Biosecurity Summit highlights

Barry O'Neil

“New Technologies and Approaches to Biosecurity” was the theme for this year’s New Zealand Biosecurity Summit, writes MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) Deputy Director-General Barry O’Neil.

Over the past six years MAFBNZ has convened a two-day summit for biosecurity stakeholders each November. This year we were pleased to welcome over 206 participants in Christchurch representing a wide range of sector representatives, including many from central, regional and local government, importers and exporters, industry groups, tertiary institutes, the science community, pest management companies, community groups and more.

The 2008 Summit, held on 4 and 5 November, looked at new approaches to biosecurity and technologies that deliver efficiencies to the supply chain while improving biosecurity. The Summit also covered aspects of risk management in both the marine and terrestrial environments, and how those approaches could benefit not only biosecurity, but also importers, exporters and growers.

We have always been fortunate to attract a large and talented group of presenters from New Zealand and overseas, and this year was no exception.

New Technologies and Approaches to Biosecurity

The opening welcome and introduction was by Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) Director-General Murray Sherwin, who emphasised MAFBNZ cannot do everything alone. We need to prioritise our efforts, working together through partnerships to achieve the best outcomes for New Zealand.

A highlight in the programme was United States Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Bruce Knight, who shared an international perspective on the latest technologies. It was heartening to hear him express confidence in the close and ongoing New Zealand–United States partnership on biosecurity.

Another highlight was New Zealand’s Dr Richard Webby, who has risen through the ranks at the St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr Webby is now Associate Member with the Department of Infectious Disease and Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza in Animals and Birds. He spoke about the H5N1 influenza viruses and how science was key to optimal biosecurity in any system, especially in bringing new technology and approaches.

Summaries of both presentations are included in the following pages of this issue of Biosecurity, as are reports from many of our other guest speakers.

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Director-General Murray Sherwin
at the Biosecurity Summit.

Shipping, and developments in combating the biosecurity risks of ballast water and biofouling, was a particular focus for the Summit, as was container clearance. Time was also devoted to learning about advances in research and technology, the latest developments in potential possum control, and taking technology from the lab to the supply chain.

The programme included Maori views on biosecurity – an area where I believe we can, and will, do more – the importance of communications, trust in government, integrated pest management and the challenges New Zealand faces in meeting other countries’ requirements. Reports from these presentations will be covered in the next issue of Biosecurity in February.

It is important that we all reflect on what presenters shared at the Summit; on the opportunities and challenges raised; and how we can best move forward in the increasingly complex world we live in. At the same time, we are already turning our minds to next year’s programme, which is scheduled to be held in Wellington. We welcome your input and ideas.

Page last updated: 12 January 2009