NEW GROUP IN MINISTRY

Press, 20 April 1979, Page 8

NEW GROUP IN MINISTRY

Restructuring within the advisory services division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has led to the formation of a field officer group to replace the horticultural inspectors and advisory assistants positions. The new group will proI vide a broader and more | flexible team to carry out ! the division’s servicing I and regulatory functions, according to Mr Ralph Yates, chief advisory officer (quality standards). “The new structure should prove, particularly effective in dealing with seasonal peak work-loads,” i he said. “New recruits to the group will be required to have diplomas in either agriculture or horticulture and will preferably have practical farming or horticultural backgrounds. “In the area of technical servicing, officers will assist in such advisory fields as design of drainage and on-farm irrigation schemes, water supplies, building and fencing designs, and costings.” Field officers will also be involved in organising I group extension activities, ; laying down field trials, preparing visual aids, collecting farm management data, and servicing farm I subsidies and drought re- ■■ lief, said Mr Yates. “Although the duties of i the field officer group will I cover a wide range, different regions do have situl ations that are peculiar to them alone. I “For this and other rea-

sons, field officers will be encouraged and have the opportunity to take periodic transfers so that they can broaden their experience and prepare themselves for wider responsibilities.” Mr Yates said that maintaining access for agricultural and horticultural produce to markets was one of the division’s important functions that would be part of field officers’ duties. “In the case of overseas orders this is done by ensuring the. produce complies with international requirements for plant health, quality standards, freedom from residues, and so on. “Field officers will keep producers and exporters advised of these requirements and will carry out inspections and surveys for pests and diseases, crop quality, and operation of certification schemes.” One of the basic functions of the division was to assist in maintaining New Zealand’s relative freedom from pests and diseases, said Mr Yates. “This will involve field officers in pest and disease identification, liaison with plant health diagnostic laboratories, surveys and control of outbreaks, and post-entry quarantine.” A new induction and initial training programme is to be offered this year, said Mr Yates, and officers will be expected to study for relevant Technical Correspondence Institute courses.