MAF Policy News
Issue 15, May 2009
ISSN 1177-701X
Vets Bonding Scheme launched
Applications for the Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians opened in March; aimed at encouraging new vet graduates to stay in eligible practices by providing a taxable payment of $11 000 for every year, up to five years.
The scheme will apply to rural areas considered to have the greatest need based on the significance of livestock in the region and the number of veterinarians and recruitment and retention difficulties. Applicants must have completed their veterinary science qualification within 12 months of applying for the scheme. In the first year of the scheme, graduates who completed their qualification in 2005 or later can also apply if they are already working in an eligible understaffed, rural area.
Targeting veterinarians who are working in mixed practices and practices based on production animal veterinary medicine, the scheme will assist New Zealand in maintaining world-class standards in biosecurity, animal welfare and food safety.
The first year of the scheme will be a transition year to allow MAF and vet organisations to work closely together on gathering further information and reviewing eligibility requirements for the scheme.
For more information
- Go here
Afforestation Grant Scheme update
The provisionally approved grantees for the second round of the Afforestation Grant Scheme (AGS) were notified during the first week of April.
The AGS is a contestable fund designed to encourage more planting of trees in small forests and on farms. It was announced in 2007 by the Government as part of its package of climate change initiatives, and offers an alternative to the Emissions Trading Scheme (Forestry).
Thirteen tenders were provisionally approved from the last tender round. These provisionally approved grants have a combined area of approximately 1400 hectares and a total value of approximately $1.4 million. Grants were provisionally awarded for a range of proposals; from pine forestry regimes to aerial seeding of manuka for honey production. The average tender amount approved in the high sequestration pool was $2029 and the average in the low sequestration pool was $639. The next tender round for the AGS closes 30 April.
For more information
- To read further go here
Dairying and Clean Streams Accord update
On 12 March 2009, Agriculture Minister David Carter released the 2007/08 Dairying and Clean Streams Accord: Snapshot of Progress.
The report shows dairy farmers meeting the targets in the Accord in most areas. The Minister welcomed the dairy industry's efforts to help clean up rivers and streams and also sent a strong message to those who don't toe the line - noting that dairy farmers who ignore effluent disposal requirements are testing the patience of all New Zealanders and risk damaging the reputation of the dairy industry as a whole.
The Accord was agreed between Fonterra Co-operative Group, the Minister for the Environment, the Minister of Agriculture, and regional councils on 26 May 2003. Some of the key findings in the latest report show:
- continued progress being made towards targets over 2007/08;
- the level of full compliance with regional council dairy effluent rules and conditions varies widely between regions;
- nearly 99 percent of Fonterra suppliers now have a nutrient budget;
- progress against the wetland target is not reported because only five of the thirteen regional or unitary councils covered by the Accord have identified regionally significant wetlands.
For the 2008/09 season, Accord Partners will continue to support suppliers to:
- increase the percentage of waterways with total stock exclusion;
- raise suppliers' understanding of the use and benefits of nutrient budgeting; accelerate the uptake and implementation of full nutrient management plans;
- achieve higher levels of compliance with regional plan and resource consent requirements for effluent management;
- re-invigorate Accord coverage of significant wetlands.
Figure 1: Year by year progress against the Dairying and Clean Streams Accord targets
For more information
MAF approves increased ECFP grant rates for 2009
MAF has recently approved an increase in grant rates under the East Coast Forestry Project (ECFP) for applications in 2009. MAF provides grant incentives to approved erosion control treatments in the Gisborne district. Grants are available for forestry, indigenous reversion and pole planting that target the most severely eroding land in the region.
The rise in grant rates is approximately 10 percent across forestry and indigenous reversion treatments, with pole planting remaining at 70 percent of "actual and reasonable costs" being reimbursed by MAF. Further incentives are provided via a distance factor for forestry treatments and a gully top-up for forestry and reversion treatments that target the most active gullies. The rise reflects the fact that rates have been static over 2007 and 2008, and the increase ensures the grant rates are relative to the current year. MAF will be reviewing these grant rates on an annual basis.
ECFP applications for blocks over 50 hectares close on 30 April 2009 and applications for blocks less than 50 hectares close on 30 June 2009.
For more information
- To read more go here
New publications
Forestry production and trade for the December quarter 2008
The December 2008 quarter showed declining production of all forest products, except for paper products, compared to the same quarter last year. In contrast, forestry export volume results were mixed: sawn timber, logs and plywood export volumes rose while wood pulp, fibreboard and particleboard export volumes fell compared to the December 2007 quarter. Total export earnings for the year ending December 2008 increased by 3.6 percent to NZ$3444 million.
- To view or download a copy of the statistical release go here
- To receive a printed copy email policy.publications@maf.govt.nz
Auckland forest industry and wood availability forecasts 2009
This report is part of a series on regional forest industries and wood availability forecasts being produced by MAF to assist forestry industries, planning practitioners, and infrastructure and service providers in assessing wood processing opportunities, resource management planning, and infrastructure issues.
- To read or download this report go here
- To receive a copy email policy.publications@maf.govt.nz
A Forestry Sector Study
This comprehensive Forestry Sector Study report provides an in-depth and future-focused evaluation of the forestry sector while identifying major drivers, opportunities and issues. It aims to discuss and foster understanding that will lead to informed decisions for a prosperous, sustainable and innovative forestry sector.
- This publication is available here
- To receive a copy email policy.publications@maf.govt.nz
Contact for Enquiries
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