13 June 2025
NZPork has welcomed the signing of a landmark agreement that will ensure pig farmers are part of a united national response in the event of a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in New Zealand.
Signed at Fieldays, the agreement brings together the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and six key livestock sector organisations -- NZPork, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, DairyNZ, Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand, Deer Industry New Zealand, and the Meat Industry Association of New Zealand.
The agreement formalises how government and industry will work together on FMD readiness and outlines how response efforts would be co-ordinated if the disease was to arrive in New Zealand. It also sets out a shared funding approach and creates a legal obligation for industry involvement in biosecurity decision-making.
NZPork chief executive Brent Kleiss said the agreement ensures the voice of pig farmers will be heard in national planning and response decisions.
“While New Zealand is free from FMD, this agreement strengthens our country’s biosecurity system by recognising the unique needs of each livestock sector.
“For pig farmers, that means having a seat at the table to ensure our sector’s specific risks and response requirements are fully understood and taken into account. The agreement reinforces our commitment to working alongside other livestock sectors and Government to protect New Zealand’s animals, farms and food supply.”
The agreement has been over a decade in the making and represents a significant step forward in collaborative biosecurity governance.
For the first time, it provides a clear structure for joint decision-making and cost-sharing, with the livestock sector contributing 40% of FMD readiness costs and 15% of response costs, capped at $450 million over the 11-year term.
“A Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak would have catastrophic consequences for New Zealand’s pig farmers, the economy and food production.
“That’s why NZPork supports this agreement, it’s about planning ahead and ensuring that if the worst happens, we’re ready to respond quickly and effectively.”
