increase font size
Biosecurity New Zealand are implementing new biosecurity measures as direct flights from Indonesia resume.
Biosecurity New Zealand says it has implemented revised border measures to manage any possible threat of foot and mouth disease (FMD) from air passengers arriving directly from Bali.
This comes with the resumption of flights from Bali to NZ with the first direct flight from Denpasar arriving in Auckland on March 30. The resumptin of the seasonal service, which runs until 27 October, will bring up to 1,000 passengers a week into Auckland.
Biosecurity NZ says passengers from Bali will use a dedicated biosecurity lane and baggage carousel at Auckland Airport. They will also face footwear disinfection measures, including footbaths at the arrival gate when they step off the plane.
"Biosecurity New Zealand has been working with Air New Zealand to ensure travellers receive information about the revised requirements throughout their journey - including at departure from Denpasar, during the flight and at the baggage collection area on arrival," says Mike Inglis, Biosecurity New Zealand's northern regional commissioner.
"Passengers should expect additional questioning from our officers. If need be, they will be directed to undergo full baggage searches. The revised measures will minimise potential delays and disruption for air travellers while providing strong biosecurity protection for New Zealand."
Inglis says the revised measures build on enhanced clearance processes introduced in July last year for travellers arriving on indirect flights from Indonesia, due to an FMD outbreak. The measures included a ban on personal consignments containing meat products.
"Biosecurity New Zealand takes the FMD threat very seriously, given the damage it could inflict on producers and the New Zealand economy," he adds.
"We will continue to assess the situation in Indonesia and modify our border checks as required."
Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks could have a detrimental impact on any country's rural sector, as seen in the United Kingdom's 2000 outbreak that saw the compulsory slaughter of over six million animals.
Milton dairy farmer Chris Wills says he began using probiotics in spring 2023 to address somatic cell count (SCC) grades when cows transitioned from their winter barn to lush spring pasture.
Treat your farm boundary like a border. This was one of the messages delivered to farmers at a recent Beef + Lamb New Zealand Protect Your Patch workshop in Lincoln.
Feeding infected milk is high risk for spreading diseases such as M. bovis.
To ensure optimal growth, health, and wellbeing of calves, feeding strategies should be considered carefully.
Relationships are key to opening new trading opportunities and dealing with some of the rules that countries impose that impede the free flow of trade.
Dawn Meats chief executive Niall Browne says their joint venture with Alliance Group will create “a dynamic industry competitor”.
Tributes have flowed following the death of former Prime Minister and political and business leader, Jim Bolger. He was 90.
A drop in methane targets announced by the Government this month has pleased farmers but there are concerns that without cross-party support, the targets would change once a Labour-led Government is voted into office.
Farmer shareholders of meat processor Alliance have voted in favour of a proposed $270 million joint venture investment by Irish company, Dawn Meats.
The former chair of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and farmer, Doug Leeder, says rural communities' biggest fear right now is the lack of long-term certainty over environmental regulations.
OPINION: Media luvvies at Stuff, the Spinoff and the Granny Herald are spending more time than ever navel-gazing about why…
OPINION: Why does it take Treasury so long to turn around its figures on how the economy is tracking?
