Minister of Primary Industries Nathan Guy has witnessed an agreement in Tehran enabling the resumption of sheep and beef exports to Iran, and witnessed Zespri signalling its willingness to explore the development of the kiwifruit market.
“This is a crucial step for New Zealand meat companies as they look to re-enter the Iranian market," says Mr Guy.
The conclusion of a Meat Arrangement between the Iranian Veterinary Organisation (IVO) and the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries provides the conditions for chilled and frozen sheep and beef exports to resume with Iran, the second largest economy in the Middle East and North Africa region.
The agreement was witnessed with Iranian Minister of Agriculture Mahmoud Hojjati during their meeting in Tehran yesterday. The Ministers also discussed an action plan for agricultural cooperation in the year ahead.
Ministers Guy and Hojjati also witnessed the signing of a Statement of Intent between Zespri and Iran’s Ministry of Agriculture acknowledging the potential of the Iranian market as a large fruit consuming and growing country.
"Current import conditions mean that New Zealand is unable to export kiwifruit to Iran. However the letter of intent outlines undertakings to further explore commercial opportunities in Iran."
Iran has well established kiwifruit orchards and supply chains, and operates in a counter seasonal supply window to New Zealand.
"This visit is an important opportunity to strengthen our agricultural relationship, following the signing of an Agricultural Cooperation Arrangement last year.
“Iran has traditionally been an important market for New Zealand agricultural exporters, particularly dairy, and this visit has identified areas in which we can diversify these commercial ties and further technical cooperation."
| A Beehive release | February 27, 2017 ||
Will alert environmentalists, Greens, to renewable value , emissions reduction, organics
Napier advanced agri process technology specialist TEKAM is bringing to New Zealand Peter Franke a world leader in turning agricultural waste into electricity and in the process ridding farms of the effluent which increasingly threatens drinking water.
Mr Franke is the founder of Germany’s Bio Ost which is a leading developer of closed loop systems which collect effluent, notably the dairy version, and convert it into energy for refrigeration and other milking systems, and also for distribution into the national grid.
These closed loop effluent-to-power systems are commonplace in Germany where installers are offered generous subsidies to install them.
The other Baltic nation leading in closed loop effluent-to-power is Denmark.
The Danish government has set a short term target of up to 50% of livestock manure to be made into this green energy supply.
Power derived from biogas and fed into the national grid is exempt from taxation in Denmark.
Mr Franke will advise on the installation and commissioning of on-farm plants and will outline returns to users in terms of energy recovery and in obtaining fertiliser by-products.
He is expected also to talk to local government officials about the value of the plants in reducing runoff contamination threats and also how the plants reduce methane emissions.
Similarly he will outline the benefit in which weed seeds and pathogens are killed during the biomass digestion process, thus lessening the farm need for synthetic herbicides and pesticides.
Ken Evans of TEKAM said that in his New Zealand visit Mr Franke will focus exclusively on discussing the technology and the cost-benefits of the on-farm bio gas installations.
Mr Evans’ TEKAM organisation is working in conjunction with Napier Engineering & Contracting on introducing the effluent-to-energy technology to New Zealand.
He noted that he did not anticipate any discussion of introducing state incentives, subsidies for these plants such as exist in Europe.
Mr Franke instead he said would focus on the practical evidence of his company’s world wide effluent-to-energy installations.
The problem in New Zealand of effluent finding its way into ground water would though be a priority topic, he said.
According to Mr Evans, New Zealand had been an early developer of dairy waste into energy conversion systems. But these early plants along with their associated research and development had been abandoned when the millennialist energy crisis scare failed to materialise.
| From the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Monday 27 February 2017 ||
In a first for a New Zealand university, Victoria University of Wellington’s Faculty of Law is now offering accredited courses under the new trans-Tasman patent attorney registration scheme.
Commencing on 24 February 2017, the new scheme merges the New Zealand and Australian regulatory regimes for patent attorneys, allowing them to practice in both jurisdictions.
Completing a series of courses accredited by the Professional Standards Board (PSB), such as those offered by Victoria University, is compulsory to qualify under the new scheme.
Professor Susy Frankel, an expert in intellectual property law, says that providing world-class postgraduate training in support of New Zealand’s legal profession is a priority for Victoria’s Faculty of Law.
“Victoria’s courses enable those wishing to become registered patent attorneys to do so at a New Zealand university.
“The robust provision of specialist advice regarding intellectual property can help support and drive innovation. Patent attorneys play an important role in ensuring businesses know how to protect their IP assets, making it worthwhile to invest in areas such as research and development, and helping enable consumer trust.”
