Poultry farmers required to create bird flu biosecurity plans under new regulations
New government regulations in New Zealand will require poultry farmers with over 100 birds to implement mandatory biosecurity plans to combat the risk of H5 bird flu. These measures, which include record-keeping and clear protocols for disease management, aim to protect the domestic food supply and industry livelihoods.
Why it matters
Mandatory biosecurity measures are critical for preventing large-scale agricultural outbreaks and ensuring food security as avian influenza becomes more prevalent in wild bird populations.
Poultry farmers will be required to create bird flu biosecurity plans under new government regulations.
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said the regulations would help farmers manage the disease, protect livelihoods, and secure domestic food supply.
"Now that H5 bird flu is here, it will almost certainly establish in wild birds," he said.
"Cabinet has approved regulations to ensure the sector has the practices, infrastructure, reporting, and compliance tools needed to manage that risk."
Poultry farmers with more than 100 birds will be required to develop, register, and implement a biosecurity plan setting out how they will prevent and manage bird flu.
Biosecurity measures are currently voluntary, Hoggard said.
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