Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Posted on

Proposed changes to the import health standard for bovine germplasm

Source:

Have your say

From 15 January to 15 March 2025, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invites comment on proposed changes to the Bovine Germplasm Import Health Standard (IHS).

The short code for the import health standard is BOVIGERM.GEN

Full details of the proposed changes are in the consultation documents.

What is being proposed?

The standard currently covers import conditions for bovine semen and bovine in vivo derived embryos. We are proposing an amendment to expand the scope to include bovine in vitro produced embryos in response to interest from importers and market trends. We are also proposing some minor updates to the existing import conditions for bovine semen and bovine in vivo derived embryos to align with WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health) recommendations and provide more clarity.

The proposed amendments

Overall, we are proposing to amend the standard by:

  • adding conditions for the importation of bovine in vitro produced embryos
  • removing the import permit requirement for all bovine germplasm
  • changing references of cattle to “animals” throughout the IHS to cover other relevant bovine species. More information about this change is in the ‘Bovine germplasm guidance document’.

For bovine semen, we’re proposing to:

  • add options for the management of enzootic bovine leukosis
  • clarify the test options for BVDV2
  • add semen testing and donor treatment options for the management of leptospirosis
  • change semen donor testing requirements for the management of Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis
  • remove the condition for donors to never have had a confirmed positive result for Q fever when semen is tested directly
  • remove the antibiotic treatment option for the management of Mycoplasma bovis in semen
  • add a definition for semen collection.

For bovine in vivo derived embryos, we’re proposing to:

  • clarify the test options for BVDV2
  • align the import conditions for lumpy skin disease with WOAH recommendations
  • add embryo testing and donor treatment options for the management of leptospirosis
  • remove the requirement for embryo donors to be free of TB signs 24 hours prior to collection
  • require the semen used to produce the embryos to meet the import conditions for Mycoplasma bovis.

Consultation documents

Draft Bovine Germplasm Import Health Standard [PDF, 500 KB]

Bovine germplasm IHS guidance document [PDF, 530 KB]

Risk management proposal for importing bovine germplasm [PDF, 561 KB]

Related documents

WTO notification [PDF, 80 KB]

Making your submission

Email your feedback on the draft before 5pm on 15 March 2025 to animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz

Make sure you include in your submission:

  • the title of the consultation document in the subject line of your email
  • your name and title, if applicable
  • your organisation’s name (if you’re submitting on behalf of an organisation)
  • your contact details (for example, phone number, address, and email).

While we prefer email, you can send your submission by post to:

Bovine germplasm IHS consultation, Animals and Animal Products Import Standards
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand.

All submissions received by the closing date will be considered before the amended import health standard (IHS) is issued. MPI may hold late submissions on file for consideration when the issued IHS is next revised or reviewed.

Steps to finalising the new IHS

After consultation on a draft import health standard, MPI publishes a provisional IHS.

If you made a submission during the consultation, you have 10 working days to notify the Director-General of MPI that you intend to request an independent review. Reviews are limited to whether specific scientific evidence was given sufficient consideration.

If no review is requested within 10 working days, then the provisional IHS is confirmed and the final IHS is issued. A 6-month transition period will be implemented during which time either the old or new import requirements can be used. After this period, the new import requirements in the IHS must be followed.

For more information about reviews refer to Section 24 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 – NZ Legislation

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

Legal background

MPI must consult with interested parties in accordance with section 23 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) and MPI’s consultation policy before issuing or amending (other than of minor or urgent nature) import health standards (IHS) under sections 24A and 24B of the Act.

An IHS specifies import requirements that must be met either in the country of origin or of export, or during transit, before biosecurity clearance can be given for the goods to enter New Zealand. MPI must ensure that these requirements are technically justified and provide an appropriate level of biosecurity protection.

