Latest fromMinistry for Primary Industries
Govt to back greater penalties for animal cruelty
An MP's bill proposing an increase in maximum sentences for animal cruelty offences has earned Govt support.
Livestock scheme gets mixed reaction
Most industry groups welcomed the Government's announcement today that it will make a livestock tracing scheme compulsory - and pay for it.
Storms set scene for taste of the tropics
Unsettled conditions could mark a turning point for our summer weather, forecasters say.
Sea slug study can't find cash
Toxic sea slugs could be living in the waters around New Zealand but money to study them is proving harder to find than the slugs themselves.
Govt may consider drought assistance
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.
Govt puts $45m into emissions plan
A New Zealand-led initiative on cutting greenhouse gases has won widespread support.
Brain disease found in sheep
New Zealand bio-security and food safety authorities moved proactively this morning to announce the discovery of a brain disease that affects sheep.
High dollar will hurt farmers
A high New Zealand dollar and reduced demand for sheep and beef looks set to hurt farmers in the coming year.
Major animal welfare issues on Crafar farms, says MAF
"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.
Crafar Farms put into receivership owing NZ$200m
NZ's largest family owned dairy business is put into receivership by its banks Westpac, Rabobank and PGG Wrightson Finance.
Crafar Farms put into receivership
New Zealand's largest family owned dairy business, Crafar Farms, has been put into receivership, Korda Mentha said in a statement.
Receivers come to grips with Crafar problems
Receivers were getting mud on their gumboots yesterday as they came to grips with problems of Crafar Farms.
Fed Farmers dairy boss responds to mistreatment reports
Federated Farmers Dairy chair Lachlan McKenzie responds to recent controversy over the mistreatment of animals on a NZ dairy farm.
Animal welfare checks begin on all Crafar farms
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.