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New Zealand’s border inspection system is set to gain a new fleet of x-ray machines, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has announced at Horticulture NZ’s annual conference today.

Eleven x-ray machines will replace existing machines at Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown airports used to inspect both the checked-in and hand luggage of people arriving in New Zealand.

Auckland and Christchurch will also receive new technology to reduce the amount of handling required to load and unload luggage onto and off the x-ray machines.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy today welcomed the announcement of Primary Growth Partnership funding of $6.75 million to investigate producing biofuels from forestry waste.

The ‘Stump to Pump’ Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) programme partners are Norske Skog, Z Energy and the Government. The Government will match their funding of $6.75 million to bring the project’s total funding to $13.5 million.

Racing Minister Nathan Guy today announced the appointment of Glenda Hughes as Independent Chairperson of the New Zealand Racing Board’s (NZRB’s) governing body.

Ms Hughes was appointed as Independent Chairperson following consultation with the racing industry.

The racing industry makes an important contribution to the New Zealand economy, generating around $1.6 billion annually and around 17000 jobs.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has welcomed the beginning of trials for the use of x-ray images to screen airline baggage before it arrives in New Zealand.

The trials are a world-first and involve the transfer of aviation security x-ray images from Melbourne Airport to Auckland for passengers on Air New Zealand flights, while the passenger is on the flight. Passengers will still be subject to clearance requirements prior to boarding the plane.

Environment Minister Amy Adams and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy have today announced that the Government has finalised the first stage of an action plan to improve water quality and the way freshwater is managed.

The Government released a discussion document in March based on the recommendations of the Land and Water Forum and which gave effect to their core recommendations.

The document outlined a clear path of reform ahead that will be addressed through a comprehensive and measured approach, starting this year.

New rules for meat exports to China will be implemented on Monday next week, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Food Safety Minister Nikki Kaye said today.

“On Thursday we were made aware that China had issued new rules for New Zealand meat certification,” Ministers say.

“In the last 48 hours we have sought clarity around the impacts of those requirements and officials have negotiated their implementation.”

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy says a memorandum signed today between Landcorp Farming and Massey University and their Chinese counterparts will further strengthen the close ties between China and New Zealand in the agricultural sector.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Anhui Agricultural University, Anhui Anxin Husbandry Development Limited and Anhui Provincial Government Decision-Making Cultural Exchange Centre provides collaboration on sheep farming and pasture growth opportunities in Anhui province.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy announced today that additional resources will be placed into the crucial market of China, following a meeting with AQSIQ Vice Minister Wei Chuanzhong.

“Two new Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) staff will be stationed in China by the end of the year, in addition to a number of locally engaged staff,” says Mr Guy.

The meeting at AQSIQ follows Mr Guy’s meeting with Chinese Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu earlier this week.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy announced today that additional resources will be placed into the crucial market of China, following a meeting with AQSIQ Vice Minister Wei Chuanzhong.

“Two new Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) staff will be stationed in China by the end of the year, in addition to a number of locally engaged staff,” says Mr Guy.

The meeting at AQSIQ follows Mr Guy’s meeting with Chinese Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu earlier this week.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has announced today that Crown Irrigation Investments Limited is now established and ready to work with backers of new irrigation schemes.

“The company will act as a bridging investor for regional water infrastructure projects, helping kick-start projects that would not otherwise get off the ground. The Government has set aside $80 million in Budget 2013 for this purpose,” says Mr Guy.

All members of the establishment board have been appointed to the new Board of Crown Irrigation Investments Limited.

Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy is flying to China tonight, leading an agribusiness trade mission.

The trip is formally hosted by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and the delegation will visit Beijing, Shanghai, and the provinces of Inner Mongolia and Anhui.

“This is a valuable opportunity to match New Zealand agribusiness companies with business opportunities. Of particular interest is pasture and animal husbandry expertise, general agricultural services, and the construction of dairy farms,” says Mr Guy.

Trade Minister Tim Groser and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy today announced the appointment of Mike Petersen to the position of New Zealand Special Agriculture Trade Envoy (SATE).

The role is to advocate for New Zealand’s agriculture trade interests, from the perspective of a practising farmer.

“In the immediate term, Petersen’s priority will be to coordinate support among international farmer groups for a comprehensive outcome on agriculture in the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade negotiations,” says Mr Groser.

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.

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.