Posted on

Draft Animal Products Notice: Dairy Preparedness and Response: Foot and Mouth Disease Incursion (Regulated Control Scheme)

Source:

Have your say

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is seeking feedback on a proposed Animal Products Notice: Dairy Preparedness and Response: Foot and Mouth Disease Incursion (Regulated Control Scheme).

The purpose of the Notice is to enable a regulated control scheme for dairy processors for export, so that processors can maintain business continuity with a high level of assurance in the event of an incursion of foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV).

Background to this consultation

In March of 2023, MPI started working to develop a mechanism that would allow milk collection, transport, processing, and export to continue in the event of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD), with the following objectives:

  • to facilitate trade negotiation with a high degree of assurance for trading partners
  • to enable export dairy processors to continue operations with minimal disruption and to obtain an exemption from movement controls
  • to provide clear and scientifically sound measures to prevent transmission between farms and contamination of the product from dairy operations.

To help achieve these objectives, MPI has developed this Notice. It enables a regulated control scheme under the Animal Products Act 1999 and sets out export requirements for dairy processors that supply their products overseas.

Discussion document

Animal Products Notice: Milk Collection and Processing for Export During a Foot and Mouth Disease Virus Incursion (Regulated Control Scheme) [PDF, 261 KB]

Draft Animal Products Notice

Dairy Preparedness and Response: Foot and Mouth Disease Incursion (Regulated Control Scheme) [PDF, 508 KB]

Making your submission

Submissions close at 5pm on 14 February 2025.

To help make your submission, we encourage you to use our submission template.

Submission template [DOCX, 65 KB]

Email your submission to animal.products@mpi.govt.nz

While we prefer email, you can post your submission to:

New Zealand Food Safety
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.

What to include in your submission

If you are using the feedback form, make sure to include:

  • the name of the consultation document you are submitting on
  • your name and title
  • your organisation’s name (if you are submitting on behalf of an organisation, and whether your submission represents the whole organisation or a section of it)
  • your contact details (such as phone number, address, and email).

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

Posted on

Proposed changes to the import health standard for importing cats and dogs

Source:

Update – 5 March

The closing date for this consultation has been extended. We’re now accepting submissions until 5pm on Friday 21 March.

Have your say

From 13 January to 21 March 2025, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invites comment on proposed changes to the Cat and Dog Import Health Standard (CATSDOGS.GEN).

In 2021, we also asked for your feedback about changes to the standard.

However, those proposed changes were not implemented because of concerns about fraudulence relating to the rabies and residency import requirements.

Since then, we’ve reviewed the rabies and residency requirements and completed further risk work on Brucella canis and Babesia spp.

2021 consultation: Proposed new import health standard (IHS) for cats and dogs

Changes to the proposed IHS since the 2021 consultation are outlined in the ‘Review of submissions’. Full details are in the consultation documents.

Summary of proposals

In this consultation, the proposed amendments cover 4 topics.

Brucella canis

Increase the timeframe for testing.

For mated dogs:

  • test the dog that naturally mated the dog for export, or the dog that produced semen for artificial breeding
  • test a sample of semen used to breed the dog for export.

Babesia gibsoni and rossi

  • Increase the timeframe for testing.  
  • Increase the number of PCR tests from 2 to 3 and reduce the timeframe between each test.
  • Test dogs younger than 6 months of age with PCR tests.
  • Post-arrival inspection includes a check for evidence of recent bites.

Pre-export identification check

Addition of pre-export identification checks by an official veterinarian prior to the rabies titration test.

Transit

Remove the previous proposal to allow transit through non-categorised countries.

Consultation documents 

Import Health Standard: Cats and Dogs (IHS) [PDF, 1.5 MB]

Risk Management Proposal (RMP) [PDF, 591 KB]

Related documents

Review of submissions (from first consultation in 2021) [PDF, 696 KB]

Current Import Health Standard for Cats and Dogs: Cats and Dogs [PDF, 287 KB]

Current guidance document: Cats and dogs [PDF, 521 KB]

WTO notification [PDF, 158 KB]

Making your submission

Email your feedback on the draft before 5pm on 21 March 2025 to animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz

Make sure you include in your submission:

  • the title of the consultation document in the subject line of your email
  • your name and title, if applicable
  • your organisation’s name (if you’re submitting on behalf of an organisation)
  • your contact details (for example, phone number, address, and email).

