Latest news with #VincentArbuckle
Scoop
14 hours ago
- Business
- Scoop
Beef Farmers Likely First In Line For Emissions-Reducing Livestock Pill
Industry-government venture AgriZero is hinting that New Zealand beef may be the first agricultural sector to gain access to tools like a new methane-reducing pill for livestock - and soon. Ruminant BioTech was developing a slow-release bolus, or pill, to be fed to livestock. Recent trials on New Zealand farms resulted in a reduction of methane emissions. It was one of AgriZero's 10 investments towards reducing agricultural emissions. AgriZero first invested $1.8 million into Ruminant BioTech's product in April 2023, followed by $4m to accelerate its commercialisation in August. Chief executive Wayne McNee said the company was planning a limited release for beef cattle, once it was approved by the regulator. "Ruminant BioTech, so likely to be the first of these products in the market. It's a bolus, many of you will have heard of, containing bromoform," he said. "The benefit of a bolus, obviously is that you can administer it once, it lasts for at least 100 days, reduces methane by 70 percent or so over that period. "And the current thinking is to probably administer one of these [boluses] to an animal during its lifetime, and you average out the benefit of that over the period of that beef animal's life." Ruminant BioTech's bolus won a protype category innovation award at Fieldays near Hamilton in June. Assessing new bolus for use on-farm Ruminant BioTech's bolus contained Tribromomethane (bromoform), a chemical compound that could be found in marine algae, phytoplankton or as a by-product of chlorinated drinking water. It applied to register trade names for two products, the "Calm A Cattle Bolus" in September and "Emitless" more recently in May. Department of Internal Affairs information showed Emitless was a 172g oral bolus containing 48g of Tribromomethane, and users were instructed not to use the product in cattle intended for reproduction, or cattle intended to produce milk for human consumption. Whereas, Calm A Cattle Bolus was a 165g bolus containing 36g of Tribromomethane, intended to reduce enteric methane emissions in cattle for up to 4 months. Last week, the Environmental Protection Authority said it determined that the inhibitor - containing 50-70 percent tribromomethane as the active ingredient - fit within the scope of the veterinary medicines group standard, under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (1996), and did not require an individual approval. Before the product could be used in New Zealand though, it would require registration under the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act (1997), which was administered by the Ministry for Primary Industries. New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general, Vincent Arbuckle said it had received and was assessing the application for registering Ruminant BioTech's "Emitless" product. Arbuckle said the product was an intraruminal bolus for reducing enteric methane in cattle weighing between 350 kilograms and 450kg for up to 4 months. ruralnews@ McNee said it expected a result from the regulator soon. "It's going through regulatory process at the moment and hoping to be available later this year or worst case early next year," he said. "Certainly by next year and over the next few years, we'll see one or two products, maybe three products come into the market each year. That's what the companies are telling us." New emissions reduction tools 'coming fast' McNee said in future, farmers will have a range of emissions-reduction tools to choose from. "If there's a productivity improvement, it may be relatively straightforward to get uptake. "But in other cases, if it's pure methane reduction, then at the end of the day, somebody's going to have to pay for that," he said. "There are a number of processors, certainly the ones that have invested in us, who are talking with companies offshore to look at the potential to provide incentives to farmers to take up those tools." Also speaking at the red meat sector conference in Christchurch this month, Dr John Roche the chief science advisor for the Prime Minister and the Ministry for Primary Industries, said progress had accelerated. "Incredibly exciting. I've sat in front of Select Committee for the last several years talking about these technologies and I kid you not, two or three years ago I was promising I'm reasonably confident they'll be here by 2030. "Two years later, I'm saying we will have a bolus that reduces methane by 70 percent in dry stock, slow release over 120 days, and it will be released either later this year or early next year," he said. "These technologies are coming fast and more of them are becoming available." Company records showed Ruminant BioTech Corp's main shareholders were Rosrain Investments, which owned 44 percent of the business. It had two company directors from New Zealand and two from Australia. Other backers included New Zealand Trustee Services, Crown Terrace Investments and New Zealand Green Investment Finance, the latter a government fund towards low-emissions projects that the government announced in April it will shut down.
