Portfolio: Agriculture

Primary Growth Partnership nears $500M

Massi — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:15:00 +0000

David Carter | Agriculture

Agriculture Minister David Carter has welcomed today’s announcement of another successful Primary Growth Partnership bid which lifts the total funding awarded to nearly $500 million. The Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) is to fund half of a $19.5 million programme led by Ballance Agri-Nutrients to transform traditional fertiliser use, as well as reduce nitrate run-off on dairy farms. ...

Proposals invited for irrigation fund

Massi — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 01:10:00 +0000

David Carter | Agriculture

Planning for New Zealand’s irrigation infrastructure steps up the pace with the Irrigation Acceleration Fund now open for business, says Agriculture Minister David Carter. The Irrigation Acceleration Fund was announced in this year’s Budget and provides $35 million over five years to support the development of proposals to the ‘investment ready’ prospectus stage. ...

Forum to progress next stage in water reforms

Massi — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 01:05:00 +0000

Nick Smith | Agriculture

The Land and Water Forum has been engaged by the Government to progress the next stage of policy work on setting limits on water quality, quantity and allocation, Environment Minister Nick Smith and Agriculture Minister David Carter announced today. ...

Red Meat Sector Conference

Stephanie — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 21:55:00 +0000

David Carter | Agriculture

When I spoke to you 12 months ago there was quite a lot of despondency within the industry. There were calls for greater unity and greater cooperation. It is, therefore, good to see both the Meat Industry Association and Beef and Lamb New Zealand hosting this conference together. It sends a clear signal to your industry that better collaboration is real and not rhetoric. ...

Sustainable Farming Fund open to aquaculture

Massi — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 21:35:00 +0000

David Carter | Agriculture

A government fund that supports community-led growth and innovation in the rural sector has been widened to include aquaculture. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) will now consider applications for projects that support economic and environmental performance in the marine and land-based aquaculture sector. ...

Launch of New Zealand Poplar and Willow Research Trust

Stephanie — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 06:15:00 +0000

David Carter | Agriculture

It’s a pleasure to be here tonight to formally launch the New Zealand Poplar and Willow Research Trust. Can I take this opportunity to publicly congratulate Bruce Wills on his appointment as President of Federated Farmers. Bruce, I look forward to working with you in your new role. Can I also acknowledge Grant and Bernie Weller from the Waimea Valley in Southland – this year’s Ballance Farm Environment Award National winners, who are here tonight. ...

Speech to Horticulture New Zealand Conference, Rotorua Energy Events Centre

Stephanie — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 03:22:00 +0000

David Carter | Agriculture

(Note: Owing to bad weather closing Christchurch Airport, Hon David Carter’s speech was delivered by Simon Bridges, MP for Tauranga) It’s a pleasure to be here to open Horticulture New Zealand’s annual conference. I’d like to acknowledge the directors of Horticulture New Zealand, growers and supporters of the horticulture industry. Your theme this year is Capturing Value, Creating Profit. ...

Submissions sought on raw milk rules

Massi — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 02:03:00 +0000

David Carter | Agriculture

Consultation on the rules by which independent milk processors can access raw milk from Fonterra is now underway, Agriculture Minister David Carter announced today. The Raw Milk Regulations form a key part of the decade-old dairy industry regulatory regime. “The Government’s goal is to promote fair and efficient dairy markets in New Zealand and after 10 years, it’s timely to revisit the raw milk regulations,” says Mr Carter. ...

Joint Statement on Global Research Alliance

Stephanie — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 23:25:00 +0000

David Carter | Agriculture

France and New Zealand working together for a more sustainable agriculture Bruno Le Maire, French Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries, Rural Affairs and Town and Country Planning and New Zealand Agriculture Minister David Carter, welcome the signing by 31 countries of the Charter for the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases in Rome on 24 June. ...

Statement to UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Conference, Rome

Stephanie — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 21:48:00 +0000

David Carter | Agriculture

Mr Chairman, Secretary-General, distinguished delegates. Firstly, I would like to convey New Zealand’s warmest congratulations to José Graziano da Silva for his successful election to Director-General. New Zealand looks forward to working closely and constructively with him. The election of a new Director-General could not have come at a more important time for FAO. ...

