Category: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Biosecurity New Zealand says initial testing and ongoing monitoring is showing no signs yet of disease on other chicken farms operated by Mainland Poultry in Otago, however extensive work continues.

About 1,000 samples have been received for testing at the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI’s) internationally recognised laboratory at Wallaceville in Wellington, and it is prioritising analysis according to assessed risk.

“The first batch of results, and ongoing monitoring at Mainland Poultry’s properties that have links to the Hillgrove site, show no signs of new disease at this stage, which is promising. However, we are continuing rigorous testing as the disease has an incubation period,” Biosecurity New Zealand’s deputy director-general Stuart Anderson says.

“There have been no signs of production loss or ill birds at Mainland Poultry’s 5 other properties to date, and we will keep monitoring closely.”

Mr Anderson says samples from a smaller free-range chicken farm near Dunedin are being closely analysed and test results are expected soon.

“We acted swiftly on Tuesday, issuing a precautionary restricted placed notice for the property after some of its estimated 6,000 birds died. Those restrictions stopped the movement of material on and off the farm,” Mr Anderson says.

“Testing is normal in biosecurity responses where illness is identified. We acknowledge this is an extremely difficult time for the affected farmers, through no fault of their own, and we are working to support them.”

Mr Anderson says samples are being analysed at the MPI’s multi-million-dollar laboratory in Wallaceville, which is the only facility of its kind in the country.

“We are fortunate to have the facility at Wallaceville. It is the only enhanced PC3 laboratory in the country, meaning it has the highest level of biocontainment approved in New Zealand,” Mr Anderson says.

“This is New Zealand’s first veterinary laboratory to be recognised internationally as a reference laboratory. Having this specialist testing capability means we can get test results faster. Previously, we would have had to send these types of samples to Australia for testing and analysis.

“Staff at the laboratory are methodically working their way through hundreds of samples at a time.”

Mr Anderson says work is continuing today to support Mainland Poultry to humanely cull chickens in 2 of its sheds on one of its Otago farms.

“We are working at a steady pace and the depopulation is progressing well. Two trucks transporting carcasses, eggs and litter from the affected sheds, left the property yesterday afternoon,” Mr Anderson says.

“The material is being taken to a secure landfill in Southland, which is equipped to take this kind of waste.

“The cull is using the industry standard practice of CO₂ containerised gas, which farms regularly use to euthanise chickens.”

Mr Andersons says rigorous testing will need to continue over the coming days and weeks and Biosecurity New Zealand will take action as required.

“The incubation period for the virus is usually 3 to 14 days, with a possibility up to 21 days, so testing will continue over the next 2 to 3 weeks,” Mr Anderson says.

Biosecurity New Zealand has increased its presence on the ground in Otago and has set up a regional control centre to manage the situation.

Mr Anderson reminded people the risk to human health remains low, and there are no concerns for food safety or wildlife.

“Avian influenza viruses are killed by cooking, so it remains safe to eat thoroughly cooked egg and poultry products,” Mr Anderson says.

“Raw eggs have always been considered a high-risk food. Our advice remains not to consume or serve raw eggs, especially to those with low or compromised immune systems, as the eggs may contain harmful pathogens.”

Note, we will send out a further update if we receive significant new information.

MPI chief veterinary officer Dr Mary van Andel will be available for media interviews at the Charles Fergusson Building in Wellington between 2pm to 3.30pm today. Contact our media team to make a time.

For more information, email: BiosecurityNZ_media@mpi.govt.nz

Find out more about the strain of bird flu (H7N6) in Otago 

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Biosecurity New Zealand is taking further action today to stamp out a high pathogenic strain of avian influenza, H7N6, detected on a commercial egg farm in rural Otago.

“Work started this morning to humanely cull chickens in 2 sheds on a farm managed by Mainland Poultry, where testing confirmed cases of an H7N6 subtype of avian influenza in birds,” Biosecurity New Zealand deputy director-general Stuart Anderson says.

