Feds and MPI prepare for FMD — Part 2
Federated Farmers Tararua president Sally Dryland’s notes from meeting with MPI on timelines and compensation
What follows is an expected response to foot-and-mouth disease and a strategy including who is involved and at what stages. Numbers signal hours from first observations and reporting of FMD symptoms.
0 hours — Investigation and suspect reported to MPI.
16 — Notice of direction (NOD) on index farm. Escalation protocols initiated.
18 — National response initiated. Collection of samples from farm. Tracing starts. Government Industry Agreement become involved.
24 — Official confirmation of disease. Depopulation on index farm.
26 — National livestock movement standstill includes milk. All animal movements countrywide stop. If destination is sale yards, stock are returned to property of origin. If origin is closer than destination, they return to property of origin.
36 — Biosecurity emergency is declared. This gives Government/MPI access to emergency powers.
48 — Field headquarters established. Staff on ground to control outbreak.
72 — All-of-government response initiated. Decision by governance to stamp it out (could include vaccinating). Nationwide welfare, trade, and recovery support. Wider depopulation to control spread.
As mentioned the previous week in part 1, FMD can spread 10km by air. Therefore, the high-risk area becomes 10km from the index farm but the risk area is 50km, which in could mean it’s more easily managed by shutting down a region.
As you may now appreciate this will need to be a swift response.
On farm: When the NOD is issued (16 hours) a case manager will be assigned to you, and they will have access to all support services for you. Animals that have been exposed or have high-risk movements confirmed by testing will be slaughtered.
Contaminated items will be disposed of, eg feed and bedding. Property and equipment will be cleaned and disinfected.
FMD compensation: Compensation entitlement is triggered by powers under the Biosecurity Act.
Stock destruction — market value of animal destroyed
Milk production — lost milk production causing income loss (includes share milkers)
Beef production losses — animal destroyed before weight causing income loss
Grazing loss — grazing agreement affected or prevented causing income loss
Loss of any other income — additional costs incurred in repopulating a “like-for-like” herd and contractual agreements causing income loss
Many of those required by MPI to respond to a FMD outbreak are not in place yet and will be brought in as the outbreak develops.
My challenge to farmers will be “how can you help?” They will need to do their bit by being vigilant, so it doesn’t spread further, and having accurate records (including NAIT).