New Zealand launches $25M fund for GHG research

Massi — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 22:11:00 +0000

David Carter | Agriculture

New Zealand is establishing a competitive international NZ$25 million fund to support research on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from pastoral farming. Agriculture Minister David Carter will today announce the New Zealand Fund for Global Partnerships in Livestock Emissions Research at the inaugural ministerial meeting of the Global Research Alliance in Rome. The fund draws on the $45 million New Zealand committed to the Alliance in 2009, and it will be allocated over four years. ...

Countries sign up to Global Research Alliance

Massi — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 22:07:00 +0000

David Carter | Agriculture

More than 30 countries will today officially sign up to the New Zealand-led Global Research Alliance on agricultural greenhouse gases at a Ministerial Summit in Rome. The Alliance brings together countries with a mutual interest in researching ways to produce more food while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The inaugural ministerial meeting to formally approve the Charter, or working methods of the Alliance, will be chaired by International Climate Change Negotiations Minister, Tim Groser. Agriculture Minister David Carter leads the New Zealand delegation. ...

Minister to travel to Italy and UK

francistill — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 02:48:00 +0000

David Carter | Agriculture

Agriculture and Economic Development Minister David Carter will represent New Zealand at the inaugural Global Research Alliance Ministerial Summit in Rome next week, and travel to Milan and London. While in Rome, Mr Carter will also lead the New Zealand delegation to the 37th meeting of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) where he will deliver New Zealand’s Ministerial Statement and participate in the election of the new Director-General of the FAO. ...

Animal welfare strategy moves ahead

Stephanie — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:03:00 +0000

David Carter | Agriculture

Agriculture Minister David Carter has today announced steps to further improve New Zealand’s animal welfare system. An advisory group is being formed to oversee the development of a national animal welfare strategy, to feed into a review of the Animal Welfare Act. "New Zealand has one of the best animal welfare systems in the world, but we are always looking at improvement. The Act is now more than a decade old and needs to reflect changing practices and attitudes," says Mr Carter. ...

New Zealand Federated Farmers High Country Conference

Stephanie — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 04:57:00 +0000

David Carter | Agriculture

Welcome to Christchurch. For many of you, this is probably the first time you have been here since the two earthquakes. I’m sure you have seen for yourselves some of the damage to our city as you made your way here today. Being Christchurch born and bred, this has been a distressing and challenging time. But the way all New Zealanders have joined together to help Canterbury through these tough times has been truly humbling. ...

Employment scheme cleans up Hawkes Bay

francistill — Mon, 16 May 2011 04:16:00 +0000

David Carter | Agriculture

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett and Agriculture Minister David Carter have activated Enhanced Taskforce Green to clean up parts of Hawkes Bay recently damaged by severe flooding. “This means around 48 people, many of whom are currently on benefits, will get to work helping clear debris and repair damage to property,” says Ms Bennett. “Around 120 farms in the Wairoa, Hastings and Central Hawkes Bay area are affected and urgently need some extra hands to do the work,” says Mr Carter. ...

PGP funding positive sign for honey industry

Massi — Mon, 09 May 2011 22:56:00 +0000

David Carter | Agriculture

A successful bid by a Manuka honey industry consortium for Primary Growth Partnership funding is a sign the industry has the potential to grow significantly, says Agriculture Minister David Carter. The Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) is to fund half of a $1.7 million research programme proposed by the consortium to increase the reliability of supply and volume of medical grade Manuka honey. ...

Next steps on water reform

francistill — Mon, 09 May 2011 03:02:00 +0000

Nick Smith | Budget 2011

The Government has agreed to a forward work programme on water reform that will involve the Land and Water Forum, iwi and ongoing analysis by officials, Environment Minister Nick Smith, Agriculture Minister David Carter and Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples say. ...

Budget 2011: Lifting investment in irrigation

francistill — Mon, 09 May 2011 02:59:00 +0000

David Carter | Budget 2011

Agriculture Minister David Carter today announced an expanded irrigation fund to support the development of new water harvesting, storage and distribution infrastructure. Budget 2011 will allocate $35 million over five years for the Irrigation Acceleration Fund, to support the development of irrigation infrastructure proposals to the ‘investment-ready’ prospectus stage. ...

A fresh start for fresh water

francistill — Mon, 09 May 2011 02:54:00 +0000

Nick Smith | Budget 2011

Environment Minister Nick Smith and Agriculture Minister David Carter today announced the Government's fresh water policy package saying improved water management is needed to grow the economy while better caring for our rivers, lakes and aquifers. “This balanced package is about getting the right rules and funding in place to support irrigation development and economic growth, while ensuring protection of the environment,” the Ministers said. ...

