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Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has welcomed $6.88 million in Government funding for two new Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) programmes, which will deliver a major boost to productivity and environmental outcomes.

“A project led by the Whai Hua group will work to develop new probiotic dairy health products. This will help to add value to what we export by targeting high value niche markets.

Thank you to the organisers of the National Sustainability Showcase for the invitation to say a few words this evening. 

Thanks to the Trust’s efforts, the farm environment awards have grown steadily in recent years.

It's important to correct some correct claims by opposition politicians. To make it crystal clear: funding has not been cut for biosecurity in Budget 2013.

Appropriations for ‘border biosecurity monitoring and clearance’ were temporarily higher in last year’s Budget because $5 million in funding was brought forward from 2011/12 to pay for the Joint Border Management System (JBMS), and $1 million for the merger to create the Ministry for Primary Industries was also brought forward.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy says the 2013 Fieldays has reinforced just how important the primary industries are to New Zealand’s economy.

“125,127 people attended this year’s event at Mystery Creek and the overall mood was very positive. It was an honour to open the 45th National Fieldays, an event that attracted nearly 700 international visitors and 22 delegations keen to learn from New Zealand.

"Primary industries are the powerhouse of New Zealand’s economy generating around $30 billion a year in exports, which is about 72% of all our exports.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy says no decisions have been made yet on any changes to regulations in the Snapper 1 area, but formal consultation will begin next month.

“Overall the stock is growing and in good health. This is a highly valuable fishery and we need to ensure the benefits are shared sustainably amongst all sectors.

“The new plenary science report shows the stock is rebuilding well, and anecdotal evidence suggests it is in good health.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has announced changes to regulatory controls of some of New Zealand’s most valuable fisheries, including a decision to extend consultation on the Otago/Southland Paua fisheries review.

“I have decided there needs to be further consultation on proposals to review commercial fishing restrictions in the Otago and Southland Paua fishery.

“The importance of this fishery to recreational users has been made very clear over the past few months. 

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy have marked three years of the Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) at a function at Parliament tonight.

“The PGP invests in research and innovation to boost productivity in New Zealand’s farming, forestry and food sectors,” Mr Guy says. “This will mean more exports, jobs and better environmental outcomes as well.”

Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy and Minister of Conservation Dr Nick Smith have today announced an interim response to the report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment on longfin eels.

“The longfin eel is the largest freshwater eel in the world, has a fascinating lifecycle and is found only in New Zealand. We are committed to ensuring its long-term survival and are taking seriously the concerns raised in the Parliamentary Commission for the Environment’s report,” the Ministers say.

Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy is encouraging primary sector groups to submit proposals for the next funding round of the Primary Growth Partnership.

“The PGP invests in major programmes of research and innovation to boost New Zealand’s farming, forestry and food sectors.

“PGP and co-investors have so far committed $658 million of multi-year funding for 13 projects.  The potential benefit to the wider economy from these projects is over $7 billion per year from 2025.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has announced that an agreement has been reached in Beijing last night to ensure that New Zealand meat exports to China can resume on a normal basis, starting later today.

"The resolution is comprehensive and will allow normal trade to resume using NZFSA certification, including for product currently in storage, or en route to China,” says Mr Guy.

“This is an important step in resuming trade, now that containers are moving off the wharves and the backlog is clearing.

Containers of New Zealand meat are now moving off the wharves and into the Chinese market, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has confirmed today.

“I’ve spoken to meat companies this morning who have confirmed that the first shipments have been collected from the wharf. It’s positive news that the backlog has now begun clearing.

“AQSIQ are now progressively working their way through the remaining reissued certificates as a priority.

Certificates for shipments of New Zealand meat have today received official clearance from Chinese authorities, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has announced.

“In the last hour we’ve received an update from the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing. AQSIQ headquarters has confirmed that it has all the information it needs to authorise ports to start clearing the first 245 priority consignments from today. Importers and agents will then be able to collect their shipments.

A resolution has been agreed which should see authorities clearing New Zealand meat exports to China from next week, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has announced.

"Chinese authorities have agreed they will begin releasing consignments under the name of the New Zealand Food Safety Authority.

"Officials are working around the clock to reissue certificates for all the meat consignments that are held up at ports or on the water.

"This is positive news for farmers and exporters after what has been a frustrating time.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has provided an update on progress being made in resolving the delays in clearance for some meat exports to China.

“Resolving this delay is the number one priority for the Ministry for Primary Industries.

“New Zealand officials have worked around the clock to provide additional technical information to Chinese authorities over the weekend.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Food Safety Minister Nikki Kaye have this morning sought an update from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) about some consignments of New Zealand meat delayed in China.

“MPI has informed us that there are no food safety concerns around the product,” Ms Kaye says.

“We have been advised by MPI that most product is frozen and remains refrigerated. MPI also advises us that chilled product is being given priority clearance.

Budget 2013 has confirmed $80 million in funding for regional irrigation projects, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy says.

“After the extreme drought that most of the country has struggled through this year, the need for better water storage is obvious,” he says.

“There is no shortage of water in New Zealand, but we lack the ability to store and use that water when it’s needed most. Currently, only 2 per cent of rainfall is used for irrigation. We need to do a better job of using this resource.

Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy says he is shocked at the Labour Party’s u-turn on supporting the Ruataniwha water storage scheme in Hawke’s Bay, despite previously indicating their support.

“The proposed Ruataniwha water storage scheme has the potential to irrigate an extra 25,000 hectares in Hawke’s Bay. This would be a major boost to exports, jobs and growth in the region.

A national management plan for dealing with the kiwifruit Psa virus has been formally approved by the Government, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has announced today.

“This plan means that the primary responsibility for managing Psa is now moving to the industry themselves as they are best placed to co-ordinate and lead the response.

New detector dog puppies and a recruitment drive to hire 30 new quarantine inspectors proves biosecurity is a top priority for the government, says Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy.

Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy has introduced a Bill to Parliament today to update and strengthen animal welfare in New Zealand.

“The Bill will allow us to create enforceable regulations that set out how farm and domestic animals should be treated. It also gives wider powers to deal with people who breach welfare laws,” says Mr Guy.

A new action plan between Australia and New Zealand will see defences against the threat of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) strengthened.

Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, and New Zealand’s Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy, have announced the two countries will work more closely together focusing combined defences against the threat of FMD.

Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy has launched the New Zealand Animal Welfare Strategy today, setting out a high level framework for how we treat animals.

“The strategy Animal Welfare Matters sets out a formal foundation for New Zealand’s animal welfare legislation and policy,” says Mr Guy.

“It says that it matters how animals are treated, and that we have responsibilities toward animals. It also says that using animals for activities like farming and racing is acceptable as long as it is humane.”

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy have today unveiled concept plans for a world-class agricultural research and education facility to be sited at Lincoln, near Christchurch.

The Lincoln Hub concept plans and business proposal have been developed by a partnership of Lincoln University, DairyNZ and Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) AgResearch, Plant & Food Research, and Landcare Research.

Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy and Food Safety Minister Nikki Kaye have paid tribute to Wayne McNee for his 14 years of service as a Chief Executive in the public service.

Mr McNee is resigning as Director General of the Ministry for Primary Industries to take up a new role as Chief Executive of the Livestock Improvement Corporation.