Biosecurity 52

Issue 52 • 15 June 2004 A publication of MAF Biosecurity Authority Welfare of sheep in live shipments debated: p7 Also in this issue Developing a risk management framework Bagpipes, BSE and bullets Wireworm in New Zealand ostriches Pacific ant prevention plan security Mathematical modelling to predict pest spread Surveillance for forestry pests Container checks prove their worth Blueberry rust blows in GMO testing methods How to contact us: Everyone listed at the end of an article as a contact point, unless otherwise indicated, is part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Contents Biosecurity Authority. All MAF staff can be contacted by email. The standard format for all addresses is [email protected] For example Michelle Threadgold would be 3 Biosecurity strategy sees accountabilities redefined [email protected] 4 An integrated risk management framework PO Box 2526, Wellington New Zealand 5 MAF plant health specialist seconded to lead international body Budget boost for biosecurity defences (+64) 4 474 4100 (switchboard) most staff have direct dial lines which 6 Funding review looks at cost recovery are listed where available International speakers for Biosecurity Institute seminar (+64) 4 474 4133 7 Challenging ethical issues at Australian veterinary conference • Animal Biosecurity Group 8 From Massey to bagpipes, BSE and to bullets in the Balkans (+64) 4 470 2730 9 Animal welfare law conference promotes effectiveness of NZ legislation • Biosecurity Coordination Group Biosecurity People: Animal Biosecurity – Tim Das – Policy Team – Indigenous Flora & Fauna Team 10 Bird flu at Cambodian wildlife rescue centre – Contracts Management Team New Zealand helps combat international animal disease outbreaks – International Team 11 New internal parasite found in ostriches (+64) 9 368 5148 12 Ants recognised as Pacific’s most serious pest threat • Director Border Management • Border Management Group, 13 Biosecurity flavour to Entomological Society gathering Auckland Ant surveillance picks up incursions (+64) 4 474 2738 14 Trans-Tasman relationship strengthened • Border Management Group, 15 Model age spread: using mathematics to plot tests Wellington 16 North American conference highlights significant forestry pests (+64) 4 498 9888 Gypsy moth and fall webworm responses – No news is good news • Group Director and Director, Business Support, Biosecurity 17 Surveillance for two serious forestry pests refined Authority 18 Increased scrutiny paying dividends • Director, Animal Biosecurity Training for accredited persons • Director, Plants Biosecurity 19 Wildlife at the borderline • Director, Forest Biosecurity • Director, Biosecurity Coordination Consultation on changes to import requirements for plants • Animal Welfare Group 20 Plant protection conference in The Netherlands (+64) 4 474 4257 21 GMO testing methods focus of international seminar • Plants Biosecurity Group Biosecurity interests considered at international civil aviation conference (+64) 4 470 2741 22 New blueberry pest blows in • Forest Biosecurity Group ASB Bank House, 101 The Terrace, Wellington 22 New and amended import health standards issued – Animals Biosecurity is published 6-weekly by MAF 24 Codes of ethical conduct – approvals, notifications and revocations since the Biosecurity Authority. It covers biosecurity last issue of Biosecurity and animal health, animal welfare, plant Draft import health standards for consultation – Plants health and forest health issues. It is of special Entry conditions for Actinidia nursery stock and seed for sowing interest to all those with a stake in New Zealand’s agriculture, horticulture, forestry, Changes to import health permit requirements for the importation of grains animal welfare and environment. and seeds for processing and consumption Enquiries about specific articles: Refer to contact listed at the end of the relevant article. General enquiries (eg, circulation requests or 25 New organism records: 29/03/04 – 14/05/04 information about MAF's biosecurity work): Biosecurity Magazine MAF Biosecurity Authority PO Box 2526, Wellington Cover: The welfare of sheep in feedlots was one of the ethical issues debated at the Phone: 04 474 4100 Australian Veterinary Association conference. Story p7. Fax: 04 498 9888 Email: [email protected] Editorial enquiries: Editor: Phil Stewart Phone: 04 384 4688 Email: [email protected] ISSN 1174 – 4618 www.maf.govt.nz/biosecurity Biosecurity strategy sees accountabilities redefined By Larry Fergusson Deputy Director General MAF has been Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry “ A part of creating the biosecurity engaged in the system envisaged by the Biosecurity biosecurity business for “ Strategy is to define what biosecurity much of its existence