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An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including one related to horticulture industry in New Zealand, the other on Fruitgrowers Federation and the third on high value crop in Central Otago.

The article presents the author's insights on the 2012 HortNZ conference. The author says that David Carter, Minster for Primary Industries, has addressed the HortNZ conference led a crusade with inaccurate information on the biosecurity system in New Zealand. He mentions that Carter's attitude has infuriated growers, in which the organization makes no apologies for Carter's comments. He adds that they are carrying out a role to support plant growers.

The article offers the author's insights on the supply chain in Australia and New Zealand. The author states that retail and supermarket chains in Australia are rapidly growing making an oversupplied produce. He adds that farm produce in New Zealand has long been gone in New Zeeland and growers are ensuring a true market return.

The author comments on the plan of the government in New Zealand. The author believes that despite the good intentions of the government to protect the fishing, horticulture, agriculture and floral and fauna of the country with biosecurity profiling, it affects the livelihood of growers. He states that the government should focus on cutting the expenses of unproductive activities instead of restructuring the Ministry of Primary Industries and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

The article offers the author's insights on the condition of export industry in horticulture in New Zealand. He mentions that horticulture is the sixth largest export industry in the country with more than 3.5 billion U.S. dollars export annually. He states that the value of exports is benefitting everyone particularly exporters who are driven by volume and commission. He considers the solid returns issue in export products as the problem evolving in the country.

The article presents the author's views and experiences on issues concerning biosecurity in New Zealand. The author states that he can fully understand why growers are upset about the arrival of Psa, as they have called an inquiry and compensation as well. According to him, HortNZ (Horticulture New Zealand) remains a leader in the united industry approach to biosecurity.

The article presents the author's insights on the works done by the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) for growers in the media to raise the profile of the industry. The author reveals that the growers are supported by the HortNZ from every sector and region to enable them to represent the industry on Resource Management Act (RMA) issues. However, he adds that the work accomplished by the HortNZ is only appreciated by those growers who are directly affected by the RMA.

The article debates on U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama's remarks who wants that all households in the U.S. should have a vegetable and fruit garden for their own consumption. It discusses how far her remarks are right and what impacts it will have on the industry including what steps industry needs to take to enhance the freshness of produce in supply chain that would make commercial growers' offering at par to home-grown produce.

The article focuses on the challenges facing the horticulture industry in New Zealand. The global economic crisis and financial turmoil in the U.S. and Europe have affected the market appetite for export products in New Zealand while strong competition and price pressure from retail continues to dominate domestic fruit and vegetable production. The Horticulture New Zealand was also challenged as levy that funds growers in the country expires and requires a referendum for the funding to continue.

The author discusses the Resource Management Act (RMA) in New Zealand. He says that in spite that the legislation have good intentions, it comprises some provisions that send growers mad. He emphasizes that the RMA serves as the new growth industry of the country's local government. He stresses that the key ingredients for the RMA which include water, air, and soil are also the key elements for horticulture which cause tension and cost to growers.

The article offers the author's insights on the relationship between Australia and New Zealand in terms of exportation and importation of agricultural products such as apples. The author mentions that apple growers in New Zealand are protesting their inability to face competition, along with the policy of Australia to buy Australian-made products. Furthermore, the clamor of New Zealanders to boycott Australian-made products is discussed.

In this article the author discusses the Government Industry Agreements (GIA) in New Zealand to streamline and improve its borders while protecting horticultural industry from biosecurity risks. He says that GSA is critical to the country and horticulture, but, the sector has been violated with the arrival of pests and diseases. He emphasizes that growers serve as the victims of such crime. He questions on where is the justice for growers as they will pay with their livelihood and life's work.

The article offers information on Horticulture New Zealand, an organization that manages industry wide issues confronting horticulturists and growers in New Zealand. The organization supports growers on the government policy issues such as the RSE labour scheme, RMA risk management, and the grower's use of water, education, and biosecurity. Moreover, HortNZ foresees that its biggest challenge is to communicate the role and the benefits of grower funded and owned industry organisation.

In this article the author discusses positive attitude farmers of New Zealand should maintain inspite facing problems. He states that inspite issues faced by growers they should remain hopeful for the future as the country's quality export has global demand. He mentions that spring is about to arrive and due to its warmth new crop begins. He highlights that the country local produce is the best tasting in the world which is envied by other countries.

The article presents the author's views on the developments in the horticulture industry in New Zealand in 2011. He remarks that as the economy tightens significantly, New Zealand market will lose an enormous amount of liquidity. He comments that each grower and horticulture businesses will be affected by the successes and failures in horticulture, human cost and the scale of destruction.

