Latest fromMinistry for Primary Industries

Formula threat: 2000 persons of interest
Almost 2000 people are being viewed as persons of interest in the investigation into the threat to contaminate infant formula with 1080 poison.

John Roughan: Key can be too candid for our own good
One of the first things you learn in journalism is that a hoax is not news, John Roughan writes.

Formula cleared of 1080
All of the samples of infant formula tested by police after being suspected of possible tampering have tested negative for 1080.

Cow cruelty image sparks investigation
Authorities are investigating a photo of thin jersey cows being transported across Cook Strait to slaughter, which caused outrage after being shared on Facebook.

Formula threat: More resources pumped into investigation
Authorities are no closer to saying if the threat to poison baby formula with 1080 was a hoax, or who wrote the blackmail threats - even with 30 staff on the case.

Formula tested amid tampering fears
Police are testing infant formula after a number of tins were found with pin-pricks in packaging lids.

Hounds to 'upsize' border dogs
Harrier hounds may soon be helping to protect New Zealand's border from pests and diseases, the Ministry for Primary Industries says.

Hunt finds fruit fly larvae at weekend
Queensland fruit fly larvae were found in fruit collected from two properties in Grey Lynn at the weekend, three weeks after the initial fly was caught.

Dollar has hit venison but velvet strong
The New Zealand dollar's record-breaking run against the long-suffering euro has hit the local venison market hard because of its high exposure to Europe, but strong deer velvet prices have provided....

French foodie fined for concealing pate
A French foodie who couldn't part with her pate has become the first person convicted for deliberating concealing biosecurity goods on a visiting yacht.

Brian Fallow: Govt reaps what it sows
Forestry investors are delivering a clear vote of no confidence in Government policy, in an area critical for New Zealand's response to climate change.

Fruit fly hunt: Auckland traps cleared
Traps set in the Auckland suburb of Grey Lynn after a Queensland fruit fly was found yesterday are being cleared today.

One small fruit fly, one massive response
There are warnings NZ's $5 billion horticulture industry is threatened by the discovery of a Queensland fruit fly in Grey Lynn, and tight controls are in place.

Ban after fruit fly found in NZ
A fruit fly has been found in the Auckland suburb of Grey Lynn, with signs going up asking people not to move any fresh fruit or vegetables beyond the area.

Hundreds of cattle left to starve
"There were dead animals in drains." A vet has described an horrific case of mistreating cattle on a farm as the worst he has seen.

$41m funding for meaty projects
Two projects to develop premium markets for New Zealand venison and lamb have won $41 million in government and industry co-funding under the Primary Growth Partnership

Trouble-plagued ship's new woes
Trouble has again hit the Melilla 201. It's been tied up at a Dunedin wharf for two years, and nearly ran aground as it tried to leave yesterday.

Charges to winegrowers 'unjustifiable'
The ministry is reviewing how it recovers the costs of its biosecurity and food safety systems across the country's primary industries, after under-recovering for several years.

Spate of fires sparks drought discussions
Farmers are weighing up asking for a drought to be declared in the Marlborough region as "atrocious" conditions sparked several fires across the South Island yesterday.