A widespread animal epidemic has the potential for major consequences due to New Zealand's dependence on horticultural, agricultural and forestry industries.
Maintaining an effective biosecurity programme is of critical importance to the quality of life and environmental and economic wellbeing in New Zealand.
The Manawatū-Whanganui Region has a very large agricultural production sector, which supports many of our rural communities and is one of the main regional economic drivers. This sector is susceptible to diseases and pests such as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), M-Bovis, avian influenza and Foot and Mouth. These diseases are highly contagious and may spread rapidly.
A serious outbreak of these or other diseases in the region would have significant impacts across the social, natural and economic environments that would take many years to recover from. It is likely there would be significant numbers of livestock lost to the disease, and psychological impacts to those affected by the outbreak. The agricultural sector would face major impacts in terms of direct losses from business, commercial entities and industry.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is the lead agency for response to such incursions.
Manawatū-Whanganui Emergency Management will support and assist MPI and provide for emergency welfare for people if requested.
- Store a minimum of three litres of drinking water per person per day for three days – that is, nine litres per person – for drinking and basic sanitation.
- Keep empty bottles and thoroughly clean them. Fill them to the top with regular tap water until it overflows. Store in a cool, dark place. Don’t forgot about babies and pets. Find out more about storing water.
