The Government today announced it will contribute $3.5 million towards the cost of a new events centre in Greymouth to commemorate those who lost their lives in the Pike River tragedy.

Economic Development Minister David Carter says the purpose of the new events centre is to provide a resource for the local community and to support the local economy.

“The Pike River tragedy had a terrible human cost. In addition to the loss of lives, there was also a significant economic impact as a result of the mine’s closure,” says Mr Carter.

Forestry Minister David Carter today congratulated NZ Imported Tropical Timber Group members who have committed to stopping imports of illegally sourced timber from Indonesia.

The decision by the NZITTG, which comes into force on 1 September, will bar import and sales of timber from Indonesia that does not come with credible third party verification of its legality.

Biosecurity Minister David Carter says biosecurity protection for farmers and growers is further strengthened with the official launch today of FarmsOnLine, a comprehensive database of rural properties.

Farm location, ownership and land use registered in the data service means the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry can rapidly respond in the event of a biosecurity emergency or natural disaster.

More than 90 Canterbury exporters will be reinforcing their relationships with key customers in the coming weeks thanks to the Christchurch Market Connections Fund, launched 10 days ago as part of the government’s economic recovery package for earthquake-affected businesses.

Over $1.3 million of the $2 million fund has already been approved to support 91 firms seeking to strengthen relationships and reassure customers that Christchurch, and New Zealand, is open for business.

Two reports to guide the Government’s work in unlocking the potential of Maori agribusiness have been released by Agriculture Minister David Carter and Maori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples.

“The Government has identified Maori agribusiness as a key priority and these reports support our work in targeting opportunities to lift the productivity of Maori land and agribusiness,” says Mr Carter.

The government has committed $6.85 million to a carefully targeted economic recovery package to help Canterbury businesses severely affected by the two major earthquakes get back on their feet.

The package includes money for business recovery coordinators, international visits for exporters to key clients, a trust fund for those in need following the quakes, and more money for workshops and business training.

Agriculture Minister David Carter says dairy farmers are slowly taking heed of his challenge to lift their game when it comes to pollution.

Following today’s release of the annual Dairying and Clean Streams Accord Snapshot of Progress, Mr Carter says that while progress could be faster, the message is gradually getting through to those farmers who have struggled with effluent compliance, and are now looking to their industry bodies and regional councils for support

Agriculture Minister David Carter and the Minister for International Climate Change Negotiations Tim Groser have announced a fellowship programme as part of New Zealand’s efforts on the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases.

The Global Research Alliance Senior Scientist (GRASS) Award will support scientists from New Zealand and from other Alliance countries to undertake exchanges on research projects into agricultural GHG mitigation, for up to six months.

Agriculture and Forestry Minister David Carter has welcomed the plan to merge the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry with the Ministry of Fisheries.

Economic Development Minister David Carter has offered his congratulations to New Zealand Football for winning the rights to host the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

“This is an exciting development for New Zealand and for New Zealand Football,” says Mr Carter. “Hosting rights for a FIFA tournament are hotly contested – both for the feast of exhilarating football on offer and also for the real economic and tourism benefits they bring to the host country.

The arrival of hundreds of farmers over the weekend to help in Christchurch is a huge boost to the earthquake cleanup, says Agriculture Minister David Carter.

“Federated Farmers is doing an excellent job of rallying farmers from as far away as the central North Island, Dunedin and the West Coast to pitch in and help with this mammoth task. 

“Today, 800 volunteers headed to New Brighton to shovel silt from properties and to help clear sections.  They are all using their own gear and many want to stay as long as the job takes.

New Zealand’s major livestock production industries are committed to high animal welfare standards through encouraging voluntary compliance and targeted enforcement action, says Agriculture Minister David Carter.

Mr Carter attended the inaugural meeting of the Animal Welfare Primary Sector Chief Executives’ Forum last night and endorsed a national plan recognising that everyone must take responsibility for the welfare of animals.

Investment in primary sector innovation has reached new levels with the announcement today of $107 million of government-industry funding of Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) proposals.

This takes the total government-industry spend to more than $475 million over 16 months.

Agriculture Minister David Carter says a broad range of discussion is likely when he meets with Chatham Islands farmers over the next two days.

Mr Carter, Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson and Rangitata MP Jo Goodhew leave today to visit several farms and meet with Federated Farmers, local government representatives and local farmers.

The Government has announced the investment of $17.25 million over five years in a wool research consortium tasked with lifting the economic return of the wool industry.

The announcement was made today by Research, Science and Technology Minister Wayne Mapp and Agriculture Minister David Carter.

“The Government’s investment in this consortium demonstrates its ongoing commitment to this important industry,” say the Ministers.

Agriculture Minister David Carter has today extended drought relief to cover the Waikato region and Ruapehu District.

Mr Carter met with Waikato farmers, the local Rural Support Trust and industry representatives west of Hamilton today to discuss the worsening dry conditions. 

The Minister declared the two areas medium-level drought zones which steps up funding for local Rural Support Trusts to assist farming communities, and provides farm management advice and welfare support.

Biosecurity Minister David Carter tonight welcomed the unanimous support of Parliament for the first reading of the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) Bill.

The bill sets out the legal framework for the collection of information on livestock, their location and movement history throughout their lifetime.  It also outlines governance arrangements and powers for the NAIT organisation.