MPI Boss Says H5N1 Will Inevitably Reach New Zealand
Don’t worry about it but just be aware - that’s the message from Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director-general Ray Smith as the H5N1 strain of bird flu is found in Australia.
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.
