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The Government’s three border agencies are stepping up work to make trade and travel more efficient through better co-ordination of border services.

Primary Industries Minister David Carter, Customs Minister Maurice Williamson and Immigration Minister Nathan Guy today announced “Future Directions for the Border Sector”, a work programme to look at how the three agencies can operate together more effectively.

A bill to deliver electronic national identification and tracing of livestock has passed its third and final reading in Parliament.

Primary Industries Minister David Carter says the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) Bill is a significant step in protecting farmers in the international marketplace and strengthening New Zealand’s biosecurity system.

“NAIT is a partnership between industry and the Crown which started in 2004 in recognition of the growing need for better animal identification and tracing systems.”

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. I am delighted to be here.

Your conference theme, Beyond our Boundaries, suits the arable industry down to the ground. It encourages your farmers to strive for growth and embrace innovation, something that also fits well with the Government’s goal.

As the Parliamentary year gets underway the Prime Minister has taken the opportunity to outline the aspirations of this National-led Government.

Primary Industries Minister David Carter says the go-ahead for the Irrigation Acceleration Fund’s first project delivers on the Government’s promise to lift economic growth through efficient water use and storage.

Mr Carter welcomed today’s announcement that the IAF and the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council are to jointly fund a $3.3million full feasibility study of the Ruataniwha Water Storage Project.

Consultation has opened on the Government’s proposed response to reviews of Fonterra’s farm gate milk price setting and the Raw Milk Regulations.

Primary Industries Minister David Carter says comprehensive work by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, with input from economic, regulatory and legal experts, has resulted in a set of preferred options for amendments to the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA) and the Raw Milk Regulations.

Primary Industries Minister David Carter has asked for an independent review of the rules and processes controlling the importation of kiwifruit pollen following new information on how the vine disease Psa may have entered the country.

“I have asked the Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to commission a review of current pollen importing permits, how they were developed, the decision-making around them and whether any changes are needed in future,” says Mr Carter.