Hawke's Bay Farming Lifestyles, March 2021

March 2021 Edition

Free-range innovation Pages 6–7

Winter grazing regulations

Plastics blitz pays off

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Apprentice stars sought

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March 2021 HAWKE’S BAY FarMING LIFESTYLES

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Phone: 0800 466 793 Email: info@integrity.nz General Manager: Deb Wright | deb.wright@integrity.nz | 021 639 696 Editorial: Ann van Engelen, Paul Campbell, Andy Bryenton Advertising: Leanne Anania Accounts: accounts@integrity.nz Distribution: Laurie Willetts Website: www.farminglifestyles.co.nz

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Maori constituencies consultation Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is consulting with the community on whether to establish Maori constituencies before the 2022 elections.

Maori constituencies are the regional council equivalent of a Maori seat in parliament or Maori ward for city or district councils.

Regional councillors agreed in February to consult with the Hawke’s Bay community between March 22 and April 22. An online campaign will be followed by public hearings of submissions on May 3 and 4 before the council makes a decision at its meeting on May 19.

In February, the Local Electoral (Maori wards and Maori constituencies) Amendment Act was passed. This removed the need for a binding referendum if five per cent of voters sign a petition, as well as the ability for councils to initiate a binding poll.

This law change prompted the regional council to vote unanimously to undertake public consultation on this important issue. It needs to make a decision by May 21 to take advantage of a transition period afforded by the Local Electoral (Maori wards and Maori constituencies) Amendment Act. It will ensure that if the regional council votes to establish Maori constituencies, they can be established before the next election.

More than one-quarter (27 per cent) of Hawke’s Bay’s population are of Maori descent. There are 11 iwi groups, 91 hapu and 79 marae throughout Hawke’s Bay, making a significant contribution to the region’s community, culture and economy, and as mana whenua and treaty partners.

HBRC chief executive, James Palmer, says the regional council has an obligation to enable Maori participation in its decision-making, embedded in the Treaty of Waitangi and the Local Government Act 2002.

“How this obligation is given effect is for the council to decide. Traditionally, local government electoral arrangements have not included guaranteed proportional representation for Maori in council decision-making, in the way that

James Palmer, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council chief executive

is currently provided for in parliament, so this is something for the community and our council to contemplate.”

Establishing Maori constituencies would complement the regional council’s existing means to engage with Maori, including the Maori committee and the regional planning committee.

If established, only people enrolled on the Maori roll would be able to vote for a Maori constituency candidate, and, likewise, only people on the general roll could vote for candidates from general constituencies. If the council voted to establish Maori seats, the next step would be a representation review to determine whether one or two Maori constituencies would be established.

More information on Maori constituencies is available online at hbrc.govt.nz. You can also see conversations about the issue on the HBRegionalCouncil Facebook page or linkedin.com/company/hawkes-bayregional-council/. The consultation document and submission form are at hbrc.govt.nz and submission forms can also be obtained by calling 06 835 9200.

HAWKE’S BAY FarMING LIFESTYLES

March 2021

Winter grazing regulations

The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council will work closely with farmers to encourage best practices in winter grazing ahead of new regulations coming into effect next year.

The government announced it had deferred the introduction of Intensive Winter Grazing practice regulations for a year until May 2022. It will allow for improvements in IWG practice relating to freshwater to be achieved primarily through freshwater farm plans.

Intensive winter grazing is a farming practice where stock are confined to outdoor feeding areas planted with fodder crops. Regional council group manager of policy and regulation Katrina Brunton says the council supports the move to allow for more development of on the ground practice to deliver more robust regulation.

“We will support farmers to put in place better practices such as providing buffers around waterways and critical source areas to improve freshwater quality and animal welfare,” she says.

“We will increase our monitoring of IWG practices and continue our effective monitoring of rivers and estuaries to show if their health is improving.

Landowners who want to expand their winter grazing area will still be required to apply for a discretionary activity consent with strict conditions.”

The one-year deferment will enable an IWG farm plan ‘module’ to be developed and ready for formal incorporation into wider certified freshwater farm plans in 2022.

