A PUBLICATION OF MAF BIOSECURITY NEW ZEALAND biosecurityISSUE 77, 1 AUGUST 2007 Pacifi c ant prevention programme New diagnostic test – MAF scientists lead international collaboration Norm Hewitt to front animal empathy campaign Surveillance 6 1155 2211 editorial Biosecurity surveillance – a key contributor Katherine Clift to achieving biosecurity outcomes Biosecurity magazine AF Biosecurity New Zealand’s spongiform encephalopathy surveillance appointed and you can fi nd their profi les Biosecurity is published six-weekly by (MAFBNZ’s) mission is programmes features on page 8. within these pages. This group has MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, with contents M to protect New Zealand’s The introduction of the OIE’s World responsibility for post-border surveillance regular input from the Department natural advantage by making timely and across the animal, environment, marine of Conservation, Ministry of Health, Animal Health Information System informed biosecurity risk management and plant sectors. Ministry of Fisheries and regional EDITORIAL (WAHIS) during 2006 has emphasised councils. It is of special interest to all Surveillance a key contributor to achieving biosecurity outcomes . .3 decisions and implementing them. the importance of timely and accurate This group is leading the development of a those with a stake in the protection Biosecurity surveillance – the collection, information on animal diseases. This national Biosecurity Surveillance Strategy of New Zealand’s economic, FRONTLINE NEWS collation, analysis, interpretation and is coupled with a web-based interface to enable us to meet the expectations of environmental and social assets The battle for the Pacifi c: Keeping invasive ants at bay . .4 timely dissemination of information on (WAHID) that provides access to the New Zealand Biosecurity Strategy from the dangers posed by pests and What’s growing on down under? . .6 the presence, distribution or prevalence of contributing countries’ animal health and set the direction for future biosecurity diseases. Animal welfare issues are Getting boaties, divers and swimmers on the biosecurity lookout . .7 pests and diseases – is a vital part of the also covered. The articles in this data. surveillance activities. See page 16 for more TSE surveillance programme helps maintain high biosecurity system. magazine do not necessarily refl ect Surveillance also contributes to pest information on this exciting project. government policy. animal health status . .8 This is the fi rst edition of Biosecurity management by identifying the biodiversity Surveillance is acquiring a heightened Avian infl uenza surveillance expands . .9 to focus on surveillance and in this For enquiries about specifi c articles, and distribution of pests and diseases profi le and importance both within New Revamped gypsy moth surveillance programme. .10 issue you will fi nd numerous examples refer to the contact listed at the end of within New Zealand so that eff ective Zealand and overseas. The continued each article. MAF well represented at the National Agricultural Fieldays . .11 of how surveillance is helping achieve intervention can be undertaken to mitigate spread of avian infl uenza worldwide Fruit fl y alert: Vigilant scout does the right thing . .12 MAFBNZ’s mission. General enquiries (e.g. circulation their impacts. The marine baseline surveys and unprecedented impacts of mountain Taiwan apple crisis concludes . .13 requests or information about Surveillance provides timely and accurate which appear on page 6 are providing pine beetle in British Columbia are just a MAF Biosecurity New Zealand): Demy helps smooth the path for VIP visit . .14 information to support biosecurity extremely valuable information on the couple of examples of the issues we face. Biosecurity Magazine, Environment Waikato targets new pests . .15 decision making, and eff ective surveillance biodiversity of New Zealand’s marine New pests and diseases are continuing to MAF Biosecurity Appointment to National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee . .15 is essential for early detection of pests and environment. They have resulted in emerge and rapid changes are occurring New Zealand, PO Box 2526, diseases within New Zealand. the identifi cation of a large number of in the distribution and impact of the ones Pastoral House, 25 The Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand. BIOSECURITY SYSTEMS In addition, surveillance undertaken as previously unrecorded organisms, both we already know about. This year at Building a biosecurity surveillance strategy . .16 native and non-indigenous, some of which the Animal Health Quadrilateral Group Phone: 04 894 0100 part of an incursion response informs MAF Biosecurity New Zealand heralds decisions about