Biosecurity New Zealand is closely monitoring reports of a Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Indonesia, deputy director-general Stuart Anderson says.
Biosecurity New Zealand was working to acquire more information from Indonesia and would also talk to its Australian counterparts.
“We will review the latest information from Indonesia and boost our already strong measures at the border if required.
“An audit last year of Indonesia’s supply chain for palm kernel, which is used as a feed supplement in New Zealand, showed it was meeting strong import health requirements.”
Anderson says he understands the outbreak is yet to be formally reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
“New Zealand has some of the world’s toughest biosecurity measures for FMD and although the risk is low, we have notified our primary sector partners.
“Our multi-layered biosecurity system includes risk assessment, visual inspections, X-ray screening, scanning technology, and detector dogs to prevent risk goods from being carried into New Zealand by travellers or arriving by mail.
“All shipping containers and imported goods are assessed for biosecurity risk.”
The suspected outbreak is a timely reminder for farmers to have strong biosecurity measures in place.
“Farmers should not feed untreated meat products to animals, especially pigs, and they should be keeping overseas visitors away from stock for a week after their last contact with animals overseas. It is essential that farmers continue using the national animal tracing system and having strong biosecurity plans on farm.
“Anyone concerned about their animals’ health, especially symptoms including high fever, mouth and feet blisters or erosions and lameness should call your veterinarian or MPI’s exotic pest and disease hotline (0800 80 99 66).”