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March 2021 HAWKE’S BAY FarMING LIFESTYLES

Plastics blitz pays off

by Paul Campbell “Recycling plastics is a great way of getting rid of waste. I hate seeing plastic rubbish in the environment; we all know it can end up damaging birds, animals and fish as well as looking terrible.”

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awke’s Bay Federated Farmers president Jim Galloway has thoroughly endorsed a blitz on plastics pollution that has proved hugely successful in the bay this summer, despite the fact that drought has been uppermost in most rural minds. One farmer has added that donated feed from outside the region might have been a “double-edged sword — more plastic bale wraps to deal with.”

The tongue-in-cheek observation came as Hawke’s Bay farmers and growers are proving that they are good stewards of the land by bringing in massive quantities of plastic for recycling through the rural recycling programme, Agrecovery, this summer.

“Since mid-December, the programme collected 12.5 tonnes of plastic from the region in just two and a half months. This is proof of the local rural community’s commitment to the environment,” says Agrecovery’s general manager, Tony Wilson.

Jim Galloway says, putting it in recycling is the best place for it. “It is amazing what they are using the recycled plastics for. We use three recycling systems — Agrecovery for farm containers, Plasback for our silage wrap and council recycling for our household plastics. It doesn’t take that much to get plastics ready for recycling, and in some areas, depots are reasonably easy to get to. More depots and longer opening

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Hawke’s Bay Federated Farmers president, Jim Galloway

HAWKE’S BAY FarMING LIFESTYLES

hours would always make it easier to participate. Silage wrap is picked up from farms after a phone call, so it is pretty simple.”

The 12.5 tonnes was collected from five Agrecovery sites in the region before going to the Bin Hire Hub in Hastings for processing. “Contractors were working through the day and night to shred the containers so that they could package and send them to our recycler in Auckland,” says Agrecovery operations adviser Felicity Mitchell.

“We take our hats off to the Hawke’s Bay farmers and growers that have been making the most of our recycling programme,” says Tony Wilson. “We commend them for taking the time and effort to triple-rinse containers and bring them in for recycling.

“Like most consumers, farmers and growers are left with plastic packaging that they don’t want to send to landfill or release emissions by burning it. They are motivated to do the right thing, and the best thing is to turn it into a resource that doesn’t get wasted.”

Recycling is also boosted with the warning from the regional council that burning silage wrap is a non-complying activity in Hawke’s Bay and could result in a fine or prosecution under the Resource Management Act. Burning silage wrap or other plastics can affect health and the environment.

FE D SA OSE E CL AG EN TOR S

The plastics issue has the added impact from imported stock food donated from outside the region, referred to in our farmer’s earlier comment.

MPI reports that it is important to have a buffer of feed to get through tough seasons, quoting farmer Bruce Goldstone who runs 4,000 breeding ewes, 1,000 hoggets and 450 cattle on 1,045 hectares at Putorino, north of Napier.

Bruce turned to the national feed coordination service, funded by MPI, for help. The service helps connect farmers who are short of feed with available sources of supplement, such as silage and hay.

Through the service, Bruce sourced 100 round bales of grass silage from the Waikato and the South Island. He was sent a further 100 bales of baleage by friends, bought 40 tonnes of palm kernel expeller (PKE), and already had 200 bales of silage.

MPI has extended funding for feed coordination and planning services until the end of June.

The feed planning service is delivered by Beef + Lamb New Zealand, DairyNZ, Federated Farmers and other specialist providers.

The feed planning service can be accessed by phoning 0800 BEEFLAMB (0800 233 352) or 0800 4 DairyNZ (0800 4324 7969).

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March 2021 HAWKE’S BAY FarMING LIFESTYLES

Free-range innovation

BY ANN VAN ENGELEN

rob Darby began raising free-range chickens to provide his family with good quality eggs 40 years ago, and his hobby turned into an international egg supply experience.

“A

s a child, I always had battery hens to care for, but they often had walking issues. I brought my farm in 1979 and discovered I couldn’t get hold of any free-range chickens,” says Rob. “I started raising my own, and suddenly everyone wanted chickens and eggs. I had to grow more chickens, and in the early 80s, I started supplying my true free-range eggs to Harvest Whole Foods in Grey Lynn, and that is how FRENZ began. The goodness of freerange wasn’t very known then. They classed an egg as an egg. I was getting

calls from the authorities saying I needed a licence for each bird over 99 birds but you couldn’t buy licences unless someone was leaving the industry.

