Doug Laing: We'll be ready if fruit flies visit again

Another foreign fruit fly intrusion may be inevitable, but methods of dealing with it are in-hand. Photo / Michael Cunningham

The Ministry for Primary Industries has identified a potential increase in the threat to New Zealand from the Queensland fruit fly because of an increase in numbers and its spread into previously pest-free areas of Australia.

As a result, MPI has been looking at each pathway and what can be done to better manage risks, and has produced a report that gives an overview of how New Zealand manages the threat, but is unable to identify a likely pathway for the two fruit flies found recently in Whangarei.

GOOD MUMS

Animal welfare scientists in the UK are helping supermarket chain Sainsbury's to identify "good mums" for free farrowing systems on their pig farms. It is hoped the results will encourage more farmers to switch to higher welfare systems in which pregnant sows can be kept loose during and after the birth of their piglets.

A Freesow project is under way, guided by scientists from Scotland's Rural College and Newcastle University. Also involving breeders and farmers, the project will identify the characteristics of the ideal mother for the free farrowing system of management.

"Animal welfare is paramount to us and our customers and we are proud to support and be part of this industry-leading project," says Sainsbury's pork manager Philip Hambling.

FOOD MALPRACTICE

A Food Crime Unit is being established in the UK to battle fraudulent food trade.

It comes with mass adoption of recommendations in a report following a horse meat scandal last year.

The review acknowledges the damage that procurement policies of some larger retailers could have on the sustainability of UK farming and the integrity of the food industry, with particular concern for a practice of procuring goods for less than recognised reasonable prices.

The farmers' union is urging consumers in the UK to buy only product carrying the "Red Tractor" quality assurance symbol.

ALL OVER, ROVER

Every day on farms the animals, whether the sheep, the cattle or the dogs, do something to keep one amused in those moments of solitude and isolation in the paddock or in the yards. One such case was the farm dog that decided on a sniffing exercise up the rear of a cow as it stuck its head through an electric fence.

Suddenly, the cow lifted its head, received a shock, and the rest was just part of nature, really.

For the dog it was a case of all-over Rover, from head to toe.

Moral of the story is, apparently, if you do have to stick your nose into other people's business you have to be prepared for what comes out.

• Think of stories. There must be a few others out there, so jump on your UFB and email them to colleen.thorpe@apn.co.nz.