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NZ Pork general manager David Baines.
Farmers NZ-wide are being urged to lift their biosecurity – particularly on overseas travel and visitors – after a possible outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) was mooted in the Philippines earlier this month.
NZ Pork general manager David Baines says the outbreak, if confirmed, is a real concern for the NZ pig industry and the wider agricultural sector, which employs many workers from the Philippines.
He says the big worry for the pig sector is that farm workers from NZ could come in contact with the disease while visiting the Philippines and bring it back to this country.
“NZ’s pig farmers have very strict biosecurity practices, and are extremely careful about when workers and visitors can enter their farms after travel and especially when in contact with other pigs,” Baines said.
“Experienced farm workers from the Philippines play a large, positive role in NZ’s agricultural sector and work NZ-wide. So, we’re asking farmers and their staff to take a close look at the risks -- for example, if workers are travelling home to visit family and may come into contact with backyard pigs -- and take precautions to manage them.”
Baines says the industry is concerned that the disease could enter NZ via contact with infected animals or even on an item of clothing and be transmitted to pigs here.
“We are asking everyone in the community to be vigilant, observe biosecurity protocols and report any suspected signs immediately to MPI.”
It was recently announced that former MP and Southland farmer Eric Roy has stepped down of New Zealand Pork after seven years. Leo Argent talks with Eric about his time at the organisation and what the future may hold.
Pork farmers says a significant influx of imported pork is causing them concern.
Pig farmers say the idea that not every pork product sold in New Zealand has to be produced to this country’s own welfare standards is unfair.
New Zealand’s pork sector is calling for a ban on pork imported from countries with African Swine Fever (ASF) until New Zealand has assurance that robust biosecurity protocols are in place in those nations impacted by the disease.
Almost two thirds of pork consumed in New Zealand comes from countries that fail – and are not required – to meet our animal welfare standards.
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