Frontline biosecurity 'untouchable'
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has reiterated that 'frontline' biosecurity services within Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will not be cut under the Government's plan to reduce the public service.
Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) this morning officially opened its M. bovis regional hub in Whangarei.
MPI recovery coordinator for Northland Alison Whiteford says up until last month, affected farmers in Northland were managed from the Hamilton hub.
She says technical support staff needed on farms for recovery work were based in Hamilton.
“There is so much M. bovis-related activity over here so it’s good to have a central office for the region,” she says.
Northland farmers can now more easily access vet support as they deal M.bovis on their farms, she says.
The new office will have 12 case managers based full-time.
Whiteford says the new office will ensure greater access to MPI support for farmers.
Primary Industries Minister Damien O’Connor officially opened the office.
