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Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard.
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says that events over the last few weeks have highlighted the importance of a strong biosecurity system.
He says staff at the border are increasingly vigilant following confirmation from German authorities of the country’s first outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in nearly 40 years on Friday in a herd of water buffalo outside Berlin.
“New Zealand recognises the European Union’s protocols to manage FMD are in line with international standards and equivalent to New Zealand’s,” Hoggard says.
He says German authorities have notified the World Organisation for Animal Health and have implemented appropriate measures to manage the risks, including a restricted zone for animals and animal products as well as biosecurity measures, movement controls, the destruction of affected animals and products, disinfection, and surveillance.
“This is why we take biosecurity very seriously here in New Zealand,” Hoggard says.
This summer has proven a busy one for Biosecurity New Zealand staff.
In December, a single case of high pathogenicity avian influenza on an Otago poultry farm led to decontamination efforts which are still continuing.
This month has seen the discovery of a fruit fly in South Auckland where biosecurity controls remain in place.
“It’s a good reminder for all New Zealanders about how vital biosecurity is to us,” Hoggard says. “Incursions of pests and diseases don’t take a break and that’s why our biosecurity system doesn’t sleep.”
At this stage there are no concerns regarding products imported into New Zealand from Germany.
In its submission on proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act, DairyNZ says its levy-paying members invested more than $60 million across the biosecurity system last year, through multiple biosecurity levies across several entities and legislative frameworks to collect this funding.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has received 136 submissions on proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act.
Horticulture New Zealand says the recent discovery of a male Oriental fruit fly in Auckland is concerning for New Zealand growers.
DairyNZ says a more integrated and sustainably-funded biosecurity system is needed as part of changes to the Biosecurity Act 1993.
Biosecurity New Zealand says that more officers, detector dogs, and airport hosts, accompanied by an enhanced public awareness campaign, will bolster New Zealand’s biosecurity protections this summer.
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says that events over the last few weeks have highlighted the importance of a strong biosecurity system.
In its submission on proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act, DairyNZ says its levy-paying members invested more than $60 million across the biosecurity system last year, through multiple biosecurity levies across several entities and legislative frameworks to collect this funding.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has received 136 submissions on proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act.
Nick Beeby has been appointed as the new chief executive of the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB).
Global beef supply will contract this year for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Rabobank.
Changes to migrant visa settings announced last month should take a lot of pressure off farmers in the new season, says Federated Farmers immigration spokesman Richard McIntyre.
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