RNZ News
20-07-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Ministry of Health reviewing campylobacter data after scaremongering accusations
A Ministry of Health spokesperson said the research included studies dating back to 1988 that may not reflect the current situation. Photo: 123RF The Ministry of Health is reviewing campylobacter hospitalisation data, after new research found the rate of hospitalisation had jumped nearly 70 percent in 17 years. Analysis released by the Public Health Communication Centre found contaminated chicken was mostly to blame, causing nearly 80 percent of infections, but the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) disputed the figures and accused the researchers of scaremongering. Deputy director-general of Food Safety - which sits within MPI - Vincent Arbuckle admitted hospitalisations had increased, but told Morning Report infection rates were dropping. Food Safety was working with the Ministry of Health to understand what was causing more hospitalisations, he said. A Ministry of Health spokesperson said the research relied on a range of assumptions to determine "the overall burden of disease attributed to campylobacter", which included studies using data back to 1988. That may not reflect the current situation, they said, but the ministry and the Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF) were "undertaking a review of the data that our agencies hold relating to campylobacter and hospitalisation", the spokesperson said. The review sought to determine whether the assumptions the PHCC research relied on were valid. It would be completed within the next few months, subject to resource, prioritisation and availability of information, the ministry spokesperson said. Several factors could cause a rise in hospitalisations, they added. "Early access to healthcare, when required, plays a key role in managing the effects of campylobacter - such as dehydration - and preventing the more severe symptoms, which lead to hospitalisations. "There is work underway to increase access to primary care." PHF has been approached for comment. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
04-07-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Recall Of Hydr8 Spring Water Due To Possible Presence Of Blue Plastic
New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) is supporting NZ Drinks Ltd in its recall of Hydr8 Spring Water (600ml x 24) as the product may contain blue plastic. 'The concern with the affected batches of bottled water is that they could contain soft shreds of blue plastic, which could be a choking hazard,' says NZFS deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle. 'If you have any Hydr8 Spring Water in the 24-pack of 600ml bottles, with best-before dates of 10 JUN 27, 11 JUN 27 and 16 JUN 27, don't drink it. Return it to the place of purchase for a refund. If that's not possible, throw it out.' The affected products are sold at selected supermarkets throughout the North Island. They have been removed from store shelves and have not been exported. Visit NZFS's recall page for up-to-date information and photographs of the affected product. New Zealand Food Safety has not received any notifications of associated injury. 'As is our usual practice, NZFS will work with NZ Drinks Ltd to understand how this happened and prevent it happening again,' says Mr Arbuckle. 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 NZFS food recall page. For science-backed tips on preparing, cooking and storing food safely at home, download your free booklet here:
1News
02-07-2025
- Health
- 1News
'Don't eat it': Woolworths recalls beef mince batches in North Island
Woolworths has issued a recall of 18% fat beef mince products sold in the North Island due to the possible plastic contamination in certain batches. The recall affected 500g and 1kg packages of Woolworths-branded 18% Fat Beef Mince with a best-before date of July 5, 2025. The packages were sold at Woolworths and Countdown stores across the North Island. "There have been no reports of illness or injury, however, anyone who has consumed any of these products and has any concerns about their health, should seek medical advice," a spokesperson for the Woolworths Group said. New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said the affected mince "may contain blue plastic" and warned consumers against eating it. ADVERTISEMENT The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including Australia's weather bomb, the surprising costs of getting one more dog, and BTS are back. (Source: 1News) "If you have any of this mince ... don't eat it. You can return it to the place of purchase for a refund. If that's not possible, throw it out," he said. "They have been removed from store shelves and have not been exported." A Woolworths spokesperson added that the Australian supermarket giant took "food safety very seriously and apologised to customers for the inconvenience". The recall did not affect any other beef products sold, according to Woolworths. The Ministry for Primary Industries typically handled grocery recalls through its New Zealand Food Safety division. "As is our usual practice, New Zealand Food Safety will work with Woolworths to understand how this happened and prevent its recurrence," Arbuckle said.