“We’ve also placed a precautionary restricted place notice on a small free-range farm near Dunedin, stopping the movement of material on and off the property.

“As is normal in biosecurity responses, we always investigate where illness is identified. The property has around 6,000 birds, with a number of deaths, and testing is underway. 

Mr Anderson says the cull at the Mainland Poultry’s egg farm is being carried out by the business and supported by Biosecurity New Zealand.

“The cull is expected to take 2 to 3 days, using the existing industry standard practice of CO2 containerised gas, which farms regularly use to euthanise chickens,” Mr Anderson says.

“The carcasses, along with litter from the affected sheds, will be transported to a secure landfill in Southland, equipped to take this kind of waste,” Mr Anderson says.

“The carcases will be loaded directly onto trucks with a leak-proof plastic lining, which has been thoroughly tested.

“It’s important to point out the landfill has specific features to prevent the leaching of materials into the environment, including impermeable layers, and a process of routine monitoring.

“The disposal will be in a deep pit and in an area well away from any public access, and the landfill will be closed during this process.”

Mr Anderson says testing has been conducted at the smaller poultry farm near Dunedin.

“The property is not owned by Mainland Poultry, and we are investigating if there are any links between the first property and this one.”

Mr Anderson says testing is being carried out on birds in remaining sheds on Mainland Poultry’s egg farm and at other properties of interest.

“We will continue rigorous testing over the coming days and weeks and will take action as required,” Mr Anderson says.

“There had been no reports of concern about other ill or dead birds on other poultry farms.

“Contract tracing has revealed limited movements between Mainland Poultry’s affected farm and some of the other poultry farms in the area.”

Mr Anderson is reminding people the risk to human health remains low, and there are no concerns for food safety or wildlife.

“Avian influenza viruses are killed by cooking, so it remains safe to eat thoroughly cooked egg and poultry products,” Mr Anderson says.

“Raw eggs have always been considered a high-risk food. Our advice remains not to consume or serve raw eggs, especially to those with low or compromised immune systems, as the eggs may contain harmful pathogens, including salmonella.”

The 10-kilometre buffer zone around Mainland Poultry’s egg farm will now be referred to as an enhanced surveillance zone.

Biosecurity New Zealand will be increasing its presence on the ground in Otago and has set up a regional control centre today to manage the situation.

“Over 100 staff across MPI, including frontline biosecurity, trade and market access, veterinarians, agriculture, communications, and food safety are contributing to the response and this number is increasing daily as required, both on the ground in Otago and in our operations centre,” Mr Anderson says.

Find out more about the strain of bird flu (H7N6) in Otago 

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Biosecurity New Zealand continues to work closely with Mainland Poultry following the detection of a high pathogenic strain of avian influenza, H7N6, at one of its commercial egg farms in rural Otago.

“Testing has confirmed further cases of an H7N6 subtype of avian influenza in chickens in a second shed at the farm, “Biosecurity New Zealand deputy director-general Stuart Anderson says.

“The remote farm remains under strict biosecurity controls to restrict the movement of birds, poultry products, feed, and equipment on or off the property. The detection of further positive cases on the farm is not unexpected given the nature of the virus.”

Mr Anderson says the birds in both sheds, which total about 80,000-layer hens, would be humanely culled with the farmer’s cooperation and this is planned to start tomorrow (Wednesday).

“This is expected to take 2 to 3 days, using existing industry standard practice of CO2 containerised gas, which farms regularly use to euthanise chickens. At present, there will be no major impact on egg supplies as New Zealand has about 3.9-million-layer hens a year.

“Once the sheds have been depopulated, they will be thoroughly cleaned. It will be sometime before those sheds can be safely repopulated. We have Biosecurity New Zealand response staff on-site in Otago, and they are providing advice and guidance, including logistics and planning with depopulation and disposal of the birds.”

Testing of other sheds on the property continues.

