Issue 15, 06 May 2026
The Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand (PIANZ) and the Egg Producers Federation (EPF) have joined with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to provide farmers with this update about our preparations for high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1.
Better biosecurity – Poultry Industry announces “how to” guide for crucial online resources
Following the launch of a new biosecurity website (http://birdflu.pianz.org.nz), poultry producers are being offered support to get the most out of the resources available.
Commercial poultry producers can now access a short video (use this link and scroll down the page to find the video) which will walk them through the online tools available, aimed at helping them apply best biosecurity practice to their individual situation.
The Bird Flu Biosecurity website contains dozens of guides and useful documentation for producers, but the sites creators acknowledge there is a lot of information to work through.
With this in mind, PIANZ and EPF Executive Director, Fiona MacMillan, says the industry associations have created a short, simple video which can guide farmers, processors and others through how to make the website work for them.
“This video won’t win any awards for lavish production, but we are focused on function, not appearance. We want to make life as easy as possible for everyone working in the poultry industry who is trying to stay safe from bird flu or other diseases. The new website has a huge amount of useful information on it, but if you don’t know what it is, where to find it or how to use it, then you are no further ahead.
That’s why we are offering poultry producers a short video guide which walks them through everything the site can do to help them develop their own biosecurity plans. We had great support from MPI to create this site and now we encourage everyone to take advantage of it.”
The Industry Lead for HPAI Readiness based at MPI, Joanne Thomas is advising producers to get ahead of the game, with biosecurity soon to become a compulsory requirement.
“Regulations are currently being developed that would mean it will be mandatory to have a poultry biosecurity plan for bird flu on farm, and we want to help producers get ready before that happens. While there was wide industry consultation to develop the website, we appreciate not everyone will have had time to explore everything it has to offer.
This video offers a shortcut. It’s a quick and simple tour of the tools available and we hope it will help producers get up to speed with biosecurity best practice, find out what’s on the website and learn how it can help day-to-day operations.”
Check out the new industry website for poultry biosecurity
PIANZ and EPF want to thank MPI for its support in making this site possible.
Webinars Offer Biosecurity Advice on Tap
For members of the Egg Producers Federation, two short webinars are being made available to all farmers to get them up to speed on biosecurity expectations.
The webinars will be held on May 7th and if poultry producers have not already received an invitation, they are encouraged to sign up via [email protected]
Biosecurity fortress – compartment status achieved for first time in New Zealand
Poultry breeding and genetics company Cobb-Vantress has become the first organisation in New Zealand to be granted poultry compartment status by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
The designation means that in effect, Cobb has turned its facilities into a biosecure “lock-up” by putting into place strict biosecurity systems and management practices.
Cobb’s Vice President for Europe and the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, Roy Mutimer told media that “achieving compartment status is a very significant accomplishment for our New Zealand team and the wider Cobb‑Vantress organization.”
“This achievement reflects more than a year of rigorous planning, surveillance, validation, and collaboration with MPI and our verification partners to meet one of the highest international standards for poultry disease management.”
The compartment status applies to a range of diseases including High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI), Newcastle disease and Low Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (LPAI). This is an approach which aligns with standards of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
Even if New Zealand experiences an outbreak of one of these diseases, the compartment system should allow international trade to continue for Cobb to those countries that have accepted compartmentalisation as a basis for trade.
Contact Us
The Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand (PIANZ) and the Egg Producers Federation (EPF) have joined with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to provide farmers with this update about our preparations for high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1.
If you require further information please contact:
MPI [email protected]
PIANZ/EPF [email protected]
Prepared by: Ministry for Primary Industries, Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand & Egg Producers Federation
