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The Government today announced it is to require reflagging of foreign-owned fishing vessels operating in New Zealand waters to address labour, safety and fisheries practice concerns.

Primary Industries Minister David Carter and Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson say foreign-flagged fishing vessels will no longer be able to legally operate in New Zealand waters after a four-year transition period.

Primary Industries Minister David Carter and Environment Minister Amy Adams are welcoming further progress in New Zealand’s fresh water management with the release today of the Land and Water Forum’s second report.

The report on fresh water governance and setting limits continues the work on water reform initiated by the Government in 2009 and builds on the Forum’s first report released in 2010.

The Government today released a consultation document setting out proposed changes to the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme.

“The ETS is the most cost effective and efficient way we can reduce our emissions and do our fair share on the global issue of climate change,” say Climate Change Minister Tim Groser and Primary Industries Ministers David Carter and Nathan Guy.

A Bill which oversees Fonterra’s farm gate milk price setting and aims to deliver a more transparent and efficient dairy market passed its first reading in Parliament today.

Primary Industries Minister David Carter told Parliament that because of Fonterra’s dominance, its farm gate milk price is effectively the default price that all dairy processors in New Zealand must pay to attract supply from farmers.

A new bill detailing proposals to oversee Fonterra’s farm gate milk price setting and ensure a more transparent and efficient dairy market was tabled in Parliament today by Primary Industries Minister David Carter.

“Because of Fonterra’s dominance in the New Zealand market, the price it pays its farmers for milk at the farm gate effectively becomes the default price that all dairy processors must pay to attract supply from farmers,” said Mr Carter.

Immigration and Associate Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has launched two new guides today to help migrant dairy workers and their employers work together more successfully.

“Migrant workers make up a small but significant part of the dairy industry workforce, filling the gaps where there are not enough New Zealanders available.

The Government is considering further measures to protect Maui’s dolphins as a new study points to a decline in numbers of the critically endangered species.

A population assessment commissioned by the Department of Conservation shows the number of adult dolphins has gone down in the six years since the previous assessment, with an estimated 55 adult animals remaining.

The importance of the whole primary sector to New Zealand’s economy is recognised in the Government’s decision to rename the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, says Primary Industries Minister David Carter.

The new Ministry for Primary Industries will encompass all government work across the agricultural, horticultural, fisheries and aquaculture, forestry and food sectors, as well as biosecurity.

The Government has resolved to take a stronger line on the operation of foreign charter vessels (FCVs) in New Zealand waters, say Primary Industries Minister David Carter and Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson.

The Ministers today released the report of the Ministerial Inquiry into Foreign Charter Vessels.

The Inquiry, which was initiated by the Government last year, focused on several issues, including labour standards and protecting New Zealand’s reputation.

Mr Carter says the Inquiry panel has done a thorough job.

Primary Industries Minister David Carter and Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson today received the report of the Ministerial Inquiry into the use and operation of Foreign Charter Vessels (FCVs).

The Inquiry was initiated by the Government last year to consider key issues relevant to the use of FCVs in New Zealand waters.

A Ministerial Inquiry was regarded as the appropriate course of action as a number of ministerial portfolios have an interest in FCV engagement and operation, including fisheries, labour, immigration, transport and foreign affairs and trade.

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.”

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.