Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)

Biosecurity New Zealand and Summerfruit NZ signed an Operational Agreement on readiness and response this week. This means we will work closely with the summerfruit sector under the Government Industry Agreement (GIA) to ensure we are prepared for any incursions that could significantly impact the industry. The GIA operates as a partnership between primary industry and government to manage pests and diseases that could badly damage New Zealand’s primary industries, economy and environment.

New pup on the block detector dog Reign had a “berry” large find, whilst clearing passengers at Auckland International Airport. Working the express lane in the arrivals hall, he indicated on a passenger’s carry-on bag, adamant there was something risky inside. Upon inspection a whopping 3.7kgs of fresh cherries, and 270g of fresh strawberries were found. The passenger was issued an infringement notice, and the fresh fruit was destroyed. Well done, Reign, keep up the excellent mahi 🙌

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) is supporting Foodstuffs Own Brands Limited in its recall of Pams brand Afghan Oat Baked Bars as the product may contain foreign matter (metal). The concern with these oat bars is that some metal from manufacturing equipment may have got into the product during the production process. If you have any Pams brand Afghan Oat Baked Bars with Batch L5017 and a Best Before of 16/01/2026, don’t eat it. You can return it to the place of purchase for a refund. If that’s not possible, throw it out. The affected products are sold at Four Square, Gilmours, New World, Pak’nSave, Social Supermarket and Trents nationwide. The products have been removed from store shelves and have not been exported. Full details 👉 https://bit.ly/4jkyDwF

🌿 Calling all native plant nurseries! PENNZ is now open for applications! We're proud to launch the Producer Extension Network New Zealand (PENNZ). A free, peer-led programme designed to help native plant producers grow their business through expert advice, mentoring and practical resources — no financial support, just the information and connections you need. What’s included? ✅ Four full-day, in-person workshops ✅ Business benchmarking tools ✅ Advice on nursery practices and plant health ✅ A collaborative peer network 🗓️ EOIs close 30 April 2025 📍 Three regional groups 🔗 Apply today at www.pennz.org.nz PENNZ is a collaboration between NZ Plant Producers Inc. (NZPPI) and Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service (TUR-NZFS). Let’s grow the future of native plant production together 🌿

Do you play a role in New Zealand’s food safety system? Have a read of this 👉 The New Zealand Food Safety Action Plan 2025–2027. The Action Plan outlines how NZFS will contribute to the MPI mission to grow the value of the country's food and fibre sector. It focuses on achieving three key outcomes: 🍔 New Zealand food is safe and suitable. 🚢 New Zealand has a thriving food economy. 🦺 New Zealand has a well-functioning food safety system. The Action Plan reflects our commitment to NZFS’ vision: New Zealand food is trusted by everyone, everywhere. Read it here: https://bit.ly/426tNMA

Happy birthday to our remarkable R-litter – Ripley, Roo, Rubix, Reign, and Ranger 🥳 These guys aren’t so little anymore, turning the big two. They’ve grown into an amazing quintet of biosecurity detector dogs. Let’s see where they’re at. The boys, Reign and Ranger, have been paired up with handlers and are out there keeping our borders safe from biosecurity risks. You may have already seen some of their finds on our page. The girls, Ripley, Roo, and Rubix, are all trained up and eager to start working. They are on the final step to be paired up with their two-legged partners. In the meantime, they have been keeping work-ready with training sessions, staying fit by going out for walks and swims in our pool, and enjoying downtime in the yards with their kennel mates. We can’t wait to see what their careers hold!

New Zealand Food Safety is supporting Daily Foods Co. Limited in its recall of Pickled Chilli Hot & Sour Seasoning and Spicy Perilla Leaf Seasoning due to the presence of undeclared allergens (gluten, wheat). Pickled Chilli Hot & Sour Seasoning 120g with a production date of 2024/10/21 and Spicy Perilla Leaf Seasoning 120g with a Production Date of 2024/12/06 are affected by this recall. New Zealand Food Safety have not received any notifications of associated allergic reaction. Full details here 👉 https://bit.ly/3QSCo0c

MPI Director-General Ray Smith wraps up his visit to China today. Over the last couple of days, he’s met with Vice-Minister Zhang Zhili of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) and Administrator Liu Guodong from the National Forestry Grassland Administration to discuss ongoing cooperation between New Zealand and China. Ray also caught up with New Zealand primary sector businesses, some of those working hard to promote and support New Zealand’s interests in China, and MPI’s Beijing-based team. MPI has staff in New Zealand and 11 key markets, including China, focused on building relationships, facilitating cooperation and keeping New Zealand’s primary sector exports flowing.

MPI’s Plant Health and Environment Laboratory (PHEL) scientists are working with researchers from Northwestern University (NU) in Illinois, to develop a low-cost diagnostic tool that could significantly improve food crop production in developing countries. The rapid test – like a Covid RAT test – uses a combination of chemistries to identify plant disease, and would enable growers to remove unhealthy plants in the field early in their growing season. This will result in increased crop production of important food sources such as maize. It will be particularly useful for growers in developing countries who don’t have access to conventional testing for disease and often unknowingly propagate from diseased plants, lowering the yield of their crops. So far, the tool has been trialled in New Zealand for detecting virus infection in symptomless tomato plants. It was also recently trialled on food crops in Kenya’s Maseno area where beans, sweet potato and maize are some of the main staple crops. Read more about this project here: https://bit.ly/3DW8t4j

Join us at the MPI and Science for Farmers site at South Island Ag Field Days. Here’s 5 things you won’t want to miss: 🔬 The latest science to optimise farming systems and support farming into the future. 🌱 Diverse pastures to help farmers future-proof pasture-based systems in a warming climate. 🐄 Information about more efficient, climate-friendly herds and flocks. 🛠️ The latest on the development of new tools for New Zealand farmers. 🗺️ Powerful online mapping tools for optimal sustainable land use. You can find us at site M 373. AgriZeroNZ, Massey University, AgResearch, Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC), Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre