Fonterra is looking at full or partial divestment options for two of its consumer businesses. Photo: Photo / AFP
A wrap of the week's rural news from RNZ's rural news desk.
Fonterra is looking to sell two of its consumer businesses. The co-op is looking at full or partial divestment options for Fonterra Oceania, which runs brands like Mainland, and Anchor - and Fonterra Sri Lanka. Find out more here.
The country's winegrowers are concerned changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme will impact their workforce and therefore future harvests. Find out more here.
Meanwhile close to 15 hundred ni Vanuatu Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers are stranded in New Zealand, after Air Vanuatu went into voluntary liquidation leaving them no easy way to get home. Find out more here.
Air Vanuatu going into voluntary liquidation is causing issues for RSE workers trying to get home. Photo: Wikipedia
In other labour news, the Ministry for Primary Industries says it will disestablish 391 jobs or about 10 percent of its workforce - slightly more than the original proposal of 384 jobs. It does not include frontline roles like vets, animal welfare officers or border biosecurity teams. Find out more here.
Beekeeper Steven Brown - Springbank Honey hives destroyed because of American Foulbrood detection. Photo: Facebook / Steven Brown
Honey producer Springbank Honey is calling for a new approach to addressing honey bee disease American Foulbrood (AFB) after having to burn more than 10,000 of its beehives and equipment in response to an outbreak.
However, Apiculture New Zealand says alternatives like vaccines aren't yet approved in some markets like the US, and the use of antibiotics would threaten export market access. Find out more here.
