- News from Andrew Hoggard –
Poultry sector gets stronger biosecurity backing to fight bird flu
The Government is introducing new biosecurity regulations to help poultry farmers manage H5 bird flu, protect livelihoods, and secure domestic food supply, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says.
“Now that H5 bird flu is here, it will almost certainly establish in wild birds.
“Cabinet has approved regulations to ensure the sector has the practices, infrastructure, reporting, and compliance tools needed to manage that risk.”
Poultry operators with more than 100 birds will be required to develop, register, and implement a farm biosecurity plan for avian disease, setting out how they will prevent and manage H5 bird flu.
“Biosecurity measures are currently voluntary in the poultry sector. While there is strong industry co-operation, farmers doing the right thing can still be put at risk by those who are not.”
“Biosecurity New Zealand and industry have been working together on a long-term approach to managing H5 bird flu. There is a good understanding of what good on-farm biosecurity looks like and plenty of information available to poultry farmers through the industry’s bird flu website”
“MPI is available, especially for smaller operators, through it’s On Farm Support team to help with the development of biosecurity plans and enhanced preparedness, including response plans.”
The regulations will focus on outcomes and the risks operators must manage, while giving them flexibility in how they do it.
Operators will need to keep records, undergo audits, and show clear plans for humane culling, disposal, cleaning, and disinfection if their operation is affected.
“When H5 bird flu becomes widespread in wild birds, poultry operators will face a constant infection risk. These regulations will lift on-farm readiness and give farmers the best possible chance to protect their businesses.”
Mr Hoggard says regulating the sector under the Biosecurity Act 1993 will also help protect food supply, trade, wild and captive birds, other animals, and people.
MPI consulted on the proposed regulations late last year and received 36 submissions, with feedback broadly supportive.
The regulations will now be drafted and shared with the industry bodies before coming into force by the end of 2026.
More flexibility for growers of smaller-scale crops
The Government is making it easier for growers of smaller-scale crops to use the agricultural chemicals they need to control pests and weeds, says Minister for Food Safety Andrew Hoggard.
Agricultural chemicals are subject to risk-based maximum residue levels (MRLs). Until now, growers of minor crops such as strawberries or leafy greens have often had to rely on low default MRLs where no specific New Zealand limit has been set.
“These growers now have a pathway to use internationally agreed, risk-based MRLs, helping them get better value from available herbicides and insecticides.
Codex, the international standards-setting agency, has already done the work. This is a practical solution that balances safety with flexibility and makes it easier for industry to do business. Industry strongly supports this change, which will give growers more options and support export opportunities,” Mr Hoggard says.
Most agricultural chemicals are registered for major crops, such as kiwifruit or apples, and their labels set out how they can be used.
Minor-crop growers who want to use the same products often need to do so off-label. Because default residue limits are low, they may have to use products early in the season or at less effective rates.
“Under the new pathway, strawberry growers could apply for a Codex MRL for sulfoxaflor, giving them another option to control aphids. A Codex MRL of 0.5 mg/kg would allow use during harvest with a practical withholding period, compared with New Zealand’s default MRL of 0.1 mg/kg, which requires a longer withholding period and limits its usefulness during the picking season,” Mr Hoggard says.
New Zealand Food Safety will assess each request. If it meets the criteria, public consultation will follow. If no concerns are raised, a New Zealand MRL based on the Codex MRL will be approved and adopted.
“This is about unlocking the potential of smaller-scale growers through sensible, practical rules that keep food safe and make it easier to get on with the job,” Mr Hoggard says.
More information about the new pathway and how to apply is on MPI’s website.
Source: NZ Government
