OSPRI New Zealand seeking to add value to primary sector

15 February 2013

OSPRI New Zealand seeking to add value to primary sector

The name of the new organisation being formed through the merger of the Animal Health Board (AHB) and NAIT has been announced.

Chairman of the board, Jeff Grant, told a Stakeholders’ Council meeting today that in line with its intention to provide operational solutions for New Zealand’s primary industries, the organisation would be called OSPRI New Zealand.

“I would like to think that in five years’ time we will have gained recognition for having one of the best biosecurity and pest management strategies anywhere in the world,” said Mr Grant after the meeting.

“Making smarter use of data is a key priority and there are opportunities to further enhance government and industry collaboration, boost biosecurity preparedness and strengthen relationships.”

Mr Grant said extra value would be achieved by having the AHB and NAIT as one entity and this provided an ideal mix to explore broader opportunities.

“Part of the strategy will be to assist other organisations in biosecurity programmes, but the core commitment to the TBfree New Zealand and NAIT programmes will continue.”

William McCook was appointed chief executive of OSPRI New Zealand in November 2012. It is expected to be formally up and running by the middle of this year.

ENDS

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