58100 (2024). Lan Pham to the Minister for Biosecurity

58100 (2024). Lan Pham to the Minister for Biosecurity: How many veterinarians, if any, could the Ministry for Primary Industries have available in the event of an incursion of avian flu?

Hon Andrew Hoggard: I am advised the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is establishing a Veterinary Network for Biosecurity Preparedness and Response with the New Zealand Veterinary Council and the private veterinary workforce. This network will provide a public-private partnership to engage veterinarians in both readiness and response activities with coverage across all regions of New Zealand, such as for high pathogenicity avian influenza. Additionally, New Zealand is a signatory country for the International Animal Health Emergency Reserve with the United Kingdom (UK), Ireland, Canada, United States of America (USA) and Australia. This arrangement permits signatory countries to share personnel in the event of an emergency animal disease (EAD) outbreak, to supplement their domestic emergency response capabilities.