While we prefer email, you can send your submission by post to:

Animal Approvals and Advice
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand.

All submissions received by the closing date will be considered before the amended import health standard (IHS) is issued. MPI may hold late submissions on file for consideration when the issued IHS is next revised or reviewed.

Any subsequent changes to the IHS will be noted in a second review of submissions prior to the IHS being finalised.

Steps to finalising the new IHS

After consultation on a draft import health standard, MPI publishes a provisional IHS.

If you made a submission during the consultation, you have 10 working days to notify the Director-General of MPI that you intend to request an independent review. Reviews are limited to whether specific scientific evidence was given sufficient consideration.

If no review is requested within 10 working days, then the provisional IHS is confirmed and the final IHS is issued. A 6-month transition period will be implemented during which time either the old or new import requirements can be used. After this period, the new import requirements in the IHS must be followed.

For more information about reviews refer to Section 24 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 – NZ Legislation

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

Legal background

MPI must consult with interested parties in accordance with section 23 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) and MPI’s consultation policy before issuing or amending (other than of minor or urgent nature) import health standards (IHS) under sections 24A and 24B of the Act.

An IHS specifies import requirements that must be met either in the country of origin or of export, or during transit, before biosecurity clearance can be given for the goods to enter New Zealand. MPI must ensure that these requirements are technically justified and provide an appropriate level of biosecurity protection.

Posted on

Controls lifted at poultry farm after virus eradicated

Source:

Movement controls have been lifted from Mainland Poultry’s Hillgrove Farm in Otago, after the successful eradication of H7N6 strain of high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) says Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) chief veterinary officer Dr Mary Van Andel.

When HPAI H7N6 was detected in poultry at the property in early December, the Ministry for Primary Industries moved swiftly to stamp out the virus.

“While there is still work to be done, the lifting of movement controls is a significant milestone in the response and means that Mainland Poultry can begin the process of returning to business,” says Dr van Andel.

“We’re grateful to Mainland Poultry, which did the right thing in notifying us as soon as an exotic disease was suspected and for working with us in partnership to successfully stamp out this disease.”

MPI immediately put strict movement controls on the property to prevent goods or anything else that might be carrying the virus leaving the property.

Dr van Andel says more than 5,600 tests were carried out on samples from poultry and wild birds, including from 36 flocks across 5 farms linked to Mainland’s Hillgrove property. HPAI was not found anywhere other than Hillgrove, giving confidence that the disease had been contained and stamped out.

Chickens on the farm were humanely euthanised and disposed of in a secure landfill, along with eggs, litter and manure from the farm. This was followed by an extensive cleaning and disinfection process.

“The processes we have followed – depopulation and disposal, decontamination of the site and extensive surveillance – give us confidence that the virus has been eradicated.”

MPI staff will continue to support Mainland as the farm is repopulated.

“Good progress is being made to restore trade, with around $300 million of trade in poultry products recovered to date.”

MPI has worked with overseas government counterparts and industry partners in New Zealand to meet market requirements and has also proposed alternative assurances to some markets. MPI continues to work towards the reopening of trade for others.

Dr van Andel says testing indicates that the infection at Hillgrove is likely to have occurred after free-range laying hens foraging outside were exposed to wild birds with a low pathogenicity (LPAI) virus strain, which then mutated in the hens to become HPAI.

“This is the first time such an event in New Zealand has been documented and our first case of HPAI. We’ve learned a lot from this response that will help us to prepare for HPAI H5N1 if it spreads here.”

