Poultry Sector Bolstered Against Bird Flu Threat
The New Zealand government is introducing mandatory biosecurity regulations for poultry farmers to manage the threat of H5 bird flu. Operators with over 100 birds must now implement formal biosecurity plans to protect the food supply and industry.
Why it matters
These regulations are a proactive measure to mitigate the economic and health risks posed by the spread of avian influenza in the poultry sector.
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."
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