78699 (2024). Steve Abel to the Minister for Biosecurity

78699 (2024). Steve Abel to the Minister for Biosecurity: What advice, if any, received by the Minister, their Office or MPI regarding biosecurity risks of an avian influenza (bird flu) outbreak was followed by the operators of the sheds that contained chickens that tested positive for avian influenza (‘bird flu’) at a chicken farm in North Otago?

Hon Andrew Hoggard: The operators of the sheds that contained chickens that tested positive for avian influenza are following all issued statutory and legal directions from MPI. All these activities have been reviewed by MPI and are being monitored and verified. Their procedures and processes have been developed as part of an ongoing collaborative readiness programme between industry and government, including study trips to Australia and the UK. This collaborative approach to readiness has laid the platform for effective coordination of surveillance, operations and information-sharing in this response.