The author discusses the reshuffling of the cabinet of the New Zealand by the Prime Minister John Key and states that Nathan Guy was elevated to be the Minister of Primary Industry and to manage the horticulture industry of the country. He also discusses issues related to industry strategy for produce and export and biosecurity threats to the industry. He also discusses policies of the former Minister of Primary Industry David Carter related to water and irrigation infrastructure.

The article offers information on the Momentum conference hosted by Zespri in New Zealand related to kiwifruit industry of the country and current crisis related to plant diseases. The topics included the reduction of production by 30 percent due to crisis and the established capability of growers' market team and brand value in addition to the industry structure which will help in passing through the crisis.

In this article, the author discusses voting in support of the organization Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) levy referendum and thanks all the growers of New Zealand who voted in support of the levy referendum. It mentions that 85 percent of the growers voted in favor for the endorsement of HortNZ. It informs that HortNZ was established in 2005 and has gained the support of the horticulture industry including growers and product groups.

A recent argument in the neuroethics literature has suggested that brain-mental-state identities (one popular expression of what is commonly known as neuroreductionism) promise to settle epistemological uncertainties about nonhuman animal minds. What's more, these brain-mental-state identities offer the further promise of dismantling the deadlock over the moral status of nonhuman animals, to positive affect in such areas as agriculture and laboratory animal science. I will argue that neuroscientific claims assuming brain-mental-state identities do not so much resolve the problem of other animal minds as mark its resolution. In the meantime, we must rely on the tools available to us, including those provided by such behavioral sciences as cognitive ethology, comparative psychology, and ethology as well as the neurosciences. Focusing on captive animal research, I will also argue that humane experimentalists do not doubt that many of their research subjects have minds (in some substantive sense of that term). In that light, to suggest that the resolution of the problem of other animal minds would change the scientific use of animals misses the point at issue. Instead, what is required is a ‘sea change’ in the perceived grounds for human moral obligations to nonhumans. It is difficult to see how brain-mental-state identities could be the deciding factor in this continuing issue in applied ethics.

The article presents quotes from Andrew Fenton, president of Horticulture New Zealand, regarding the idea of competition that Australian growers and their politician will get used to, phytosanitary requirements for New Zealand growers and exporters, and their rise to such challenge.

The article focuses on the views of Andrew Fenton, president of Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) at the annual conference of HortNZ in 2011. It notes that Fenton statesthat the horticultural industry is made up of various types of growers who grow different crops. Fenton points out that corporate growers play a significant role in the horticulture industry.

The author expresses his thoughts for growers who were victims of the earthquake on February 22, 2011 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The author discusses the importance for growers to manage product volume to match demand in New Zealand. The author says that growers have suffered the effects of rising costs both imposed by central government in the form of business compliance and higher minimum wages. However, he notes that the scenario can be changed by innovating and thinking of more value in order to ease their struggle for profitability.

The article focuses on the opportunities faced by the farm growers in New Zealand for 2011. It notes that export growers are preparing for the autumn harvest while some growers are in active harvest mode during the holiday period of fresh produce. Also, it mentions the Horticulture Industry Strategy to 2020 which presents the change that growers must act to improve the economics of horticulture.

In this article, the author discusses the response of the kiwifruit industry to the outbreak of Pseudomonas Syringae pv Actinidiae (Psa) bacteria in vines in Te Puke, New Zealand. He explores the significant role of Zespri Group Ltd., the Kiwifruit Growers Inc. (KGI), the Ministry of Agriculture's Biosecurity team, and other government agencies in managing the crisis. He further argues that such cooperation provides benefits and lessons to the entire horticulture industry in the country.

The author compares the condition of agriculture in Europe and New Zealand and the challenges faced by people engaged in agricultural activities in Europe and New Zealand. It is stated that, unlike the conditions in New Zealand, farmers in Europe, through their village markets, are surviving, despite the power of supermarkets. It is stated that, the one great advantage which farmers in Europe have compared to farmers in New Zealand is the size and geography of agriculture market in Europe.

The article presents the author's comments on horticulture and the 2010 HortNZ conference that was held in Auckland, New Zealand recently. It is stated that the theme of the conference was "hortitude," which is defined as a state of mind of people working in the horticulture industry. The author says that plant growers should try their best to stop government from imposing costs that make horticulture exporters uncompetitive.

In this article, the author discusses the issue for horticultural producers, grower groups and industry organizations regarding the problem of not being informed about horticulture in New Zealand. He gives two reasons over this matter, the total information overload and the growers' focus on issues that make money and are related to the product. The author also notes the importance of biosecurity that ensures the industry to have border protection system in place that growers can afford.

In this article the author reflects upon the budget allocated for agriculture by the government of New Zealand for 2010. He states that the budget might herald a new phase of progress and betterment of New Zealand and discusses the impact which the 15 percent rise in Goods and Services Tax (GST) will have on the domestic fruit and vegetable sales market. He criticizes the government's decision to introduce the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and the impact it will have on greenhouse growers.

