New food safety standards are being rolled out across New South Wales for berry, leafy vegetable and melon growers.

The NSW Government has announced that two of the state’s key animal welfare organisations, RSPCA NSW and Animal Welfare League NSW, will receive $12.8 million towards their enforcement and compliance activities to better protect cats, dogs, livestock, and other animals across the state.

NSW Farmers has welcomed a parliamentary vote supporting the establishment of a Royal Commission into water management, describing it as a critical step towards restoring confidence in the system.

Aboriginal communities in northern New South Wales are strengthening preparedness for the potential arrival of H5 avian influenza through a mob-led gathering in Armidale.

NSW Farmers is warning family farms are being hit with significant new land tax bills after diversifying into farmgate sales and agritourism experiences.   The organisation says reports are increasing of producers being charged up to three hundred thousand dollars in land tax for activities such as cellar doors, fruit stalls and pick-your-own operations.

The New South Wales Government has announced a $4.2 million expansion of shark safety measures, aimed at improving protection for swimmers and surfers this summer, following a spate of recent shark incidents off the state’s coast.

The New South Wales Government has announced an additional $2 million rebate to support the rollout of mandatory electronic identification for sheep and goats, however, NSW Farmers has criticised the package, arguing it does not include ongoing discounts on eID tags themselves, leaving producers to shoulder rising compliance costs.

The New South Wales Government is progressing a major reform of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, proposing the most significant update to the state’s animal welfare laws in years.

The first contingent of firefighters from New South Wales has returned home after assisting Victorian communities affected by recent bushfires.