Wellington vet gets international honourA Wellington vet has received a top international honour from the World Veterinary Association (WVA) in recognition of his work for the global veterinary profession.
Earlier this year, Dr Jim Edwards was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to the veterinary profession and the community.
He has now been made an honorary member of the WVA. People who hold this position are ‘distinguished persons’ who are recognised for their outstanding service to the profession internationally. This new honour was announced at the WVA’s extra-ordinary presidents' assembly in Paris in late May.
It has been 10 years since the WVA last elected someone an honorary member. One of the previous appointees to this position is Dr Peter Doherty who won the Nobel Prize.
The WVA was formed in 1863 and represents the veterinary associations worldwide.
It promotes standards and competence and animal and human health and wellbeing through the sustainable and humane use and management of animals.
Dr Edwards served as president of the WVA for three years. He has also served as president of the New Zealand Veterinary Association and president of the Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations.
He is now the communications director for the WVA, working from his home in Manakau, just north of Wellington.
His wife, Pam, was the instigator of World Veterinary Day, which was first celebrated in 2001.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Bee industry conference starts Sundat
Over 200 beekeepers, specialty vendors and industry delegates from New Zealand and Australia will attend the National Beekeepers’ Association (NBA) Conference which starts on Sunday in Nelson.
Delegates will gather to learn more about leading edge beekeeping science, find out what’s happening within the industry and maintain key networks.
During the four day conference, participants will attend workshops by overseas experts, local researchers and fellow beekeepers, including a presentation by the Minister of agriculture and biosecurity.
Hon. David Carter will inform delegates on government industry agreements and address the need for the beekeeping industry to work together for the benefit of the industry.
Speaker topics include setting standards for the manuka industry, organic products for varroa control, disease preparedness and surveillance activities.
“The conference is a great way for delegates to share important information and ideas on how to best manage pests and diseases, which could threaten our economy, and to enjoy the collegiality that is part of a career in beekeeping,” says NBA president Frans Laas.
A national honey competition will also be held during the conference which will showcase an assortment of some of New Zealand’s best honey.
“This is the only honey competition of its kind in New Zealand. The competition is split into 17 classes and will include everything from liquid and comb honey, to bees wax and products made from the hive.”
The NBA honey and photography competition winners and other awards will be presented at a gala dinner on Tuesday night.
The NBA Annual General Meeting will be held during the conference which is being held at the Rutherford Hotel in Nelson and finishes on Wednesday.
Delegates will gather to learn more about leading edge beekeeping science, find out what’s happening within the industry and maintain key networks.
During the four day conference, participants will attend workshops by overseas experts, local researchers and fellow beekeepers, including a presentation by the Minister of agriculture and biosecurity.
Hon. David Carter will inform delegates on government industry agreements and address the need for the beekeeping industry to work together for the benefit of the industry.
Speaker topics include setting standards for the manuka industry, organic products for varroa control, disease preparedness and surveillance activities.
“The conference is a great way for delegates to share important information and ideas on how to best manage pests and diseases, which could threaten our economy, and to enjoy the collegiality that is part of a career in beekeeping,” says NBA president Frans Laas.
A national honey competition will also be held during the conference which will showcase an assortment of some of New Zealand’s best honey.
“This is the only honey competition of its kind in New Zealand. The competition is split into 17 classes and will include everything from liquid and comb honey, to bees wax and products made from the hive.”
The NBA honey and photography competition winners and other awards will be presented at a gala dinner on Tuesday night.
The NBA Annual General Meeting will be held during the conference which is being held at the Rutherford Hotel in Nelson and finishes on Wednesday.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Horticulture statistics
New Zealand's horticulture industry has continued to grow, recording its highest ever annual returns last year. New figures show fruit, vegetables, wine and flowers were worth more than $6 billion exports and domestic spend in the year to 30 June 2009, up around $470m on 2008.
'Fresh Facts in New Zealand Horticulture - 2009', published by Plant & Food Research and industry analysts Martech Consulting, found export returns for the year to June 2009 topped $3.4b (free-on-board value), up from $2.94b in 2008, and nearly doubling those of a decade ago, when in 1999 NZ horticultural exports were $1.74 billion.
Two crops clearly stand out over the past ten years; kiwifruit exports have increased from less than half a billion ($478m) in 1999 to over one billion ($1.07bn); and wine exports have increased from $126m in 1999 to close to $1 billion ($985m). The past year alone has seen kiwifruit and wine exports increased by 23.1% and 24.0% respectively.
Fresh fruit remains New Zealand’s largest horticultural export sector, with revenues of $1.58b (up 18.2% on 2008), mostly from kiwifruit ($1.07b) and apples ($396m).
Fresh vegetable exports fell slightly against 2008, primarily due to the reduction in fresh onion exports following the big increase experienced the previous year. Processed vegetables increased by $19.3m (6.1%) overall in 2009, with frozen potato exports up $17.3m (27.2%) and dried vegetables up $16.0m (37.5%) offsetting decreases in other processed vegetables.
'Fresh Facts in New Zealand Horticulture - 2009', published by Plant & Food Research and industry analysts Martech Consulting, found export returns for the year to June 2009 topped $3.4b (free-on-board value), up from $2.94b in 2008, and nearly doubling those of a decade ago, when in 1999 NZ horticultural exports were $1.74 billion.
Two crops clearly stand out over the past ten years; kiwifruit exports have increased from less than half a billion ($478m) in 1999 to over one billion ($1.07bn); and wine exports have increased from $126m in 1999 to close to $1 billion ($985m). The past year alone has seen kiwifruit and wine exports increased by 23.1% and 24.0% respectively.
Fresh fruit remains New Zealand’s largest horticultural export sector, with revenues of $1.58b (up 18.2% on 2008), mostly from kiwifruit ($1.07b) and apples ($396m).
Fresh vegetable exports fell slightly against 2008, primarily due to the reduction in fresh onion exports following the big increase experienced the previous year. Processed vegetables increased by $19.3m (6.1%) overall in 2009, with frozen potato exports up $17.3m (27.2%) and dried vegetables up $16.0m (37.5%) offsetting decreases in other processed vegetables.
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