80616 (2024). Hon Jo Luxton to the Minister for Biosecurity

80616 (2024). Hon Jo Luxton to the Minister for Biosecurity: Has the Minister received any advice or information suggesting the response capability for bird flu in New Zealand may be inadequate or insufficient, and if so, what is this by title and date?

Hon Andrew Hoggard: The actions taken by MPI, One Health partners, and the poultry industry, in response to the H7N6 HPAI outbreak has demonstrated New Zealand has a robust and high-performing response system. I have received regular updates on the developments and progress of the response since first detection. I was advised that as the response progressed MPI were facing unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with enhanced scientific testing, surveillance and potential industry compensation costs. To address this, Cabinet has approved new funding of $20million. As part of preparations for the possible arrival of the H5N1 HPAI strain, I have received regular updates and assurances on the progress of readiness, response and recovery work MPI and its One Health partners are undertaking. This includes MPI’s close collaboration with commercial poultry representatives to raise industry readiness and response capability by improving on-farm biosecurity practices, develop response plans and enable operators return to trade as quickly as possible.