Dairy herd consultation underway

DaDairy herd consultation underway

29 April 2014

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has today announced consultation on the future direction of the dairy herd improvement industry.

The Government’s main objective is to ensure New Zealand’s dairy industry can benefit from genetic gain in the national dairy herd.

This objective supports the National Breeding Objective to identify animals whose progeny will be the most efficient converters of feed into farmer profit, says Marianne Lukkien, Acting Director Sector Policy.

“To achieve this we need to ensure the Dairy Core Database is fit for purpose, services are accessible at competitive prices and above all farmer’s interests are protected.

“The dairy industry is preparing for the transfer of the Dairy Core Database from Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) to DairyNZ.

“LIC has asked MPI to consider removing the legislative requirements imposed on it that will be unaffected by the transfer.

These requirements relate to herd testing provision and pricing, and LIC’s corporate form and constitutional change.

“We recognise there is a need to ensure regulation is fit for purpose for the future direction of the industry. This is an opportunity for LIC, farmers and other stakeholders to identify issues relating to these requirements on LIC.

“This process will help Government decide whether it is appropriate to continue to regulate Livestock Improvement Corporation after the transfer of the Dairy Core database to DairyNZ", says Ms Lukkien.

Consultation closes on 5pm Friday 23 May 2014. Further information
can be found on the Ministry for Primary Industries website:
www.mpi.govt.nz
Ends

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