4 December 2001
MAF goes beyond the call in testing for BSE in New Zealand
An on-going review of the systems in place to continue to protect bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)-free New
Zealand from the disease has highlighted that we have much to gain from an enhanced testing programme due to start this
month, MAF’s Food Assurance Authority Director Andrew McKenzie said today.
“New Zealand is internationally recognised as BSE-free. Our existing systems meet international requirements. However,
in partnership with the industry, we want to go beyond this in order to protect New Zealand.”
A group comprising industry representatives and MAF is regularly reviewing the systems New Zealand has in place to
protect against the introduction of BSE, and to prevent the disease spreading in the unlikely event that it enters New
Zealand.
“MAF is currently confident that it has in place good systems to protect against the introduction of BSE. All possible
entry points have been closed for many years and New Zealand has strong controls at the border.
“However, the regular review identified that, as a country with so much riding on our reputation for producing safe
food, boosting our levels of testing to provide additional surveillance and information would enhance our ability to
respond to concerns both now and in the future. This also reflects modern scientific developments and the latest
experiences from countries that have had to deal with BSE.
“MAF, working in partnership with the meat and farming industries, now aims to increase the level of testing that has
been in place in New Zealand since 1989. The number of cattle brains tested for the disease will be increased and is
aimed at strengthening the confidence of New Zealand consumers and trading partners. This will also increase our chances
of detecting the disease early in the unlikely event that it should ever find its way into New Zealand.
“We are working in a new area of science with many unknown factors and we have to be prepared to deal with any
situations that may arise. New Zealand has one of the strongest cases for claiming BSE freedom and we are confident that
the pro-active partnership approach we are taking is in the best interests of New Zealand consumers and our vital meat
industry,” Mr McKenzie said.
BSE has wrought havoc for farmers in countries where it has been found and variant Creutzfeld Jakob disease (vCJD), the
human disease associated with BSE, has caused more than 115 deaths in the United Kingdom. No cases of vCJD have been
diagnosed outside Europe.
“New Zealand is fortunate not to have BSE and MAF is determined to ensure that our consumers and cattle population
continue to be protected from this disease. Our economy also has a big stake in our safe trade in meat and meat
products,” says Mr McKenzie.
ENDS