Early Bird I Monday June 24th 2024

Farm-saved seed royalty programme gets underway, farmers urged to come forward with health and safety feedback and growers support Hort NZ in levy referendum. 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! Farm-saved seed royalty programme gets underway The long-debated farm-saved seed royalties system for wheat and barley growers is finally ready for implementation.  The system was launched at the New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association (NZGSTA) industry grains and pulses forum in Ashburton.  Thomas Chin, the association's general manager, announced that the project is “set to fly” and called on all wheat and barley growers to utilise the online declaration form available for recording their use of farm-saved seed. This system, managed by the seed industry office and accessible via www.farmsavedseed.co.nz, aims to collect royalties on plant variety rights (PVR) protected seeds that farmers have saved and replanted within the current production year.  Under the voluntary declaration system, farmers who save and replant PVR-protected seed will pay the rights holder an annual royalty based on their usage for that calendar year.  Similar farm-saved seed royalty collection systems have been successfully implemented in countries like Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, France, and Argentina.  The royalties framework was collaboratively designed by New Zealand's seed sector partners, including arable farmer representatives, seed companies, and plant breeders.  Growers have until the end of November to file their online declarations for the first year of the royalties project. Farmers urged to come forward with health and safety feedback Farmers are hoping for a respite from the complex national health and safety laws currently under review by the Coalition Government.  Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced last week that a roadshow will be held across regions in the coming months to consult with stakeholders. This initiative marks the first step toward delivering on the commitment to reforming health and safety laws and regulations, as outlined in the ACT-National Coalition Agreement. Federated Farmers workplace health and safety spokesman David Birkett believes there's significant room for improvement, including the establishment of a system that scales appropriately to the size of the farm. According to Birkett, the current settings involve excessive costs, complexity, and compliance burdens for farmers without yielding better safety outcomes.  He says that the current regulations do not distinguish between the sizes of farming operations, imposing the same level of health and safety compliance on both large and small farms. Birkett is calling for a balanced approach that considers the scale of the operation. The review presents a valuable opportunity for farmers to voice their concerns and experiences to help improve the health and safety regulations. Birkett is urging farmers to provide feedback to the government. Flexibility in livestock transport regulations sought Meanwhile Fed Farmers are advocating for a more flexible approach to health and safety regulations for livestock transport, emphasising the need for common sense over bureaucratic stringency.  Federated Farmers Southland president Jason Herrick is arguing for a better alignment between animal welfare requirements and Land Transport rules, noting that even with meticulous planning, unexpected issues can disrupt schedules.  Delays such as roadworks, heavy traffic, and pick-up issues often force drivers into difficult situations where they must choose between stopping for a mandated break or continuing to ensure the animals' safety. Electronic logbooks and driver-facing cameras make it easy for enforcement officers to detect breaches of these regulations, leading to fines of up to $2000. H Dom Kalasih, chief executive of Ara Aotearoa/Transporting NZ warns that despite no current driver shortage, the ongoing hassles could damage the livestock sector and deter companies from taking certain jobs.  Federated Farmers are urging drivers to provide feedback to the government to help improve the current system. Southland farm under MPI investigation The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is investigating a Southland farm over poor grazing practices after some dairy cows were found stuck in mud. Following a complaint, MPI animal welfare officers visited the Riverton farm near Invercargill and discovered around 2,000 cattle in conditions with substantial mud and insufficient water supply, according to MPI director of compliance and response, Glen Burrell. Five dairy heifers had to be euthanized by animal welfare inspectors on advice from private veterinarians. Two other heifers were euthanized by the farm manager. MPI stated that the farmer was directed under the Animal Welfare Act to relocate the cattle and received further guidance on reducing the impact of mud on the animals. A thorough veterinary assessment of all cattle is ongoing. MPI animal welfare inspectors collaborate with Environment Southland to monitor winter grazing, including participating in aerial surveillance flights over farmland throughout the region.  Actions can range from issuing directives to move stock or provide access to stand-off areas, to requiring additional feed or, in severe cases, pursuing prosecution. Growers support Hort NZ in levy referendum Fruit and vegetable growers have overwhelmingly voted to continue their support for Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ).  In the recent levy referendum, 97 percent of growers by value and 87 percent by number voted in favour of continuing the levy that funds HortNZ’s advocacy and support programs. The organisation aims to support the sector’s ambitious growth targets of doubling the farmgate value of production while protecting the environment and enhancing the prosperity of its people. Growers have expressed their support for HortNZ’s focus on key priorities such as water management, land use, the Resource Management Act, climate change, and adaptation.  The renewed levy, which remains at a maximum rate of 15 cents per $100 of sales, will apply for six years starting from March 2025.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.