“Robert Muldoon lost the election, and Roger Douglas listened to our story, and he then deregulated the industry.

One day a visitor told us to sell our product to America. We did this for 20 years, and now we supply Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau and a few other islands in Asia.

“We realised we had to get eggs overseas at the same price as it costs us to send them to Hamilton, and we

as a farmer, rob Darby began growing his own free-range chickens with the belief that an egg is not just an egg

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had to pack them according to the USDA standards. They also need sanitising because they come from a hen’s backside, and cross-contamination can make you sick.”

Rob says it is like not washing a fruit or vegetable before eating when it has been sitting on a shop shelf.

“We had to figure out how to get chilled eggs to anywhere in the world and looked at how Captain Cook did it 200 years ago. He covered eggs in duck wax, and they stayed fresh at the right temperature.

“No one made good sanitisers, so 10 years ago we bought an egg grader machine and designed a machine that washes, sanitises and oils each egg.

Our technology uses UV and shows us internal imperfections as well. We also produce 50kW per hour of our own power with solar panels.

“America changed their organic rules, and the dollar got too high, so now we focus on Asia.

“They like to know what they are eating and try their best to put what is good into their bodies.

“We use non-GMO grains and utilise mussel waste for our hens. This puts more omega and higher proteins into our certified BioGro organic eggs. We now have around 14 farmers supplying us from Waikato, Bombay, Pukekohe and Kaipara.

“Our farmers usually have brown shavers or hyline hens. A truck is constantly going up and down the motorway collecting eggs. They come to our plant for processing.”

Rob helped the SPCA write their standards back in the 90s. ”They have since switched to European standards. True free-range

March 2021

FOREST AND WOODLOT OWNERS

Since retiring from farming, rob’s wife Seae now has her own flock of 40 hens and two roosters named Peter Pan and Brandy means hens are never locked up. The hens’ house door is left open 24/7. We have fences around our properties and rodent control, and there is a ratio of hens per acre. They go out every day and have fresh paddocks to run around.

“They go out in the morning and get nice dewy grass and grubs. They return to lay their egg in the nest boxes and then go out again and preen their feathers and socialise. At dusk, they go home to roost. Every few days, they move to fresh paddocks.

“Egg protein is one of the highest forms of protein you can get. It is usually used to measure other forms of protein.

We now have our special mussel formula and are always thinking of other waste products that we can utilise for our chickens. It doesn’t make it cheaper, but it does make it better.

“We have increased the omegas nearly three times in our eggs using mussel waste.

“They already had higher amounts from the hens being out in the field and sunshine. Mussels are known to help with arthritis and inflammatory issues.

The hen gets the shell, salt, protein and goodness and includes it in the egg.

“In the past, it was always said an egg is an egg, but it is not. An egg is a full meal full of amazing proteins and nutrients. If you give children an egg, they won’t snack as much. If you have an egg in the house, you have a meal such as an omelette, scrambled, fried or boiled.

“We recently gave up farming after 40 years, and my wife Seae now has 40 chickens and two roosters at home.

They are such a good thing for little children too.

“They make an amazing pet as they love to be around you. The future for us is to continue growing our business.

New Zealand is better than elsewhere in the world for growing quality food.”

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March 2021 HAWKE’S BAY FarMING LIFESTYLES

TO BUILD OR RENOVATE

Home of the year sets trends

by Andy Bryenton

They’re the Academy Awards of tradespeople, the builders’ Golden Globes; the New Zealand Master Builders Home of the Year Awards has been handing out coveted titles for many years. Each of those years is reflecting in the styles, materials and designs utilised in the winning homes.

This year 359 entries contested awards across many price-bracket categories, reflecting the ways in which graceful execution of architectural principles could be achieved with modest budgets and small spaces, as well as with grander designs. There were also awards for specific rooms, such as bathrooms and kitchens, awards for outdoor spaces and landscaping, and a special award for sustainability.

“House of the Year continues to showcase what is possible in home building each year, across all price brackets,” said David Kelly, chief executive of the Master Builders Association.