Read more about the latest update at our website: A strain of bird flu (H7N6) in Otago

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Posted on

Commercial fishers landing exception for legal-size pāua

Source:

Consultation background

Under the Fisheries Act 1996, commercial fishers are prohibited from returning or abandoning to the sea or other waters, any fish or shellfish that are subject to the Quota Management System (QMS). However, the Act allows for exceptions to the rule.

See section 72A(2) of the Fisheries Act 1996 – NZ Legislation

Fisheries New Zealand is assessing whether a commercial landing exception should be provided for hand-gathered pāua (blackfoot and yellowfoot) that are above the minimum legal size. This would allow commercial fishers to return legal-size pāua to the sea based on an acceptable likelihood of survival.

Have your say

In New Zealand, pāua are exclusively taken by the highly selective method of hand gathering. Commercial fishers use custom-made blunt tools to remove pāua from reefs. They follow industry developed voluntary handling and mitigation practices to reduce likelihood of damage to pāua. Best available information indicates that post-release survival of commercially harvested pāua is high, which is further supported by the use of voluntary best handling practices.

For these reasons, Fisheries New Zealand is proposing an exception to allow commercial fishers to return hand-gathered pāua that is above the minimum legal size.

We’d like your feedback on this proposal. Consultation is open from 15 January to 12 February 2025. 

Consultation document

Commercial landing exception: Pāua [PDF, 499 KB]

Related documents

Commercial landing exception reviews: Operational guidelines [PDF, 386 KB]

Commercial landing exceptions: Policy context and legal overview [PDF, 358 KB]

Making your submission

Email your feedback by 5pm on 12 February 2025 to FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz

A template is available to help you complete your submission. It includes questions you may like to answer to help you with your submission and further space for any other feedback.

Submissions template [DOCX, 85 KB]

While we prefer email, you can post written submissions to:

Fisheries Management – National Direction
Fisheries New Zealand
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.

What to include

Make sure you tell us in your submission:

  • your name and title
  • your organisation’s name (if you are submitting on behalf of an organisation)
  • your contact details (such as phone number, address, and email).

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

Posted on

Commercial fishers landing exception for legal-size Bluff oysters

Source:

Consultation background

Under the Fisheries Act 1996, commercial fishers are prohibited from returning or abandoning to the sea or other waters, any fish or shellfish that are subject to the Quota Management System (QMS). However, the Act allows for exceptions to the rule.

See section 72A(2) of the Fisheries Act 1996 – NZ Legislation

Fisheries New Zealand is assessing whether a commercial landing exception should be provided for dredge oysters taken from Foveaux Strait (OYU5, Bluff oysters) that are above the minimum legal size. This would allow commercial fishers to return legal-size Bluff oysters to the sea based on an acceptable likelihood of survival.

Have your say

Based on physiological characteristics, such as their ability to survive prolonged air exposure, best available information indicates that, when handled appropriately, post-release survival of commercially caught dredge oysters is high. This is supported by international research.

All other dredge oyster stocks have a commercial landing exception allowing commercial fishers to return legal-size dredge oysters to the sea. 

For these reasons, Fisheries New Zealand is proposing an exception to allow commercial fishers to return Bluff oysters that are above the minimum legal size to the sea.

We’d like your feedback on this proposal. Consultation is open from 15 January to 12 February 2025. 

Consultation document

Commercial landing exception: Foveaux Strait (Bluff) oysters [PDF, 480 KB]

Related documents

Commercial landing exception reviews: Operational guidelines [PDF, 386 KB]

Commercial landing exceptions: Policy context and legal overview [PDF, 358 KB]

Making your submission

Email your feedback by 5pm on 12 February 2025 to FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz

A template is available to help you complete your submission. It includes questions you may like to answer to help you with your submission and further space for any other feedback.

Submissions template [DOCX, 85 KB]

While we prefer email, you can post written submissions to:

Fisheries Management – National Direction
Fisheries New Zealand
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.