In this article the author discusses on asking the prime minister of New Zealand to defer the proposed Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). He says that implementing ETS in New Zealand will make them less competitive internationally. He also says that ETS will add cost to the fruit growers for which there will not be any recovery.

In this article the author discusses the Horticultural Industry Strategy which is being implemented for the industry in New Zealand. He relates that a task force charged with the implementation of the strategy, 10/2020, is under way since the strategy set a target of 10 billion dollars of sales from the industry by 2020. He suggests that the achievement of scale is a key element to the success of the strategy.

In this article the author discusses changes growers need to bring and how they are changing in New Zealand. He states that if growers do not change things then nothing will change in terms of their farm performance and profits. He mentions that farmers are changing in the country as they refuse to supply produce even to the largest buyers with produce below cost of production. He expresses that growers should not be at the mercy of market and should educate people about local produce.

In this article, the author discusses the development of horticulture in New Zealand in 2009. He notes that there have been success stories in this industry over the same decade though they are in the fruit and vegetable export market. He observes that the country experienced some losses associated to weather. He points out that the greens and tomato growers experience severe pressure since each of them fight for market share in an oversupplied market.

In this article, the author discusses the growth of the food industry in Asia in 2009. The author states that as he observed the AsiaFruit Congress in Hong Kong on the global made calendar, he recognizes that competition has known that Asia is the growth market of the future. The author says that Asia is the market for vegetables and fruit and is advancing in wealth per person and per country.

In this article the author discusses the impact of the changes in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) on horticulture and primary producers. He notes that the changes to passenger processing and government/ industry cost sharing for surveillance and incursion responses have alarmed the sector. He believes that discussion and commonsense approach towards MAF will protect the economy and ecology from biosecurity risk without overburdening the industry.

The article discusses various reports published within the issue, including one on biosecurity efforts on New Zealand airports, another one on Horticulture New Zealand's strategy for growers in 2020 and one on the AsiaFruit Congress in Hong Kong.

The article discusses various topics published within the issue including one on the issues discussed at the Horticulture New Zealand Conference 2009, one on helpful tips for the horticulture industry and another on opportunities for vegetable and fruit growers in New Zealand.

In this article the author offers his views on the condition of some farmers and their families in line with the declining profitability of growing fruits and vegetables in New Zealand. He mentions the significance to encourage competition at retail to overcome the effects of price pressure and the business requirements imposed by the government. The move of the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) to continue fighting for the common good of the growers is also highlighted.

In this article the author discusses the impact of supermarket pricing which has put pressure on growers in New Zealand. The author states that the increase in costs, the desire of consumer for cheaper food, and the ability to capture their slice of profit are the pressure faced by the growers. He states that the sale and distribution of food is governed by commercial law. He stresses that growers must know what are the costs, and learn how to say no in controlling one's business.

The article reports on the significant role played by employees in achieving success in the horticulural industry in New Zealand. The author stresses that employees can share skills and knowledge which is essential in enhancing the operations of growers. He also announces that the Horticulture New Zealand will conduct a conference which will focus on discussing the importance of employees in the industry.

The article presents the author's perspectives on the effect of global financial crisis on the farm producers in New Zealand. He states that as 2009 begins, growers need to do their best strength to confront the economic crisis that affected the domestic and export industries in the country. He also notes that 2009 would be a challenging year for the growers and their families so they need to work together to overcome those challenges.

In this article the author discusses the potential partnership of Horticulture New Zealand to the newly elected administration of Prime Minister John Key. It looks forward on establishing a solid relationship between the organization and David Carter, minister of Agriculture and Biosecurity. It asserts that the key factor for obtaining beneficial and positive outcomes for horticultural issues is to develop a credible relationship based on trust and confidence with the country's government.

The author reflects on the threat of biosecurity on horticulture in New Zealand. The author argues that the government needs to address the concern in order for the country to maintain its science capability and its recognition as the safest quality food grower. The author believes that the country of origin labelling should be introduced in all retail food stores.

The author reflects on the weakening of high exchange rate of the New Zealand dollar to the U.S. and its impact to export growers in New Zealand. He asserts that exchange rate which gains stability in a range between .66 and .77 cents, balances the economy and import or export trade value. He suggests that exporters must cooperate, so that they can provide the market critical mass to attract Asian buyers.

The author reflects on the impact of the winter season to food prices in New Zealand. It states that the winter result in a huge increase in operating costs for the vegetable grower trying his best to harvest through atrocious conditions and much product is being lost to waste from the mud, which means that the product us short which pushes the price up. He adds that too much supply and prices go down, but too little supply and prices go up.