“We are delighted to play our part, supporting homeowners by protecting their investment during the build and for the next 10 years.

“Building guarantees are an essential part of the build process, and we are proud to have the most comprehensive product on the market.

“Our guarantee has protected more than 140,000 homes through all economic cycles of the past 30 years. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners — you’ve done our sector proud.”

Longevity, functionality, energy efficiency and clever use of space were all core factors in deciding winners across the country, from a 90 square metre modern bach-style home in Flaxmill Bay, Cooks Beach, through to the long, low, glass-fronted supreme renovation winner, brought to life by Haimes Building in Taupo.

The supreme winner was constructed in Queenstown by Triple Star Management, but it’s not the views or location that cinched the top spot.

Blending modern techniques and light, airy glazed areas with traditional stone created a visual impact. While it was the small details that impressed; this home also took out the supreme bathroom award.

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The New Zealand Master Builders Home of the Year for 2020 has set the trends for 2021 and inspired designers and architects

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HAWKE’S BAY FarMING LIFESTYLES

March 2021

T O B U I L D O R R E N O VAT E

Apprentice stars sought

by Andy Bryenton

New Zealand’s building industry is searching for its top rising stars, as the 2021 Registered Master Builders Apprentice of the Year competition gets underway. Applications are open now for young builders to have their chance in the spotlight.

‘As an apprentice, you are the sector’s future leaders,’ states the invitation to get involved. ‘The competition will test your project management, business and presentation skills as well as practical skills.’

The competition tests not just the skills of young tradespeople on the tools, but all those other aspects that make for a top builder.

Fostering this kind of talent is vital to producing the leaders of tomorrow in an industry tasked with tackling a nationwide housing shortage.

Applications are open from April 1 and run all month.

Ever y entrant receives a complimentary pack of clothing and gear from Carters, the hardware and timber company, to help get them started. The middle of the year will see practical tests laid down and judging taking place region by region.

Thomas O’Brien, 20 from the Northern region, employed by Beacon Construction and trained with BCITO, took the title of 2020 Master Builders Carters Apprentice of the Year. The competition runner-up went to Matthew Van Boheman, 23 from Bay of PlentyCentral Plateau who is employed by Beck Building, with Mark Lovelock, 27

from the Upper South Island, employed

by Timbercraft Construction, being awarded third place.

As well as bragging rights and a fantastic boost for their CV, each regional winner in 2021 will receive a place at a specially designed Outward Bound course, top-flight tools and products from Carters’ suppliers, and a business tools grant from Carters to the value of $2,000. Then there’s the honour of representing the north at the national competition in Auckland during November.

There’s an extensive application to be part of this competition, as young apprentices will need their employer and training advisor’s support to get involved.

However, it’s a great way of advancing young careers, and an opportunity to celebrate not just the young people who have decided to train up and become future builders, but also the companies passing on their skills and experience to make this possible.

If you know an apprentice who is dedicated and talented enough to deserve a shot at the top honour in their profession, tell them to visit apprenticeoftheyear.co.nz and get prepared now to apply in just under a month’s time.

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March 2021 HAWKE’S BAY FarMING LIFESTYLES

T O B U I L D O R R E N O VAT E

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Cheal is now a leading multidisciplinary consultancy in Hawke’s Bay. It was established in 1940 as a surveying practice in Taupo by the late Laurie Cheal. The projects undertaken and the experience gained as the business grew during the decades laid the foundation for who they are today.

Whilst the company’s base continues to be in Taupo, significant growth during the years has seen Cheal expand across the Central North Island. They have offices in Hawke’s Bay, the Waikato, Ruapehu and Bay of Plenty, and a team of more than 80 staff. Cheal’s innovative yet practical approach, problem-solving abilities and professionalism make them leaders across many sectors with expertise in land surveying, resource management planning, civil, structural and geotechnical engineering and 3D laser scanning.

Cheal planners understand that interacting with the resource management industry is significant for farmers. They can assist with district and regional council resource consents, groundwater takes, surface water takes, dairy discharges and water

harvesting schemes. Having worked in land development for many years, Cheal has a long and proud history of surveying. Using advanced technology and software, the team is experienced in rural and residential subdivisions, boundary adjustments, topographical surveys, farm mapping, laser scanning and UAV (drone) surveys.

