for sixth year in a row

“That’s an encouraging sign, but there is more to do, and it will take a co-ordinated effort to reduce the threat. As part of this, we work closely with Ministry of Health and international regulators in an effort to manage AMR.”

This year, NZFS published the New Zealand Animal and Plant Sectors’ AMR Implementation Plan to underpin joint work being undertaken to implement a refreshed National AMR strategy.

New Zealand Animal and Plant Sectors’ Antimicrobial Resistance Implementation Plan [PDF, 552 KB]

“While the use of veterinary antibiotics in NZ is low compared with other countries, the continued vigilance of veterinarians, farmers and other industry stakeholders, as well as our ongoing monitoring and support, are all vital to minimise the incidence of AMR,” says Mr Arbuckle.

If you have pets, or animals on a lifestyle block or farm, there are things you can do to join the fight against AMR:

• Always follow your vet’s instructions when your animal needs antibiotics and ask for help if you are having trouble giving them. Finish the course, don’t save unused antibiotics for next time.
• Vaccinating animals helps prevent disease and reduces the need for antibiotics, decreasing the risk of AMR developing.

This year’s theme for World AMR Awareness Week is: “Educate. Advocate. Act Now.”

“We’re all in this together, so we will keep educating and advocating – and we hope you will help us ‘act now’,” says Mr Arbuckle.

Find out more

Videos

For further information and general enquiries, email info@mpi.govt.nz

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

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Fisheries New Zealand is seeking feedback on a proposal aimed at reducing fishing pressure on blue cod in the Marlborough Sounds, as well as a range of other potential measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of the popular fishery.

“We’re considering a range of options and management tools to address overfishing and increase abundance of blue cod in the Marlborough Sounds,” says Emma Taylor, director fisheries management.

“The area sees very high levels of fishing effort, particularly in the holiday period, which, when combined with other factors such as sedimentation and marine heatwaves, is affecting the health of the fishery. This is despite catch limit reductions and other changes over the past decade.”

Following a 2021 potting survey which indicated that the amount of fishing in the area was significantly higher than can be sustainably supported by the fishery, the commercial catch limit (TACC) for Marlborough Sounds blue cod was reduced.

An advisory group of tangata whenua, fishers, and local residents was also formed to identify measures to reduce fishing pressure and increase abundance in the fishery. The group met throughout 2023 and identified several potential measures to improve sustainability and abundance for the fishery.

We are now seeking public feedback on a proposal to extend the seasonal closure, which currently runs from 1 September to 19 December 2024. If approved, the new season would apply from the end of 2025 onwards.

We are also seeking public input on a range of wider measures for future implementation identified by the group, such as:

• closure of spawning areas to fishing to rebuild spawning populations
• reduction of the combined daily bag limit for finfish in the area
• options to increase information on recreational fishing, such as voluntary catch reporting
• an educational campaign to improve fishing practices
• tools to mitigate release mortality.

“Marlborough Sounds blue cod are a taonga, and iconic for many Kiwis. We want to hear from fishers, tangata whenua, the local community, and anyone else with an interest in the fishery,” says Emma Taylor.

Submissions can be made online or by mail until 5pm on 1 December 2024.

More information, including on how to make a submission

There will be 2 public drop-in information sessions to present information and assist with making submissions:

• Tasman Bay Cruising Club in Nelson/Whakatū on Tuesday 12 November 2024 (4.30pm to 7.30pm)
• Queen Charlotte Yacht Club in Picton/Waitohi on Thursday 14 November 2024 (4.30pm to 7.30pm).

For further information and general enquiries, email info@mpi.govt.nz

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

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

A Palmerston North sheep farmer has been disqualified indefinitely from being in charge of animals and fined $13,000 for failing to treat flystrike and meet welfare needs of hundreds of sheep.

Alasdair Donald Currie (65) was sentenced in the Palmerston District Court on 6 charges yesterday (15 October) under the Animal Welfare Act, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

Following a complaint in February 2023, MPI sent an animal welfare inspector and a veterinarian to the farm to inspect his animals. They found some sheep recumbent or dead and others affected by fly strike – 2 of them had to be euthanised.