is and is not. In other words: where are the boundaries between the system and other accountabilities and what fragmentation of accountability, biodiversity and ecosystems outside the are the interlinkages? resulting in gaps, overlaps and conservation estate. inconsistencies. The Government’s The Ministry of Health is concerned MAF has been engaged in the response was a decision that MAF would about the potential for new organisms biosecurity business for much of its be the accountable agency. In making to act as sources of, or vectors for, existence. Originally, MAF was focused those decisions however, the diseases affecting humans. For example, on protecting New Zealand’s developing Government agreed that MAF would health authorities have a long history of agricultural, pastoral and horticultural not take responsibility for the pest involvement in port sanitation and the industries from the threat of pests and management functions of agencies such potential for vermin to transmit new diseases that would damage production as DoC, and that MAF would not diseases to New Zealanders. More or inhibit our ability to sell our products become accountable until it had recently, there has been a concern about to other countries. From early days there developed the appropriate capabilities. the impact of new organisms on human was also a concern for broader issues In the marine context, the boundaries wellbeing (for example, aggressive such as the ban on the importation on between biosecurity and fisheries biting insects). snakes and spiders. Eventually the management are relatively clear. legislation was amended to include While MAF will take accountability for However, this is an area where there are broader environmental concerns. the contribution that the biosecurity currently plenty of moving parts. systems can make to all the objectives In the early 1990s, a plethora of Government has embarked on an oceans above, it does not take accountability for legislation was replaced by two Acts: the policy review looking at the agencies the objectives themselves. Hazardous Substances and New and legislation that manage the marine Organisms Act and the Biosecurity Act. environment. The foreshore and seabed Among the suggestions that came out of legislation is currently before the Biosecurity Strategy process was the The latter Act enabled other parliament, aquaculture is being establishment of a chief executives’ departments, regional government and reviewed and the Government has made forum, comprising the four government sector groups to take action to protect commitments concerning the agencies referred to earlier. This body their areas of interest from biosecurity development of marine reserves. Marine will clarify the interlinkages and threats. Hence we have seen the biosecurity is relevant to all of these interactions between the objectives of all development of essentially private pest issues, and the agencies involved extend the agencies and set the objectives for management strategies (e.g. the Bovine beyond the Ministry of Fisheries. the biosecurity system. It will be the Tb Pest Management Strategy under the forum in which the chief executives auspices of the Animal Health Board), The Department of Conservation has agree how they will work together to regional pest management strategies and long been involved in the management achieve their combined objectives. the involvement of other government of pests and diseases to protect the agencies in biosecurity. conservation estate. In order to do that, Another significant element in the it has also had an interest in what picture of joint contributions is the role There are currently four central others, regional councils in particular, of regional councils. A regional/central government agencies with a biosecurity do to manage pests that might threaten government chief executives’ forum has interest: MAF, the Ministry of Fisheries the conservation estate. DoC also also been established. There is already concerned with marine biosecurity, DoC administers other legislation that very significant collaboration between with protecting our indigenous provides for the management of pests these two elements of government and biosecurity, and the Ministry of Health (e.g. the Wild Animal Control Act). this body will serve to enhance and with threats to human health. There are other initiatives which build on that foundation. One of concerns articulated in the DoC takes to manage pests on a www.maf.govt.nz/biosecurity- Biosecurity Strategy was the national basis to protect indigenous strategy/strategy-index.htm Biosecurity Issue 52 • 15 June 2004 3 An integrated risk management framework Among the projects of the Biosecurity Limited resources is the fundamental The prioritisation

Load more