What to include

Make sure you tell us in your submission:

  • your name and title
  • your organisation’s name (if you are submitting on behalf of an organisation)
  • your contact details (such as phone number, address, and email).

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

Posted on

Frozen anchovies recalled due to the presence of a marine biotoxin

Source:

New Zealand Food Safety is supporting Pendarves Ltd in its recall of a specific range of imported frozen anchovies due to the presence of a marine biotoxin.

“Testing of the product has found the presence of domoic acid, a neurotoxin produced by certain algae that can cause amnesic shellfish poisoning in humans,” says New Zealand Food Safety’s acting deputy director-general Claire McDonald.

“These products should not be eaten. You can return them to the place of purchase for a refund. If that’s not possible, throw it out.”

The affected products were sold at a small number of supermarkets and specialty stores.

Visit New Zealand Food Safety’s recall page for up-to-date information and photographs of the affected product.

Food recall: Imported whole frozen anchovies

New Zealand Food Safety has not received any notifications of associated illness.

Symptoms are mainly gastrointestinal, especially at low toxin levels. These usually appear within 24 hours of eating and may include vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps.

In more serious cases there can be neurological symptoms. These can take up to 3 days to develop and can range from headaches and dizziness to memory loss and, for severe cases, coma.

If you have consumed any of this product and are concerned for your health, contact your health professional, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free advice.

The products have been removed from store shelves and have not been exported.

The vast majority of food sold in New Zealand is safe, but sometimes problems can occur. Help keep yourself and your family safe by subscribing to our recall alerts.

Information on how to subscribe is on the New Zealand Food Safety food recall page.

More information about illness caused by algae, including amnesic shellfish poisoning, can be found on our website.

What is toxic shellfish poisoning?

For general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Posted on

Successful end to fruit fly response on Auckland’s North Shore

Source:

Controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in the Auckland North Shore suburb of Birkdale have been lifted after no further evidence of the Oriental fruit fly was found in the area, says Mike Inglis, Biosecurity New Zealand commissioner North.

The decision to end the operation follows 7 weeks of intensive fruit fly trapping and inspections of hundreds of kilograms of fruit.

Mr Inglis thanked residents and businesses in the affected area for their support of the movement controls, keeping an eye out for fruit flies, and safely disposing of fruit in provided bins.

“Getting to this point wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the North Shore community. I can’t stress enough how vital this work has been to protect our horticulture sector.

“We are satisfied that with no further detections, the Controlled Area Notice restrictions can be lifted, and response operations closed.”

The biosecurity wheelie bins that have dotted the neighbourhood will now be removed and road signs will be dismantled.

“Our nationwide routine surveillance will continue with our system of nearly 8,000 fruit fly traps spread across the country and more than 4,600 of these in the Auckland area. These traps are set for 3 exotic fruit fly species of concern: the Queensland fruit fly, Mediterranean fruit fly, and Oriental fruit flies.”

Mr Inglis says Biosecurity New Zealand staff will be out in the community today, handing out flyers about the response closure and personally thanking residents and business owners for their contribution to the effort.

“I’d also like to acknowledge the good work of our people and our partners across the horticulture sector. By working together, and responding quickly, we have managed this situation well.”

Key figures

  • More than 2,000 individual visits were made to check the 116 fruit fly traps in the Birkdale area throughout the response.
  • Over 470 biosecurity bins were distributed in the community to collect produce waste for safe disposal.
  • More than 954kg of fruit were collected and examined for any signs of fruit fly eggs or larvae.
  • More than 70 Biosecurity New Zealand staff were involved throughout the response.

For further information and general enquiries, email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Posted on

Restauranteur placed on 6 months home detention, fined $20,000 for selling recalled food

Source:

Update – 16 April 2025

Ms Liu was resentenced on 16 April 2025 at the Christchurch District Court.