The farmer was directed to muster all sheep and to take action to address a range of animal welfare issues, including shearing all woolly ewes to prevent flystrike. In April an animal welfare inspector and veterinarian returned to the farm and found Mr Currie had failed to effectively address the flystrike. Some sheep were still in full wool and a total of 48 sheep had either died or had to be euthanised.

“Overall, 118 sheep were found to be affected by flystrike out of a mob of about 450. Our veterinarian found at least 70 of these sheep were in unnecessary pain and distress because of Mr Currie’s failure to act as directed.” says MPI regional manager Animal Welfare and National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) Compliance, Gray Harrison.

“This was aggravated by the fact Mr Currie admitted to us that he had not provided his sheep with any flystrike preventative during the 2022-2023 season.

“The welfare of animals is our number one priority and when we find evidence of deliberate neglect – we will take action.” says Gray Harrison.

Other animals were affected by parasites such as worms and a lamb that had a severed achilles tendon which occurred during crutching, had to be euthanised.

Animal welfare is everyone’s responsibility and 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, email info@mpi.govt.nz

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

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

With warmer weather on the way, Kiwis all over the motu will be heading to the beach to enjoy the sea’s bounty. But before you go gathering shellfish, New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle has some fast facts to share about toxic shellfish poisoning and how to keep yourself, your whanau and friends safe. 

1. New Zealand hasn’t had a toxic shellfish poisoning outbreak for a decade

Toxic shellfish poisoning can cause serious illness and can even be fatal. Fortunately, we haven’t had an outbreak of toxic shellfish poisoning since 2014, when 13 people fell ill.

New Zealand Food Safety works hard to keep it that way by monitoring key recreational shellfish harvesting areas around the country for biotoxins.

2. New Zealand Food Safety regularly tests water and shellfish for biotoxins to keep the public safe

New Zealand Food Safety has more than 40 monitoring sites, with water tested weekly for toxic algae and shellfish tested fortnightly for biotoxins. The commercial shellfish industry also provides their own biotoxin monitoring data from more than 30 sites, giving us even greater coverage.

If shellfish are found to contain biotoxins at unsafe levels, we issue public health warnings and post signs at affected beaches. In 2023 we issued 17 biotoxin alerts.

3. Cooking does not destroy biotoxins

It’s important to know that cooking will not make toxic shellfish safe to eat, because cooking doesn’t destroy biotoxins.

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. We advise that you also contact your nearest public health unit and keep any leftover shellfish for testing.

4. Shellfish become poisonous by feeding on toxic algae

Shellfish with 2 shells (bivalve shellfish) can each filter more than 200 litres of water a day. They do this to filter out microscopic algae (called phytoplankton) and other particles as a food source. If these algae are toxic, the biotoxins can build up in the shellfish, making them poisonous. Generally, the more toxic algae there are in the water, the more toxic the shellfish get.

5. Bivalve shellfish are the most affected by biotoxins

Shellfish affected by biotoxins usually include bivalves like mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles and scallops. But pūpū (cat’s eyes) and Cook’s turban and can also have elevated levels of some biotoxins.

Generally, you can still eat pāua, crab and crayfish, but only if you remove the gut before cooking, as biotoxins accumulate in the gut. Finfish are not affected by biotoxins from algal blooms, but we advise discarding the liver before cooking. 

6. Not all species of phytoplankton are toxic

Phytoplankton are photosynthetic microscopic algae, meaning that, just like plants, they use the sunshine to grow. And, like plants, they also need nutrients (which they get from the water) to grow. 

If conditions are right, phytoplankton can multiply to high numbers and form algal blooms. Most species of phytoplankton are harmless, but some can naturally produce highly toxic chemicals we call marine biotoxins.

7. Algal blooms occur naturally under particular conditions

Algal blooms usually occur naturally when wind and water currents are favourable for their growth. Causes can include slow water circulation or unusually high water temperatures. Some blooms have happened after extreme weather events like cyclones, floods, or drought.

New Zealand Food Safety does extra monitoring during a toxic algal bloom to track its spread and see how it is affecting different kinds of shellfish.

8. There are 4 main types of toxic shellfish poisoning in New Zealand

Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is potentially the most serious of the 4 main types of toxic shellfish poisoning found in NZ.