The accredited courses offered in 2017, which can be taken alone or as part of a Master of Laws degree, are:
LAWS 551 New Zealand & Australian Intellectual Property LawSatisfies Topic Group A2 of the accreditation requirements for trans-Tasman Patent Attorneys.INTENSIVE: 18 and 25 March, 9.30am –4.30pm, Wellington
LAWS 536 Trade Mark Law & Unfair CompetitionSatisfies Topic Group C of the accreditation requirements for trans-Tasman Patent Attorneys.INTENSIVE: 4, 5, 8 and 9 May, 9.30am – 4.30pm, Wellington
LAWS 537 Patent LawThis course is currently in the process of obtaining accreditation.BLOCK: 19 and 20 July and 2, 3, 9, 10, 23 and 24 Aug, 4.40 – 7.30pm, Wellington and Auckland
For information on enrolling in the above courses, contact Jonathan Dempsey (Postgraduate Administrator) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Applications for block and intensive courses may be accepted until a few days prior to the course commencing – but it’s best to apply early.
More information about how to become a patent attorney under the new trans-Tasman regime is available from the New Zealand Institute of Patent Attorneys and the Professional Standards Board for Patent and Trade Marks Attorneys
| A Victoria University release | February 27, 2017 ||
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Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) has developed a world leading tool for improving shipping safety in New Zealand, says Minister for Land Information Mark Mitchell.
“The Hydrographic Risk Assessment uses the latest technology to identify risks and help update navigation information,” Mr Mitchell says.
The tool combines data from a variety of sources to produce heat maps of New Zealand waters where risks are highest, ensuring updates are given where they are needed most.
“It is important New Zealanders are kept safe at sea, and the Risk Assessment will help ensure skippers have access to the latest and most accurate navigation information.”
LINZ is focused on improving information for areas such as Queen Charlotte Sound, the Tory Channel, the Approaches to Auckland, and Tamaki Strait, which were identified to have higher levels of navigational risk than other shipping routes in New Zealand.
“The tool also helps LINZ provide navigation services for New Zealand’s four million square kilometre Exclusive Economic Zone, supporting our shipping, cruise, and tourism industries.
“As vessels get bigger and shipping routes get busier, it is important we continually map the sea floor and update charts and other information,” Mr Mitchell says.
LINZ is working with Maritime New Zealand, harbour masters, and others to assess results and plan other charting work.
Read the results of the New Zealand Hydrographic Risk Assessment on the LINZ website: http://www.linz.govt.nz/sea/charts/annual-work-programme/new-zealand-hydrographic-risk-assessment
| A beehive release | February 24, 2017 ||
The trans-Tasman patent attorney regime, a system for joint regulation of patent attorneys in Australia and New Zealand, is now in effect, helping to create a seamless trans-Tasman business environment.
Reforms as part of the Single Economic Market agenda, agreed to by the Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand in 2009, have created a single body to regulate patent attorneys in both countries.
The trans-Tasman patent attorney regime is designed to increase business confidence in the service provided by patent attorneys, to streamline processes, to minimise the cost of regulating patent attorneys in both countries, and to facilitate competition in the market for patent attorney services.
Patent attorneys in Australia and New Zealand will be on a single register. New attorneys will be registered under a single set of requirements, and will be subject to a single code of conduct and single disciplinary process.
Existing Australian and New Zealand attorneys will be automatically transferred to the new joint register.
The Professional Standards Board will continue, but will be renamed the trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Board, with an expanded membership.
Senator Arthur Sinodinos, the Australian Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, said the new regime was a logical and sensible step.
“The majority of Australian and New Zealand patent attorneys are already registered in both countries,” Senator Sinodinos said.
“Removing barriers for patent attorneys and encouraging competition are key elements that will help drive productivity, innovation and industry growth for both countries.”
The New Zealand Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Jacqui Dean said the two countries had a close relationship.
“New Zealand and Australia have a longstanding and close relationship, but this is the first time a profession will be truly regulated, in a unified way on a trans-Tasman basis”, Ms Dean said.
The necessary legislation implementing the trans-Tasman patent attorney regime will take effect in both countries on 24 February 2017.
| A Beehive release | February 24, 2017 ||
Ξ Kiwi company turns plastic waste into high-quality concrete
Good progress on meat and kiwifruit trade with Iran
New range of solutions for supply chains introduced
World Week Ahead: Trump to address Congress
LINZ improving shipping safety
Minister to visit Iran and UAE
Trans-Tasman patent attorney regulatory regime in effect
Steel & Tube premises nearly ready
Port of Tauranga heading for record
Terms of Reference into Fuel Price Inquiry released
Primary Industries Minister departs for Iran and the United Arab Emirates today on a trip to build closer trading relationships.
“Iran has been an important trading partner for New Zealand in the past and there is great opportunity to increase our two-way trade. This is an exciting step for New Zealand companies who are working with importers in Iran,” says Mr Guy.
“This will be the third ministerial visit to Iran in 12 months and reflects the growing importance of this relationship. This is an opportunity to strengthen our agricultural relationship, following the signing of an Agricultural Cooperation Arrangement in 2016.”
Mr Guy is also attending Gulfood, the world’s largest food tradeshow being held in Dubai
“Over ten New Zealand exporters will be attending this major event which is attended by global buyers.”
The trip also involves bilateral meetings with members of the UAE Government in Dubai.
Accompanying Mr Guy on the trip is a business delegation including representatives from Fonterra, the Meat Industry Association and Zespri.
Mr Guy departs today and returns to New Zealand on 2 March.
| A Beehive release | February 24, 2017 ||