Cheal engineers can work on projects of any size. Our team of experienced professional engineers can undertake all aspects of your project, including feasibility studies, foundation design,

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HAWKE’S BAY FarMING LIFESTYLES

March 2021

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AG CONTRACTORS & SUPPLIERS The importance of renewal Pasture renewal is important for increasing productivity and long-term farm profitability, particularly in the dairy sector.

While grasses can grow indefinitely, factors such as drought, pests, and pugging damage will cause deterioration. Total DM production drops, weeds increase and feed value is therefore reduced.

Renewal can see increased total pasture yield (one–eight tonnes DM/ha/ yr) and gives control over seasonality of production. It makes pasture management easier by using late heading varieties to minimise the drop in pasture quality as seed heads appear in late spring.

New pastures produce, on average, 0.5–0.9 MJME/kg DM more. Reasons for this include higher proportion of desirable species, later and more uniform flowering, leafier sward, with fewer seed heads produced and less dead leaf material.

Most new perennial ryegrass cultivars are available with new endophytes developed to solve particular problems in different regions.

Thus animals are fed better. Cows on new pasture graze more grass, and that grass is leafier, higher in ME and more palatable.

That will be reflected in more milk solids production, faster live-weight

gains, higher stocking rates, and at the end of the day, much more contented cows. Replacing poorproducing pasture is profitable. It is one of the simplest ways to invest on-farm for a significant and relatively predictable rate of return.

Although the rate of pasture renewal is often set by historical practices or the budgeted levels, the most profitable rate of renewal for an individual dairy farm is best determined by an analysis of paddock performance, and from this, the cost/benefit for gains through renewal.

Analysis of your pasture growth data will help you plan the most profitable renewal programme. While you may instinctively know your best and worst paddocks, without measuring or assessing pasture growth, paddocks cannot be accurately ranked to identify worst performance.

The best paddocks to renew are the poorest producers as these have the potential for the greatest improvement.

For example, where the yield can be increased by two tonnes of DM/ ha, the return is around 130kg MS/ ha. The return will be greater if the extra growth occurs at a time of the

Renewed pasture has benefits

season when animal demand exceeds pasture growth.

The highest producing paddocks on a farm indicate the property’s overall potential. Under-producing paddocks highlight the opportunity for extra pasture growth. Use grazing and yield records to identify your best and worst

paddocks. The more measures and assessments you have to compare, the better (and easier) the decision will be.

If records are unavailable, use the Pasture Condition Score Tool and walk your farm at least six months before the sowing date.

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March 2021 HAWKE’S BAY FarMING LIFESTYLES

AG CONTRACTORS & SUPPLIERS ADVERTORIAL

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The business, established by Rex Evans, is now in the capable hands of owner-operator Sam Christiansen. Sam bought Agpower Shelter Trimming last year after a career working overseas on drilling rigs.

“I purchased the business from Rex in late 2020 after realising the potential for the business, and it being a good fit for my skill set,” said Sam. Agpower Shelter Trimming provides services covering pastoral farming, cropping, horticultural and lifestyle block requirements south of Hastings through to Pahiatua.

A full range of shelterbelt trimming options, including clean-up and mulching, are available. The business has gained a sound reputation with its eye-catching trimmed shelterbelts and tidy hedges.

“Our custom-built Mercedes Benz shelter belt trimmer sets the standard in operational efficiency and capabilities,” said Sam.

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“At Agpower Shelter Trimming, we pride ourselves in providing efficient, safe and cost-effective solutions to our customers’ needs. A big part of delivering on our promises is having capable, efficient, reliable operators and equipment.”

Sam said the best part of the business is definitely the people.

“There are some really interesting rural people with innovative operations within our district.”

Plenty of plans for the business are on the horizon. The addition of another machine to the existing fleet will expand

the work capacity, enabling Sam to take on more customers.

“Long-term, we plan to develop the next generation in shelter trimming machinery and set a new standard of efficiency and capabilities,” said Sam. “We also want to expand the service area.”

Sam welcomes enquiries to discuss trimming requirements and to give highly-competitive free quotes.

Phone 027 416 9263 or visit agpowersheltertrimmingcontractors. co.nz for further details and fill out an enquiry form.