PSP symptoms usually appear within 10 minutes to 3 hours of eating and may include:

• numbness and tingling around the mouth, face, hands, and feet
• difficulty swallowing or breathing
• dizziness and headache
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhoea
• paralysis and respiratory failure
• and, in severe cases, death.

If you suspect someone has PSP poisoning after eating shellfish from an area where we have issued a public health warning, seek medical attention immediately.

Find out more

Check for current biotoxin warnings

Subscribe to our alerts 

Download our free NZ Fishing Rules App

Read more about toxic shellfish poisoning

For 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

Next Generation Apples – Sassy™ Apples clinched the Primary Sector Award category at the 2024 New Zealand Food Awards in Auckland last night (Thursday, 10 October 2024).

Launched in 2023, Sassy™ Apples is a new apple variety developed by Plant and Food Research, and grown and marketed by New Zealand-based growers Next Generation Apples, comprising Golden Bay Fruit and Taylor Corp.

“Sassy™ Apples were developed through plant-breeding techniques to create an apple with a crisp texture, high flavour, long storage and shelf life, novel skin and flesh colour, optimal harvest maturity, and pest and disease resistance,” says Vincent Arbuckle, deputy director-general of New Zealand Food Safety.

“It is exciting to see how investment in research can lead to practical advances without sacrificing on bite or flavour.

“Sassy™ Apples are an example of excellence across the supply chain – from research to the orchards, to our supermarkets. Our judging panel for the Primary Sector Award noted the impressive research and innovation behind this product.”

Mr Arbuckle said the high calibre of entries in the Primary Sector category this year reflected an exciting and thriving food and fibre sector.

The other finalists were Waitoa Free Range Chicken (Waitoa Flavour Kit, Thai Green Curry), Good Guise Paneer, and Akaroa Salmon (Hot Smoked Mānuka Salmon Portion 180g).

“All finalists demonstrated a commitment to the kind of quality and ability to overcome challenges which has always formed the foundation of New Zealand’s food production,” Mr Arbuckle said.

The New Zealand Food Awards are held annually by Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University to celebrate food and beverage excellence and innovation in Aotearoa.

New Zealand Food Awards

New Zealand Food Safety has been involved with the awards for more than 20 years, and has been a sponsor since 2008.

Vutter Avo Spreadable – a dairy-free butter, produced by Feliz Wholefoods – took out the 2024 Supreme Award.

For 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

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is supporting Tokyo Foods in its recall of specific seaweed products due to elevated levels of arsenic.

Arsenic: safe levels in food

“The concern with these products is that they could have inorganic arsenic at levels that could make you sick,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

“They should not be eaten. Return them to where you bought them for a refund or throw them out.”

The affected seaweed products are sold at smaller retailers nationwide. All batches and dates of the following products are being recalled:

• Wako Shokai brand Dried Seaweed (Kome Hijiki) 30g
• Wako Shokai brand Roasted Seaweed (Hijiki) 25g
• Yamanaka Foods brand Dried Seaweed (Mekabu) 15g
• Ichbiki brand Hijiki Seaweed / Seasoned Vegetable 70g

Visit New Zealand Food Safety’s recall page for up-to-date information and photographs of the affected products.

Wako Shokai, Yamanaka Foods and Ichbiki brand Seaweed products

“These products contain a type of seaweed called hijiki, which is known to naturally have heightened levels of inorganic arsenic,” says My Arbuckle.

“Hijiki seaweed is not used in sushi products or as a seaweed wrap. It is usually sold in a dried, shredded form and is rehydrated and cooked before eating.”

High exposure to inorganic arsenic can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea within an hour of ingestion.

If you have consumed any of this product and are concerned for your health, contact your health professional, or call Healthline on 0800 61 11 16 for free advice.

New Zealand Food Safety has not received any notifications of associated illness. 

The products have been imported and have not been re-exported.

“As is our usual practice, New Zealand Food Safety will work with importer Tokyo Foods to understand how the contamination occurred and prevent its recurrence,” Mr Arbuckle said.

The vast majority of food sold in New Zealand is safe, but sometimes problems can occur.  Help keep yourself and your family safe by subscribing to our recall alerts. Information on how to subscribe is on the New Zealand Food Safety food recall page.

Recalled food products list

For 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.