Early Bird I Tuesday September 3rd 2024

Pork industry wins battle over highly productive land use, call for farmer consultation as Quorum Sense opposes GMO regulation changes, and outdoor fires banned across Canterbury to prevent wildfires. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Pork industry wins battle over highly productive land use, New Zealand's pork industry is celebrating a policy change that ensures pig farming can continue on highly productive agricultural land. The government has amended the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land, clarifying that pig farming is an appropriate activity in these areas. The original wording had specified "land-based" primary production, which could have excluded pig farming from highly productive areas. This posed significant challenges for establishing new farms or expanding existing ones. The revised policy now includes a clause recognizing intensive indoor primary production, such as pig farming, as suitable for highly productive land. NZPork chief executive Brent Kleiss highlighted the importance of this amendment, noting that pig farms are often part of larger operations where effluent is used as natural fertiliser on cropping or pastoral land. This change resolves a two-year concern for the industry. The amendments preserve the policy's main goal of protecting prime agricultural land while ensuring pig farming can develop and expand in these areas. Call for farmer consultation as Quorum Sense opposes GMO regulation changes The New Zealand Government's plan to alter regulations around gene technology, including the potential release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), has sparked significant concern from the regenerative farming network, Quorum Sense. The group, which champions sustainable farming practices across the country, is firmly opposed to the introduction of GMOs into New Zealand’s agricultural landscape and unique ecosystems. Quorum Sense argues that New Zealand's current GE-free status provides crucial assurance to both local and international consumers, underpinning the country’s reputation for high-quality, natural produce. They suggest that the nation’s primary sector is already world-leading without the need for GMO technology, challenging the notion that New Zealand is "falling behind" due to its existing regulations. The network also raises doubts about the purported benefits of GMOs in agriculture, citing the lack of compelling evidence from other countries that have used gene technology over the past two decades. Despite significant investment, these benefits remain unproven, according to Quorum Sense. Instead, Quorum Sense advocates for natural and ecological farming methods, which they believe offer a more effective pathway to improving productivity while maintaining environmental sustainability. They note a growing number of New Zealand farmers who are successfully adopting regenerative practices, enhancing soil health, boosting biodiversity, and improving resilience to challenges like drought and floods. Concerns also extend to the potential risks associated with the commercialization of GE technology, including the unclear implications for farmers regarding patents, threats to non-GE crops, and possible cost burdens. Furthermore, Quorum Sense points to consumer trends favouring natural products, which support the growth of regenerative and organic food sectors over GMO-based alternatives. Southland farmers explore Precision Fermentation's future impact in new discussion paper Thriving Southland, a community-led group, has released a new discussion paper titled Understanding Precision Fermentation, responding to increasing interest from Southland’s farming community. The technology of precision fermentation, which could have a significant impact on New Zealand’s food production, especially in the dairy sector, is at the centre of this exploration. The paper serves as an accessible introduction to precision fermentation, providing a comprehensive overview of the technology, sharing various stakeholder perspectives, and guiding readers to more in-depth studies. Though the document draws on existing research rather than presenting new findings, it aims to equip farmers and stakeholders with the knowledge needed to understand the implications of precision fermentation. The paper was developed in response to local inquiries, with many farmers and stakeholders seeking to learn more about how precision fermentation might influence their industry. The discussion highlights that while the future impacts of this technology remain uncertain, now is the time to consider both potential disruptions and emerging opportunities. Thriving Southland's initiative is not intended to express a specific viewpoint but rather to stimulate informed discussion within the community. Anna Crosbie, the paper’s author, emphasises the vital role of the dairy sector in Southland’s economy, noting its significant contributions to employment and regional output. Given that precision fermentation is widely seen as the alternative protein technology most likely to impact New Zealand first, the paper seeks to help farmers access the latest research and prepare for potential changes in the industry. The paper points out that precision fermentation could reshape the dairy sector by offering new opportunities while also presenting challenges that require careful, strategic planning. Although the extent and speed of this disruption are not yet clear, recent scenarios suggest that proactive thinking is essential. The document also discusses the growing global investment in precision fermentation, which could outpace New Zealand’s current regulatory environment, making it crucial for the country to bolster its resilience against possible industry shifts. The paper acknowledges that opinions differ on how much New Zealand should invest in preparing for the disruptions precision fermentation might bring. However, it underscores the importance of engaging in national and regional dialogues to determine the best path forward for the dairy sector. Horticulture NZ celebrates industry excellence and community support Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) has recognized the significant contributions of three industry stalwarts at it’s annual awards in Mount Maunganui. Dr. Stuart Davis, John Dine, and Kris Robb were honoured for their unwavering commitment to advancing the horticultural sector and supporting growers across the country. Dr. Stuart Davis, who serves as the sustainability manager for LeaderBrand in Auckland, was awarded the prestigious Bledisloe Cup for his exceptional service to the vegetable sector. With over 35 years of experience, Dr. Davis has been instrumental in integrating science and innovation to promote sustainable vegetable production. His leadership has been crucial in industry groups and in the development of the A Lighter Touch programme, which addresses the need for safe, sustainably produced food while ensuring environmental stewardship.  Industry consultant John Dine received the Industry Service Award in recognition of his long-standing dedication to the fruit sector. Throughout his four-decade career, Mr. Dine has been at the forefront of key transformations, including the adoption of high-density dwarf rootstocks and the development of Integrated Fruit Production (IFP) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programmes.  Central Otago’s Kris Robb, general manager of Clyde Orchards, was honoured with the President’s Trophy for his inspiring leadership within the sector. As president of the Central Otago Fruit Growers Association, Mr. Robb took decisive action during the COVID-19 pandemic to secure local labour for the region, ensuring that the industry continued to thrive despite the challenges. His work extended beyond labour management; he also produced over 60 videos that document life on the orchard, helping to elevate the profile of horticulture in Central Otago.  In addition to honouring individual contributions, HortNZ presented the 2024 Aotearoa Horticulture Manaaki Awards to two community groups for their exceptional support of Pacific workers participating in the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme. The Nelson/Tasman, and The Aotearoa Tongan Health Workers Association was also acknowledged for its crucial support of 270 Tongan RSE workers in Hawke’s Bay, who faced significant challenges following Cyclone Gabrielle.  Outdoor fires banned across Canterbury to prevent wildfires. And all outdoor fires have been banned across Canterbury until next Monday, following Fire and Emergency New Zealand's (FENZ) decision to enforce a prohibited fire season for the district. Effective immediately, the ban will remain in place until 11:59 p.m. next Monday the 9th of September, as the region braces for a period of warm and windy weather that significantly increases the risk of fires. This means that all outdoor fires are strictly forbidden, and any previously issued fire permits have been revoked. The move is a precautionary measure in response to the forecasted weather conditions, which have been known to spark numerous fires across the district over the past three months. FENZ determined that a total fire ban is the most effective way to prevent further outbreaks during this period. The dangers posed by high winds were made evident when a fire in a forestry block in Waipara, North Canterbury, recently escalated after jumping containment lines. The blaze has since doubled in size, with firefighting crews expected to remain on site throughout the week to bring it under control.  Residents are being urged to check any old burn piles to ensure they are fully extinguished to avoid reigniting fires. It’s also crucial for the public to be aware of what activities are restricted during a prohibited fire season. FENZ encourages everyone to visit www.checkitsalright.nz for essential fire safety tips and guidelines. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.