Latest fromMinistry for Primary Industries
Jewish spokesman defends kosher poultry killing
A spokesman for the New Zealand Jewish community has defended the animal-killing practice of shechita.
Animal welfare groups slam shechita reversal
Animal welfare organisations are disappointed by the Government's decision to reverse a ban on the kosher killing of chickens.
MP Carter makes quick u-turn
A farming company part-owned by a Cabinet minister was able to brief him on how the Govt could protect its trade with Muslim countries.
Kiwifruit bacteria confirmed on 61 orchards
The PSA bacteria is spreading through the nation's kiwifruit crops with the latest confirmed infections found on orchards in ...
PSA found in kiwifruit pollen
Samples of kiwifruit pollen collected from the Bay of Plenty and South Auckland over the past two years contain the bacteria that cause vine canker.
Psa disease hits South Island orchards
The PSA disease has spread to kiwifruit orchards in the South Island and eradication is looking unlikely, Biosecurity Minister David Carter says.
Kiwifruit support package thrashed out
The Kiwifruit Industry Advisory Council has put together a grower support package which it will propose to Biosecurity Minister David Carter and other parties tomorrow.
Psa strategy to focus on 'aggressive containment'
Biosecurity Minister David Carter says hopes of eradicating the Psa disease are fading, with the number of infected orchards climbing.
Infected kiwifruit orchards have doubled
The kiwifruit crisis in the Bay of Plenty is reaching new heights, with the number of stricken Te Puke orchards today doubling to eight. Another 82 are under investigation.
Fourth kiwifruit orchard infected
A fourth orchard in Te Puke has been confirmed with the kiwifruit vine-killing disease PSA. MAF is currently investigating 82 orchards in total.
Billion-dollar crisis in the orchard
It was just another day at Zespri, until the phone rang and the jaw-dropping news came through.
Eradication of Psa becoming "increasingly difficult" - MAF
As suspicions grow that Psa has spread to kiwfruit orchards outside the BOP, MAF says it's unlikely it will be able to eradicate the disease.
Burning of vines may start today
The Govt could learn today whether diseased kiwifruit vines will need to be destroyed, as leaves begin to wilt on the first properties reported.
Redbacks could threaten native wildlife - scientist
Redback spiders could thrive in some areas of NZ, posing a real threat to native wildlife, a scientist says.
Hundreds of millions of kiwifruit dollars at risk
Orchardists growing gold kiwifruit may have had their hopes of bonanza returns this season dashed as they wait on confirmation that a vine-killing bacteria has arrived in NZ.
Suspected kiwifruit pest hits big NZ operators
Two listed companies are the first victims of a suspected incursion in NZ of a bacterial disease which has ripped through gold kiwifruit varieties overseas, particularly in Italy.
Disease fears threaten NZ kiwifruit
An orchard is under quarantine after the discovery of a suspected bacterial disease that may threaten NZ's $1.5b kiwifruit industry.
Jews fundraise to fight animal welfare code
Heads of the NZ Jewish communities are protesting the Government's proposed animal-welfare ban on shechita, the Jewish ritual slaughter of livestock.