UK foot and mouth warning re NZ’s thin green line

UK foot and mouth outbreak timely warning re NZ’s thin green line

“The declining profitability of rural practice, an ageing rural veterinarian workforce and a reluctance of younger veterinarians willing to purchase rural practices mean that the future of the ‘thin green line’ that protects New Zealand from an outbreak of foot and mouth disease is increasingly precarious,” warned the President of the New Zealand Veterinary Association, Dr John Maclachlan.

While the Association acknowledges the role Biosecurity New Zealand plays in preventing diseases at the border, Dr Maclachlan said no border is completely impenetrable.

“History tells us that it is the veterinarian out in the paddock who recognises exotic diseases quickly. And they know what to do – straight away. What happens when there is no on-the-spot vet, when the thin green line is stretched and broken?” Dr Maclachlan asked.

“Foot and mouth is not just an animal welfare issue; it is one of the greatest threats to our export earnings. Just imagine if our dairy and meat products were unable to be exported,” he explained.

“This is a strategic ‘public good’ issue that must be addressed in a realistic way by Government, the farming sector, export industries, as well as the veterinary profession.

“Other countries, like Australia and Canada are facing the same issues as us. These issues are; declining profitability of rural veterinary practice, closures of practices as a result of mergers and a lack of buyers and the retirement of baby boomer veterinarians. The difference is, these countries recognise there is an issue and they are dealing with it,” he explained.

“This is not just an issue for our profession and Association. This is something that Government, farmer representatives and export industries should all be addressing.

“As a nation our reliance on export earnings means that this should be sooner, rather than later,” Dr Maclachlan said.

ENDS

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