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Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy is welcoming success by three Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) programmes this week, including an award nomination for a revolutionary seafood programme.

“The Precision Seafood Harvesting Programme has been nominated for a KiwiNet Research & Business Partnership Award. This is fitting recognition for a programme that could revolutionise the global fishing industry.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy is welcoming an ambitious new Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) programme for the avocado industry, which aims to triple productivity and quadruple returns by 2023.

‘Go Global’ is an $8.56 million programme, with $4.28 million coming from the Government via PGP funding. It will be a five year partnership between the Avocado Industry Council and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

It is my great pleasure to be back in Colombia.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy says dry conditions in parts of Waikato and Northland remain a serious concern.

“Local authorities in Northland have announced the western parts of their region are in drought. This reflects the tough few months they’ve had as pasture has browned off.

“Cyclone Lusi has helped green tinges appear in some places, but the rainfall was erratic and insufficient. Western Northland and large parts of the Waikato remain very dry.

Good morning. It is great to be back in Chile. This is my third trip to Latin America in just over a year, and my second trip to Chile and to this beautiful region.

The last time I was here I accompanied our Prime Minister as part of a broader trade mission across Latin America. This time I am joined by our trade Minister Tim Groser, and a 14 strong New Zealand business delegation.

This delegation includes some of the best of New Zealand's agribusiness, agri-tech, and agricultural training expertise.

Test results showing the presence of Phytophthora taxon Agathis (PTA) or Kauri dieback disease in the Whangapoua Forest just north of Whitianga is a major concern, Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy say.

Trade Minister Tim Groser and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy are leading an agribusiness delegation to Chile and Colombia from 23-28 March.

“Latin America is a valued trading partner for New Zealand and a fast growing region,” says Mr Groser. 

“Our relationship with Chile is thriving with a high level of engagement in areas such as energy and environment, agriculture and education. They are encouraging New Zealand business to explore future investment opportunities and we hope to build on this.

Primary Industries Ministers Nathan Guy and Jo Goodhew are welcoming commercialisation of new forestry technology this week as a big step forward in improving both productivity and safety.

“The Steepland Harvesting Programme is a very exciting Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) project, with $6 million in joint funding from the industry and the Government and a vision of 'No worker on the slope, no hand on the chainsaw',” says Mr Guy.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has today announced changes to catch limits for seven commercial fish stocks, aimed at ensuring their sustainability for all New Zealanders.

The new limits come into effect on 1 April 2014 and are based on robust research and management information, and views from all stakeholders in the various fisheries.

In addition to this the National Rock Lobster Management Group provides advice to the Minister on crayfish fisheries. This group is made up of representatives from the recreational, customary and commercial sectors.

26 New Ministry for Primary Industries border staff begin training in Auckland today as part of a programme to beef up frontline resources, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has announced today.

“Close to 125 new quarantine inspectors have joined MPI in the last 18 months and this is another big boost in resources.

“The 26 new staff will graduate around the middle of this year and will be posted around New Zealand.

“While there is increasing use of technology and intelligence to protect our border, we still need people on the frontline.

The Government today announced a new marine reserve, whale and fur seal sanctuary, five customary fishing areas and amateur fishing regulations to improve the management of Kaikoura’s coast and ocean.

“Kaikoura’s extraordinary marine environment needs the protection and recognition of these new sanctuaries and reserves. This is the most biologically rich ocean anywhere in the world over 500 metres depth because of its deep canyon so close to shore,” Dr Smith says.

Five new marine reserves on the West Coast at Kahurangi, Punakaiki, Okarito, Tauparikaka and Hautai have passed their final hurdle with concurrence being granted by the Minister for Primary Industries, Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith announced today.

“I have carefully considered the impacts of these proposed reserves on the commercial, recreational and customary fishers and have given my concurrence under the Marine Reserves Act for their establishment,” Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy says.

Thank you for the opportunity to address you all today.

The last few years have been some of the more challenging in New Zealand’s history. In the space of five short years we have endured the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, the worst drought in 70 years, and of course the devastating series of earthquakes in the Canterbury region.

But we have largely weathered this storm, and while there will no doubt be further hurdles along the way, the future is looking bright for New Zealand.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has visited the Waikato today to see first-hand the challenging dry conditions facing farmers.

“Most farmers are managing the dry conditions in Waikato and Northland, but it’s becoming difficult for some. The last few months have been very dry as pasture has browned off.

“Rain is forecast to hit the upper North Island this week as the remnants of Cyclone Lusi hits New Zealand. Any rain will be gratefully received by farmers.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has approved the first set of fisheries bylaws for the Waikato-Tainui Fisheries Area, supporting the joint government-iwi commitment to restore and protect the Waikato River for future generations.

The bylaws, under the Waikato-Tainui (Waikato River Fisheries) Regulations 2011, allow Waikato-Tainui to exercise traditional management practices to prohibit or restrict fishing for sustainable utilisation or cultural reasons.

The new bylaws take effect on 10 April and include: 

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has welcomed the creation of a new position for an Agricultural Counsellor to be based in Dubai.

The announcement has been made as part of the Minister’s current visit to Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“This new position is the latest step by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to increase its presence in the Middle East. It recognises the growing importance of the New Zealand relationship with the region and will provide further support for New Zealand exporters,” says Mr Guy.

A Threat Management Plan for the New Zealand sea lion is to be developed in response to this season’s low pup count on the Auckland Islands, Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith announced today from the HMNZS Wellington at Port Ross in conjunction with Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy.

Good afternoon everyone. It is a pleasure to be here in Riyadh this week, as part of a week-long visit to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Last year the Government launched the NZ Inc Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Strategy, which outlines New Zealand’s plans for further developing strong government and private sector relationships with the GCC.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy leaves tomorrow on a visit to Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

“This visit is an opportunity to build on New Zealand’s already well-established relationship with key agricultural and food export markets,” says Mr Guy.

“In 2013 New Zealand exported $1.6b of primary products to these three markets, and our agricultural expertise is in strong demand as states in the region look to improve their food security.”

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has instructed officials to consult on prohibiting the use of blunt force to euthanise bobby calves on farms.

“After speaking to industry leaders, I have asked the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) to consider an amendment to the Animal Welfare (Dairy Cattle) Code of Welfare 2010,” says Mr Guy.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy today announced New Zealand has ratified an international fisheries agreement designed to fight illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations Port State Measures Agreement sets minimum standards for port access by foreign flagged fishing vessels and related support vessels.

“Widespread implementation of the agreement will make it more difficult and less economic to undertake IUU fishing,” Mr McCully says.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has released new figures today forecasting a rise in primary sector exports for this year, to nearly $5 billion higher than originally forecast.

The Ministry for Primary Industries has updated the Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries Forecast Update for January 2014.

It reveals an upward trend for agriculture, forestry, and fishing exports by $4.9 billion to $36.4 billion for the year to 30 June 2014.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Food Safety Minister Nikki Kaye today announced a working group set up to improve dairy traceability.

“The independent Government Inquiry into the Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC) Contamination Incident highlighted the importance of effective systems for dairy traceability,” Mr Guy says.

“The Inquiry recommended lifting the dairy sector’s ability to trace products and ingredients through a working group focusing on regulatory and worldwide best practices.”

A Bill to update the funding of international traveller processing services at the border has passed its third and final reading in Parliament tonight.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy says the Airports (Cost Recovery for Processing of International Travellers) Bill completes the funding arrangements agreed with the aviation industry back in 2004.