Introduction
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) is responsible for providing the Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Forestry, Minister for Rural Affairs and Minister of Biosecurity with policy advice on a wide range of issues. This advice, covering the full value chain from resource base to markets, is designed to help create prosperous, sustainable and innovative agriculture, food and forestry sectors that support a vibrant and healthy New Zealand society, environment and economy. Where there is a lack of information MAF may seek to contract a research group to provide it. This type of research, which provides information to assist in policy development and implementation, is known as “operational research”.
The agriculture, horticulture and forestry industries are of vital importance to the New Zealand economy. MAF Policy places an emphasis on sustainable development, that is, development for the future capability of the land and New Zealanders to secure both domestic and international markets for products. In 2004/05 operational research focused on the following categories:
- facilitating market access;
- maintaining biosecurity;
- facilitating resource management;
- promoting industry and rural community performance;
- possum biocontrol.
This document provides a summary, and the results, of the operational research projects that were completed in 2004/05. The research covered soil and plant biosecurity, management and regeneration of indigenous forests, quarantine procedures, animal welfare issues and further developments in possum control.
Contact for Enquiries
Farm Monitoring Programme Manager
Monitoring and Evaluation
MAF Policy
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0623
Fax: +64 4 894 0741
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