“If required, we will put more restrictions in place, however, at this stage, there have been no further reports of any avian influenza type symptoms showing in chickens in any other poultry farm.

Mr Anderson says the risk to human health remains low, and there are no concerns for food safety or wildlife.

The property, managed by Mainland Poultry, was placed under a restricted place notice on Sunday after results from testing confirmed H7N6 strain in chickens from one shed on the property. The virus has likely developed from interactions with local waterfowl and wild birds.  

Mr Anderson is on site at the Otago farm today to observe operations.

“We acknowledge this is an extremely difficult time for the farm’s operator, but we commend their actions,” Mr Anderson says.

“Mainland Poultry took the right steps by notifying us of sick and dying birds. The farm has strong biosecurity standards. 3 specialist veterinarians from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) are on site.

“They have been carrying out further investigations and taking samples from birds in other sheds on the farm and conducting tracing work to six other poultry farms in the area that are linked to the affected property. 

“We are also tracing all movements to and from the farm over the past week. We will place biosecurity controls on any property if we need to manage any biosecurity risk.”

Mr Anderson says next steps include continuing to collect samples for testing. The incubation period for the virus is usually 3-14 days, with a possibility up to 21 days, so testing will continue over the next 2-3 weeks.

“Biosecurity New Zealand has a comprehensive surveillance programme of all poultry properties in the area, where we are testing birds on those properties for any signs of avian influenza.”

A further update will be provided at midday tomorrow.

For more information, email: BiosecurityNZ_media@mpi.govt.nz

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Biosecurity New Zealand has placed strict movement controls on a commercial rural Otago egg farm, after testing confirmed a high pathogenic strain of avian influenza in chickens that has likely developed from interactions with local waterfowl and wild birds. 

“Tests from the Mainland Poultry managed farm have identified a high pathogenic H7N6 subtype of avian influenza. While it is not the H5N1 type circulating among wildlife around the world that has caused concern, we are taking the find seriously,” says Biosecurity New Zealand deputy director-general Stuart Anderson. 

“Our testing shows it is unrelated to a H7 strain that was identified in Australia earlier this year, and we believe this case may have happened as part of a spillover event, where laying hens who were foraging outside of the shed were exposed to a low pathogenic virus from wild waterfowl.

“Low pathogenic viruses are present in wild birds here, especially waterfowl like ducks, geese, and swans, and the virus can mutate on interaction with chickens.

“It is important to note that the strain found on this farm is not a wildlife adapted strain like HN51, so we believe it is unlikely to be transmitted to mammals.”

There had been no reports of other ill or dead birds on other poultry farms, and there are no human health or food safety concerns. It is safe to consume thoroughly cooked egg and poultry products.

Mr Anderson says quick action had been taken in co-operation with Mainland Poultry and a restricted place notice issued.

“Test results late last night confirmed the strain, but we already had restrictions in place and expert biosecurity staff on site, with more arriving today.  Mainland Poultry took the right steps by reporting ill birds in one shed on the property and locking that building down as testing continued.

“We will move quickly, with Mainland Poultry, to depopulate birds on the remote property, and we’ve placed a 10-kilometre buffer zone around it alongside the restrictions preventing movement of animals, equipment, and feed.

“We aim to stamp this out like we did with infectious bursal viral disease that affected chickens in 2019,” Mr Anderson says.

John McKay, chief executive of Mainland Poultry, which manages the free-range farm, says it is committed to taking quick action.

“We have been preparing for an event like this for some time, knowing that low pathogenic avian influenza is already present in New Zealand wild birds. Fortunately, this is not the H5N1 type that has caused concern for wildlife in other parts of the world. International experience with avian influenza has shown us this particular strain (H7N6) can be eradicated quickly and successfully.

“We will be working closely with MPI to depopulate the affected shed, ensure rigorous testing of all other birds on the farm and manage the situation effectively. I’m confident with swift action and collaboration we can eradicate this,” says Mr McKay.