RNZ News
01-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Union warns against meat self-inspection plans
Photo: 123RF The Public Service Association (PSA) says potential plans to privatise New Zealand's meat inspection service could put food quality and safety at risk. The PSA said the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is looking at allowing meat processing companies to carry out more of their own inspection work with reduced oversight from AsureQuality (AQ), the government's meat inspection service. Vincent Arbuckle of New Zealand Food Safety said MPI has been reviewing inspection and supervision requirements for exported meat with support from industry and AQ, including looking at more flexible and efficient inspection and verification options. However Arbuckle said no changes had been proposed yet, and any changes would involve a formal consultation process. The PSA feared the changes could result in the loss of jobs at AQ, leading current meat inspectors to move to the private sector, with lower wages and poorer conditions. National secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said independent meat inspectors were important for ensuring high food quality and safety. "It's clear there are plans underway for company meat inspection, which is a major departure from the current situation where we have independent meat inspectors employed by AQ." She said they had been doing an "excellent job" for many years. "The work of meat inspectors ensures that disease and defects in products are identified and that meat is fit for human consumption. "Independent meat inspectors are more rigorous because they have no vested interest in the end product and will not cut corners to increase company profits. Our overseas markets and consumers here at home will miss out if we lose the independence of our meat inspection services." Arbuckle said instead, along with the support of industry and input from AQ, MPI had been developing a programme of work to review the inspection and supervision requirements for exported New Zealand meat. "The programme is investigating possible changes to align New Zealand's requirements for inspecting and verifying exported meat more closely with international guidelines and our own domestic regulatory rules," he said. "As part of this we are investigating models for meat inspection and verification that would allow New Zealand to maintain our high standards for meat products in a more flexible and efficient way." Arbuckle said some companies had carried out inspections for more than a decade with no food safety incidents. Together they accounted for roughly 17 percent of all slaughter establishments, and had exported millions of kilograms of meat. Similarly, he pointed to New Zealand's dairy sector which performed its own quality and food safety compliance with external verification from MPI-appointed verifiers. He said nothing would be changed to risk New Zealand's reputation for food safety. "New Zealand enjoys an excellent reputation for food safety and suitability - this cannot be jeopardised and will not change." Arbuckle said any proposed changes would be subject to a formal consultation process, with the development of any proposals and consultations expected to take the remainder of the year. "We, and our partner AQ, are doing the right thing by communicating with relevant unions to keep them abreast of developments, even at this very early stage." Consultation on possible changes to meat inspection and supervision requirements could start in August. Any resultant changes would not come into force until next year. AQ chief executive Kim Ballinger said as no consultation process had yet been undertaken, she could not comment on any potential outcome implications at this point. She said they were "incredibly proud of our employees for the exceptional meat inspection service they provide" and looked forward to continuing a premium service for New Zealand exports into the future. "We're continuing to prioritise collaboration with our people and unions, customers, MPI, industry bodies and our other partners, to support New Zealand's red meat sector in providing the high-quality, safe meat products that it's renowned for globally." Richard McColl from the Meat Industry Association, which represented meat processors, said one of the models being explored would give members more control and flexibility. "The current meat inspection model is resource intensive and has not evolved along with other parts of the sector. This programme is about giving meat processors and exporters responsibility and ownership of their own risks. "This programme is an opportunity to explore and consider other meat inspection options to achieve the crucial food safety and market access requirements, while also building a more resilient and higher-skilled workforce, with roles that offer greater responsibility, development, and career progression for the thousands of staff employed by red meat processors." He said whichever model was chosen, the final inspection would always be done by a government employee "Our members' reputations rises and falls on the back of food safety outcomes. New Zealand has one of the highest if not the highest reputation for food safety so none of our members are going to compromise food safety outcomes." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
