The Government and poultry industry have struck a landmark deal, agreeing on how they'll jointly prepare for and respond to exotic poultry diseases, including any possible outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
This new operational agreement between the Government and the Egg Producers Federation (EPF) and Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand (PIANZ) is a significant milestone in the country’s preparation for exotic diseases.
“The H5N1 strain of HPAI is spreading fast around the world. This agreement means we will be ready to respond if that disease, or others, arrives on our shores. The poultry industry earns an estimated NZD 2.2 billion per year domestically and brings in around NZD 200 million in export revenue,” said Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard.
“It’s essential we’re ready to respond to exotic diseases that could devastate the industry, and impact domestic food supply and international trade. This agreement formally recognises industry bodies as decision-makers, alongside the Government, guaranteeing PIANZ and EPF a seat at the table if any of these diseases are detected in New Zealand.”
The agreement covers Newcastle disease, infectious bursal disease virus and all strains of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), including the HPAI strain H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b.
Hoggard added that the agreement also sets out cost-sharing arrangements between taxpayers and the industry. This recognised the benefits to both parties of being well prepared, reporting early, and responding rapidly.
“By sharing the costs of preparation and response, we ensure there are strong incentives for farmers to take preventative measures while also encouraging them to report suspected disease as soon as possible.”
Under the agreement, the industry will contribute 45 per cent of the readiness costs for all poultry diseases and 45 percent of the response costs, except for HPAI, for which the industry will meet 40 percent of the response costs.
Readiness costs can include the expenses associated with developing plans for response operational activities, conducting exercises to test these plans, and applying research to enhance response operations. Response costs can include diagnostics, communications and activities to control a disease.
Hoggard stated that they have also agreed that cost-shareable activities for an H5N1 outbreak should be limited, and that the industry will lead the response to an outbreak in poultry farms as soon as possible after detection, with support from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
Last year’s avian influenza outbreak at a single commercial egg farm in Otago cost an estimated NZD 25 million. That cost could have been far greater were it not for the rapid action taken by the farmer and MPI to establish a response and restrict movements.
“That outbreak, and the success of containing it to a single farm, showed just how important partnership with industry is in any response.”
Michael Brooks, Executive Director of the Poultry Industry Association and the Egg Producers Federation, stated that the agreement is a significant step toward a unified response to exotic poultry diseases.
“The industry’s priority now is to ensure our poultry and egg producers have the most robust biosecurity processes possible in place, to protect their flocks and businesses from H5N1 and other unwanted diseases,” said Brooks.
“H5N1 is a disease spread by wild birds, so our industry, like others, is vulnerable without the right planning, regulation and MPI’s support. We’re pleased with the strong collaboration with MPI.”
The agreement comes into effect on the 1st of September 2025.