Fresh Start for Fresh Water

francistill — Mon, 09 May 2011 02:49:00 +0000

Nick Smith | Budget 2011

Fresh Start for Fresh Water Water Policy: One page overview (PDF) The National-led Government is taking action to improve fresh water management in New Zealand. Our Fresh Water Package is about maximising our economic opportunities while protecting our environment. Water is New Zealand’s most plentiful natural resource. It gives us a competitive advantage over other countries, particularly in our primary and tourism industries. ...

Address to Annual Fonterra Network Conference

Stephanie — Tue, 03 May 2011 23:36:00 +0000

David Carter | Agriculture

The Christchurch earthquake – while a poignant reminder of the fragility of human life – also highlighted how well a small country like ours can rally around to respond to such a catastrophic event. Fonterra was quickly at the forefront of this response, contributing much-needed drinking water, as well as a very substantial donation to the relief and recovery effort. As a Cantabrian, I want to personally thank you for that. ...

Government extends relief to storm-hit farmers

Stephanie — Tue, 03 May 2011 05:05:00 +0000

David Carter | Agriculture

Agriculture Minister David Carter has announced that farmers hit by the severe storm in Hawke’s Bay are to get assistance from the Government. Pasture loss and damage to farm infrastructure is serious enough to declare a medium-level adverse event in the area, triggering government relief measures. ...

Unlocking the potential of Maori agribusiness

francistill — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 05:59:00 +0000

David Carter | Agriculture

Two reports to guide the Government’s work in unlocking the potential of Maori agribusiness have been released by Agriculture Minister David Carter and Maori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples. “The Government has identified Maori agribusiness as a key priority and these reports support our work in targeting opportunities to lift the productivity of Maori land and agribusiness,” says Mr Carter. ...

Dairy farmers beginning to get the message on pollution

Massi — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

David Carter | Agriculture

Agriculture Minister David Carter says dairy farmers are slowly taking heed of his challenge to lift their game when it comes to pollution. Following today’s release of the annual Dairying and Clean Streams Accord Snapshot of Progress, Mr Carter says that while progress could be faster, the message is gradually getting through to those farmers who have struggled with effluent compliance, and are now looking to their industry bodies and regional councils for support ...

FarmSafe Industry Leaders Forum

Stephanie — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 21:15:00 +0000

David Carter | Agriculture

The Christchurch earthquake has obviously been dominating everyone’s thoughts over the last three weeks. As a Cantabrian, my heart is very much with the people of Christchurch. We are made of stern stuff, but we’ve been well and truly tested in recent months. Prime Minister John Key has said this is not just Canterbury’s test, it is New Zealand’s test – and I know we will come through this. ...

NZ establishes major GHG fellowship programme

francistill — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 03:47:00 +0000

David Carter | Agriculture

Agriculture Minister David Carter and the Minister for International Climate Change Negotiations Tim Groser have announced a fellowship programme as part of New Zealand’s efforts on the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases. The Global Research Alliance Senior Scientist (GRASS) Award will support scientists from New Zealand and from other Alliance countries to undertake exchanges on research projects into agricultural GHG mitigation, for up to six months. ...

Merger creates one voice for primary industries

Massi — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 22:06:00 +0000

David Carter | Agriculture

Agriculture and Forestry Minister David Carter has welcomed the plan to merge the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry with the Ministry of Fisheries. ...

Agriculture Minister praises farmer volunteers

francistill — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 07:32:00 +0000

David Carter | Earthquake Recovery

The arrival of hundreds of farmers over the weekend to help in Christchurch is a huge boost to the earthquake cleanup, says Agriculture Minister David Carter. “Federated Farmers is doing an excellent job of rallying farmers from as far away as the central North Island, Dunedin and the West Coast to pitch in and help with this mammoth task. “Today, 800 volunteers headed to New Brighton to shovel silt from properties and to help clear sections. They are all using their own gear and many want to stay as long as the job takes. ...

An important milestone

KaraTait — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 21:00:00 +0000

David Carter | Agriculture

Good morning. Thank you, for the opportunity to attend the inaugural conference of the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre – it’s an important milestone. We are all aware that the world is facing many challenges - balancing economic aspirations alongside environmental stewardship is one challenge, food security is another. ...