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HAWKE’S BAY FarMING LIFESTYLES

March 2021

AG CONTRACTORS & SUPPLIERS

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Farmers need competent spreaders

by Paul Campbell

Drive through rural New Zealand anywhere from North Cape to Bluff, and you will soon see fertiliser spreading, by land or air, as farmers boost the productivity of soils often deficient in nutrients.

The work is almost always carried out by contractors, specialists in the business of getting the best spread for the farm they are engaged on.

Today, contractors must be skilled in many facets of their operation, abiding by increasingly tight regulations in several areas of their business, so it is incumbent on their employers to make sure they are fully accredited.

WorkSafe New Zealand provides the ground spreading industry with guidelines in a specific manual aimed at doing the job well. It says that when working with fertiliser, you can be exposed to a number of potentially serious hazards.

Farmers, contractors and workers need to be aware of the risks when using fertilisers and know how to use them safely.

This material can be dangerous to work with, especially in adverse weather or if it isn’t stored properly.

“With the Groundspread Fertiliser Association, we have produced guidance for farmers, contractors and workers on how to safely use fertiliser on the farm,” a Workplace Safety spokesman says.

“This covers general health and safety, job planning, storage and maintenance,

pre-start checklist, dealing with hazards and emergency planning.”

Another area where contractors need updated qualification is in following the government’s vision to see a noticeable improvement in freshwater quality. New regulations to effect this came into force last September.

These are aimed at reducing the amount of pollution — nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment, E coli and other contaminants — entering waterways from our cities and our farms.

These contaminants can be harmful to human health and damaging to freshwater fish and other aquatic species.

Higher nitrogen levels contribute to the growth of slime and other harmful plants.

The government is committed to supporting farmers to make the further changes needed to stop water quality from getting worse and starting the process of reversing past damage. MPI says it will continue to work with the primary sector through the transition to more sustainable land and water use. Many farmers are already following good practice and taking action to reduce their impact on

freshwater. It also sounds a warning on excessive nitrogen loss into water catchments for fertiliser contractors to be aware of, saying other options to

address excessive nitrogen loss is a cap on fertiliser use or requiring nitrogen to be managed under farm environment plans from 2021.

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March 2021 HAWKE’S BAY FarMING LIFESTYLES A

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World leader appointed

Cherilyn Watson, the general manager of New Zealand’s largest dairy breed association, Holstein Friesian NZ, has been appointed president of the World Holstein Friesian Federation Council.

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She is the first woman to hold the role in the federation’s 45-year history.

The federation is responsible for improving, promoting and developing the Holstein Friesian breed around the world. Ms Watson has been general manager of Holstein Friesian NZ for 17 years and has been the Oceania representative on the World Holstein Friesian Federation Council since 2016.

“Ms Watson’s appointment as president was recognition of how far the breed society had come in New Zealand and proof that New Zealand was producing some of the best leaders in the field,” said Holstein Friesian NZ President, Hennie Verwaayen.

“For a little country at the bottom of the world, I think Cherilyn’s appointment shows we can and are footing it with the best in the dairy industry.”

Ms Watson was instrumental in securing funding and is leading the development of a new $1 million project, backed by the Ministry for Primary Industries, to develop an information system to shape the genetics powering New Zealand’s dairy sector.

The Breed Society and Traits other than Production solution to Dairy Industry Good Animal Database is being jointly developed by New Zealand’s independent, not-for-profit dair y cattle breed societies led by Holstein Friesian NZ.

Ms Watson is on the Industry Genetics Steering Group looking at access to data and genotypes across the NZ dairy industry. She sits on the Breed Association Working Group of ICAR, an international committee setting standards for animal recording, and is secretary of the NZ Dairy Breeds Federation. Ms Watson also serves on the TOP Advisory Committee, which steers the development and implementation of TOP traits in New Zealand.

Ms Watson said she was honoured to accept the role and is looking forward to working with the WHFF Council and members to lead the federation through an ever-changing world from the global pandemic to the environmental challenges facing all dairy farmers.

“New Zealand farmers are facing similar issues to dairy farmers around the world, from managing our social licence to operate, to addressing environmental challenges. I am looking forward to working with the council and continuing to both facilitate discussion and help address those challenges.

