The Government has backed the response to high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago.
The Biosecurity Act has enabled Biosecurity New Zealand to instruct a farmer to depopulate a shed or farm or to impose controls on their operations to prevent the spread of an unwanted organism.
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said the Cabinet had approved new funding of NZD 20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response.
This included rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 laboratory at Wallaceville in Wellington, ongoing surveillance, and cover compensation costs.
Hoggard added that testing and monitoring to date showed no signs of high pathogenic avian influenza HPAI in chicken farms outside of Mainland Poultry’s commercial free-range egg farm at Hillgrove in Otago.
The farm has remained under strict biosecurity controls. It has undergone intense cleaning and decontamination, which will continue over the next several weeks after depopulation finished last week.
About 200,000 chickens at the property were humanely culled after HPAI H7N6 was detected on the 1st of December.
“HPAI has not been found anywhere else in New Zealand, there is still work to do, and we are prepared to take action should any issue arise, but we are on track to stamp this out,” said Hoggard.
“The Mainland Poultry detection triggered a swift and extensive response from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), involving more than 200 staff.”
He added that as part of the response, around 1,400 samples have been received for testing and analysis at MPI’s internationally recognised laboratory at Wallacevill to date.
The response effort, which will continue through enhanced surveillance into the New Year, has resulted in extra, unbudgeted costs for MPI. Mainland Poultry has also incurred costs and lost income.
“Officials will work through the compensation process with the farmer. I thank the farmer and poultry industry for working with MPI in this response and for helping farmers have strong biosecurity measures in place."