The summary of facts before the sentencing judge was the incorrect summary and not the summary filed by the parties. The court held that a slight reduction to the sentence was required in the interests of justice.

The home detention sentence was reduced by 2 weeks to 5 and a half months and the fine reduced by $5,000 to $15,000.

A Christchurch restauranteur has been placed on 6 months’ home detention and fined $20,000 after selling food that had been recalled.

In November last year, Xinchen Liu, the owner of Samurai Bowl in Colombo Street, pleaded guilty to one charge under the Food Act for trading in food that was subject to a recall because of unsafe levels of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria being found in some frozen meals.

Ms Liu was sentenced in the Christchurch District Court yesterday (April 8 2025) following a successful prosecution by New Zealand Food Safety.

“The bacteria found in the food can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhoea. The consequences can be serious for people with compromised immune systems,” says Jenny Bishop, New Zealand Food Safety acting deputy director-general.

“Food recalls are conducted to protect consumers from potential harm. People rightly expect food businesses sell food that is safe and suitable.”

A verifier observed routine testing results undertaken by the business, which found unsafe levels of the bacteria S. aureus in samples of frozen ramen meals.

MPI’s New Zealand Food Safety was notified, as required under the Food Act. The bacteria find led to a recall on 1 June 2019 of all frozen Samurai Bowl ramen meals made since Ms Liu had taken over the business.

Ms Liu confirmed the recall had gone ahead, providing evidential pictures to food safety officers and the recall was closed off in August that year by New Zealand Food Safety.

“Most people do the right thing, but Ms Liu didn’t do as she claimed and stored the meals in freezers. Some of them were defrosted and made available to staff.

“Miso soup and meat from recalled meals was also served to customers at her restaurant.

“This was deliberate and reckless behaviour and Ms Liu’s actions had potential to cause sickness and health risk for a number of customers,” Ms Bishop says.

Ms Liu received the 6 months’ home detention for both the food safety charge and another unrelated matter.

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Posted on

Farmer banned from owning farm animals for 2 years, placed on 6 months community detention over lack of food and welfare for sheep

Source:

A Woodville farmer has been banned from owning or being in charge of farm animals and placed on 6 months community detention over a lack of food and welfare that led to 55 sheep being euthanised and others suffering.

Noel Thomas Cunningham (64) was sentenced (7 April 2025) in the Palmerston North District on 3 charges he pleaded guilty to under the Animal Welfare Act, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

“When animal welfare inspectors visited the farm, they found infrastructure including fencing and water reticulation, particularly on the 40-hectare sheep block, showed maintenance and management had been lacking for some time. Most of the sheep fences were not stock proof and pasture was tired and indicative of poor grazing management.  An open fronted shed containing multiple sheep carcasses, along with shallow graves in an adjacent paddock indicated a history of poor care and management of the sheep,” says MPI manager animal welfare and NAIT compliance central, Gray Harrison.

“Many of the existing sheep were underweight and displaying signs of lice infestation, and some had to be euthanised to prevent further stress and suffering.

“This level of neglect is unacceptable. When we find evidence of it, we will take action.”

An MPI animal welfare inspector and 2 veterinarians inspected a total of 322 animals. They found 25 recently dead sheep and a number of dead newborn lambs. 55 sheep had to be euthanised because they were so thin and affected by parasites. 90 ewes that were also very thin were not euthanised because it would have compromised the health of their lambs, and the welfare needs of 179 other sheep were not being met.

“Mr Cunningham was an experienced farmer, yet we found no evidence of sheep management or routine husbandry being carried out. Some of the sheep that died were found near water courses, stuck in mud and at various stages of decomposition. Most farmers do the right thing for their animals. Mr Cunningham failed the basics – providing quality feed and good access to water, along with timely care,” says Gray Harrison.

Animal welfare is everyone’s responsibility and MPI strongly encourages any member of the public who is aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty to report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone 0800 00 83 33.

For further information and general enquiries, email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.