Mr Anderson says Biosecurity New Zealand is working closely with industry partners to ensure the find was dealt with quickly and any possible impacts to trade limited.

“Importantly, the farm has strong biosecurity standards and Mainland is helping with ongoing investigation and tracing of animal movements.

“We have put a lot of effort in with the poultry and egg sector, the Department of Conservation, and Ministry of Health to prepare for H5N1 and that puts us in a good position to deal with the less virulent H7N6 strain found on this farm.

“If anyone sees 3 or more sick or dead wild birds in a group, report it immediately to the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66 so we can investigate the cause.”

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Find out more about the strain of bird flu (H7N6) in Otago 

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) is advising the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from an area of the Bay of Plenty due to the presence of paralytic shellfish toxins.

“Routine tests on tuatua from Waihi Beach have shown levels of paralytic shellfish toxins more than double the safe limit,” says NZFS deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

The warning extends from the southern end of Pauanui Beach down to the entrance of Tauranga Harbour, by Mount Maunganui. The warning also includes Tauranga Harbour.

“Please do not gather and eat shellfish from this area because anyone doing so could get sick.

“Affected shellfish include bivalve shellfish such as mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles and scallops, as well as pūpū (cat’s eyes) and Cook’s turban. Kina are still safe to eat.

“It’s also important to know that cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxin.”

Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning usually appear within 10 minutes to 3 hours of eating and may include:

• numbness and a tingling (prickly feeling) around the mouth, face, hands, and feet
• difficulty swallowing or breathing
• dizziness and headache
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhoea
• paralysis and respiratory failure and, in severe cases, death.

Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed, its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process. Finfish are not affected by this public health warning, but we advise gutting the fish and discarding the liver before cooking.

NZFS has had no notifications of associated illness.

If anyone becomes ill after eating shellfish from an area where a public health warning has been issued, phone Healthline for advice on 0800 61 11 16, or seek medical attention immediately. You are also advised to contact your nearest public health unit and keep any leftover shellfish in case it can be tested.

“NZFS is monitoring shellfish in the region and will notify the public of any changes to the situation,” says Mr Arbuckle.

Commercially harvested shellfish – sold in shops and supermarkets or exported – is subject to strict water and flesh monitoring programmes by NZFS to ensure they are safe to eat.

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Find out more

Shellfish biotoxin alerts

Subscribe to shellfish biotoxins to receive email alerts

See signage in the affected area.

Podcast about shellfish contamination

Collecting shellfish and keeping them safe [PDF, 1.4 MB]

Causes and symptoms of toxic shellfish poisoning

About toxic algal blooms

Food safety for seafood gatherers booklet [PDF, 1.2 MB]

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

An Auckland man was fined $7,500 in Pukekohe District Court after being found guilty of cruelty to pigs which he illegally processed and sold.

Anitema Tuungafasi Pulu (54) was on Friday (15 November 2024) sentenced on 3 representative charges under the Animal Welfare Act and the Animal Products Act in the Pukekohe District Court following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries, says MPI director of investigations and compliance support, Gary Orr.

Between September 2022 and May 2023, MPI covert investigators went to Mr Pulu’s Pukekohe property 6 times. They found Mr Pulu killing pigs inhumanely.  

In November 2022, he was served a notice of direction under the Animal Products Act which prohibited him from killing or selling animals, but he ignored the directive. 

“The distress and suffering he caused these pigs was unacceptable. In addition to his animal welfare offences, Mr Pulu neglected to register his business as required under the Animal Products Act. That means he tried to avoid the important checks and balances in our food safety system which are there to keep consumers safe,” says Gary Orr.

More information on the Code of Welfare: Commercial Slaughter

Animal welfare is everyone’s responsibility and MPI strongly encourages any member of the public who is aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty to report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone 0800 00 83 33.

For further information and general enquiries, email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.