The Government is keeping close watch on the "big dry" in many regions and will consider drought assistance if conditions worsen, Agriculture Minister David Carter says.

A New Zealand-led initiative on cutting greenhouse gases has won widespread support.

New Zealand bio-security and food safety authorities moved proactively this morning to announce the discovery of a brain disease that affects sheep.

"Significant animal welfare issues" have been found among the 20,000 cows on the 22 farms owned by the Crafar family, a MAF inquiry says.

NZ's largest family owned dairy business is put into receivership by its banks Westpac, Rabobank and PGG Wrightson Finance.

New Zealand's largest family owned dairy business, Crafar Farms, has been put into receivership, Korda Mentha said in a statement.

Receivers were getting mud on their gumboots yesterday as they came to grips with problems of Crafar Farms.

Federated Farmers Dairy chair Lachlan McKenzie responds to recent controversy over the mistreatment of animals on a NZ dairy farm.

Inspectors have begun urgent checks on the welfare of livestock at farms owned by the Crafar family, amid concerns that publicity over alleged cruelty could harm New Zealand's reputation.

Agriculture Minister David Carter says 'dirty dairy farmer' Allan Crafar could do huge damage to New Zealand's reputation.

Test results due back today may point scientists towards the cause of the mystery illness or illnesses affecting dogs and wildlife in the Hauraki Gulf.