FMD Report Major Wake Up Call for NZ

FMD Report Major Wake Up Call for NZ

A wake up call for all New Zealanders is how Federated Farmers of New Zealand President Tom Lambie described the Reserve Bank's report The macroeconomic impacts of a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.

"For too long the importance of agriculture to the New Zealand economy has been underestimated," said Mr Lambie.

"The reality of 20,000 jobs losses and a $10 billion drop in GDP reinforces the need for Government to ensure that biosecurity is resourced to the same levels as other security agencies.

"For Aucklanders sitting around the Viaduct Basin the reality is they could go to sleep as a member of the international jet set and wake as citizen of a third world country.

"It also raises the question of New Zealand's preparedness should the unthinkable occur and we are faced with an FMD outbreak.

"All New Zealanders must take responsibility for protecting our biosecurity and educating overseas visitors on its significance to our economy.

"New Zealand cannot afford to be complacent. An FMD outbreak would be catastrophic for all."

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