TV1 News

Pre-Election Polling – Scrapie – Foot And Mouth – Biosecurity – NSW Flooding – Rugby Safety – Number Of Your Beast

- PRE-ELECTION POLLING: By the time we choose a government next year, key rules are likely to have changed. Amongst other changes, Winston Peter’s suggestion that opinion polls be banned in the 28 days before an election is being considered. Green and ACT don’t support banning polls, while National says it would have to go to caucus.

- SCRAPIE: Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton wants to know how millions of German households were misinformed that New Zealand sheep have scrapie in a pamphlet. He rang his German counterpart asking for an explanation. Meat NZ isn’t ruling out legal action. He is meeting the visiting German Farmers Union president on Wednesday.

- FOOT AND MOUTH: Britain had 25 new cases of foot and mouth confirmed today, some in previously untouched regions.

- BIOSECURITY: This afternoon the Government announced it is putting nearly $5m into extra biosecurity measures, including x-rays that can detect meat and fruit, and more sniffer dogs. National wants foot baths at airports.

- NSW FLOODING: Hundreds have been forced to flee their homes in northern New South Wales, as flood waters become a health hazard. Smithtown was completely cut off. Damage will cost tens of millions of dollars to repair.

- RUGBY SAFETY: A new programme has kicked off to tackle our worrying rugby injury record. It has been welcomed by the Wheel Black captain, who broke his neck playing school boy rugby.

- NUMBER OF YOUR BEAST: The last of the double Zs have rolled off the production line. New Zealand number plates have moved into the triple As.

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