managing the incursion are new to science. meeting (Australia, New Zealand, United Fax: 04 894 0720 ‘whole of biosecurity’ system . .17 – including the potential for eradication. Surveillance will play an increasing role in States and Canada), the establishment Email: [email protected] The painted apple moth incursion is a detection and monitoring so that we can of a surveillance working group was endorsed. This group will promote Internet: www.biosecurity.govt.nz BIOSECURITY SCIENCE recent example of a successful eradication eff ectively mitigate risks to New Zealand. information exchange and provide Response to a marine incursion of Styela clava . .18 campaign, with the pest declared The Pacifi c ant initiatives featured on Editorial enquiries: opportunities for coordinating activities International recognition for New Zealand-developed eradicated in 2006. Targeted surveillance page 4 show how a coordinated regional and research. Editor: Phil Stewart diagnostic test . .20 has recently fi nished, but ongoing approach to biosecurity issues can Phone: 04 384 4688 surveillance will be provided through our have real benefi ts both for our Pacifi c We are not able to resource targeted high-risk site surveillance programme. Email: [email protected] BIOSECURITY INTERFACE neighbours and for managing New surveillance programmes for all the Zealand’s risk of invasive ant incursions. potential disease and pest threats New ISSN 1174 – 4618 Norm Hewitt ‘One of the Family’ campaign promotes empathy. .21 New Zealand’s plants and animals are Animal law issues canvassed at Harvard conference . .23 recognised internationally as being Prime Consulting’s International Zealand faces. Passive surveillance – Biosecurity New Zealand fax contacts: reporting of suspected pests and diseases Biosecurity Summit preview: Biosecurity and trade . .25 free of many signifi cant pests and Review (2002) of New Zealand’s Policy and Risk: 04 894 0731 diseases. This status is a major asset Biosecurity Surveillance System and by the public – remains an important part of our surveillance activities. “Getting Animal Welfare: 04 894 0728 UPDATES and signifi cantly contributes to our the New Zealand Biosecurity Strategy export trade in primary products. boaties, divers and swimmers on the Border Standards: 04 894 0733 New and amended import health standards . .25 (2003) both identifi ed a number of key Surveillance programmes enable us to recommendations for improving New biosecurity lookout” on page 7 recognises Post Border: 04 894 0736 New fees and charges: exports and technical services . .25 satisfy international requirements and Zealand’s surveillance system. the vital contribution that people can Enforcement and Audit: Draft import risk analyses and import health standard . .26 make to marine surveillance. 09 300 1021 provide trading partners with confi dence Codes of ethical conduct . .26 Implementation of these in our disease and pest assurances. New Investigation and Diagnostic recommendations has been delayed, but, While MAFBNZ leads our biosecurity Codes of welfare . .26 Zealand’s high health status for bovine Centres: 04 526 5601 to address this, and in recognition of the defences, all New Zealanders are NAWAC annual report available . .26 spongiform encephalopathy was recently fundamental importance of surveillance ultimately responsible for biosecurity and recognised by the World Organisation for to meeting MAFBNZ’s objectives, a protecting what is dear to us. Animal Health (OIE) which has granted DIRECTORY . .27 dedicated Biosecurity Surveillance Group Katherine Clift negligible risk status to New Zealand. has been established. A number of the Biosecurity Surveillance Manager Cover: Illustration by Words & Pictures Information on our transmissible MAF Biosecurity New Zealand members of this group have been recently 2 | MAF BIOSECURITY NEW ZEALAND | ISSUE 77 ISSUE 77 | MAF BIOSECURITY NEW ZEALAND | 3 FRONTLINE NEWS The battle for the Pacifi c: Keeping invasive ants at bay The fi ght to keep the Pacifi c region free of some of the world’s worst invasive ant species has stepped up a notch with surveillance at high-risk ports under the umbrella of the Pacifi c Ant Prevention Programme (PAPP). APP is the implementation arm The fi rst round of PIAS covered 18 of a strategy to protect the Pacifi c high-risk sea and airports in nine Pacifi c P region from the world’s worst island countries (Figure 1), and trained invasive ant species (the Pacifi c Ant over 70 quarantine service staff from 11 Prevention Plan, see Biosecurity issue Pacifi c island countries in surveillance 52:12). While Pacifi c island countries techniques. The good news is that there already host a number of recognised were no detections of high-impact exotic pest ant species, the region is still free ants, nor