“One of the biggest challenges currently facing the New Zealand dairy industry is the development of genomics and the ownership of genomic information for the national herd.

“Overseas, the development of genomic testing has already led to more

Cherilyn Watson, newly appointed president of the World Holstein Friesian Federation Council

structured breeding decisions about the type of cows farmers both want and need to breed. In New Zealand, we haven’t quite got there yet because there is currently no one industry good source of genomic data.”

Ms Watson takes over from Jos Buiting, the Netherlands, who will remain as a federation council member. Exiting the role, he highlighted the work of the federation in recording breeding traits and genetics.

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Deregulating new organisms The Environmental Protection Authority is seeking input on which new organisms should no longer hold regulatory status as ‘new’ because they are effectively resident in Aotearoa New Zealand.

This deregulation process is conducted under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act for species that arrived after July 29 1998, and are now established in this country.

One such example is the varroa mite, which was first identified in Auckland in 2000 and then spread throughout New Zealand. Scientific research was limited by regulatory barriers, so the mite was deregulated in 2011 to help researchers develop pest management options.

When this process was last run in 2018, five organisms were deregulated, including a ladybird (Harmonia axyridis), a bacterium (Komagataeibacter xylinus) and a virus (Listeria phage P100).

The EPA is now starting with a clean slate and asking public sector organisations, Crown Research Institutes, academics and the public to submit candidates for a new round of deregulation.

Proposing a candidate does not guarantee a change in its regulatory status. Organisms are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Once the Minister for the Environment has decided on a shortlist, further public consultation will take place. Ultimately, the cabinet makes the final decision on deregulation.

“This process is about freeing up regulatory barriers, including making it easier for scientists wanting to conduct research on these organisms, and removing the unnecessary financial costs involved,” says the EPA’s general manager of Hazardous Substances and New Organisms, Dr Chris Hill.

The EPA is responsible for evaluating and managing the risks of introducing new organisms into New Zealand, under the HSNO Act. All hazardous substances and new organisms must be approved before they can be imported or used in this country.

“Once we have received proposals, we will consider whether the new organism has formed a self-sustaining population in New Zealand and if any person is attempting to manage, control or eradicate the new organism under any act.

“Changing the status of the new organism will be in accordance with the purpose and principles of the HSNO Act.” For more information go to epa. govt.nz/public-consultations/openconsultations/denewing. Submissions close at 5pm on May 6 2021.

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March 2021

15

Inflammation

(Part one)

Is your body hot, cold or lukewarm? I am not talking about your actual body temperature but the degree to which unwanted inflammation is affecting your body.

Some inflammation we can feel and see. There is also silent inflammation that has no symptoms but can cause disease.

Inflammation is an amazing part of our body’s healing systems. It is an essential part of how we fight infections and heal against damage caused by injuries. It is always associated with fighting infection. Without inflammation, our first infection or injury would have probably ended our lives. The signs of inflammation are heat, swelling, redness and pain, including loss of function.

Inflammation is a process where our immune (white blood) cells produce a wide range of chemicals that coordinate the process of removing the cause of the problem and then clean up the mess to complete the healing process. These processes are incredibly complex and involve a wide range of cell types and a variety of messenger compounds. Many inflammatory problems are caused by overactive messengers triggering unwanted inflammation.

The inflammatory process is like your kitchen tap. When working well,

you get cold water when you turn the cold tap and hot water when the hot is on. Unwanted inflammation is like turning the cold tap and getting warm or even hot water instead.

A common cause of unwanted inflammation is when our body tries to repair a problem that it cannot fix. That is typical of osteoarthritis.

The problem is caused by cartilage erosion. However, most of the pain is caused by immune cells inflaming joint tissue in an attempt to repair it.

All this does is cause unnecessary pain, swelling and loss of function.

If you are affected by arthritis or any inflammation, I recommend following an anti-inflammatory diet with supplements that can help reduce unwanted inflammation.

Feel free to contact me if you have questions.

John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv. Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For personalized advice, contact John on 0800 423 559 or email john@abundant.co.nz. Join his full weekly newsletter at abundant. co.nz.

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March 2021 HAWKE’S BAY FARMING LIFESTYLES