Biosecurity Report Welcomed By Beef + Lamb New Zealand

28 February 2013

Biosecurity Report Welcomed By Beef + Lamb New Zealand

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) welcomes the release today, by the Office of the Auditor General, of the report into the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) preparedness and response to biosecurity incursions.

Dr Scott Champion, B+LNZ CEO, said the report made a number of observations and recommendations that have previously been identified by a joint-Government and industry report into the current state of readiness for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), published last year.

“These and other learnings from Exercise Taurus (a FMD incursion simulation) are the ongoing focus of a collaborative process between the affected livestock industries and MPI to make the improvements required in this area,” he said.

“Gaps in preparedness for FMD, the country’s biggest biosecurity threat, cannot remain and B+LNZ is confident that the analysis work that has already been done along with the cooperation and support of the livestock industries have led to a step change in understanding and motivation to ensure that priority risks are adequately managed.

“We’re aware that no border can ever be 100% secure and recognise that any incursion would require massive mobilisation of the country’s resources, both industry and Government,” Champion said.

“To do this, integrated planning is essential.”

On behalf of sheep and beef farmers, B+LNZ remains committed to working with MPI and the other industries to bring about the necessary improvements.


ENDS

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