NZEHA signs an Operational Agreement with MPI

In March NZEHA signed an operational agreement that sees NZEHA and MPI work together on projects aimed at improving the equine sectors ability to efficiently and effectively respond to Equine diseases.  Stuart Anderson the Deputy Director General at MPI signed on behalf of MPI and Ivan Bridge, the chair of NZEHA signed on behalf of the industry.  He reiterated that the NZEHA was delighted to be signing this second operational agreement for readiness under the Government Industry Agreement Deed.

The first equine readiness operational agreement was signed in 2017. Since then MPI and NZEHA have developed and grown strong relationships as we have worked on a diverse range of readiness projects together. These include updating a Response Plan and developing a range of policies for our highest risk and most contagious exotic disease, Equine Influenza. Numerous other small side projects to improve readiness have been completed or are in hand focusing on building response capacity and capability.

Being ready to respond in our view is the most cost efficient thing we as partners can do…indeed the Australians have quantified its readiness work in the equine space as returning value to industry and government in Australia in the order of 63 dollars for every $1 spent!

NZEHA is so committed to readiness that over the past 5 years, independently from the Op agreement, NZEHA has funded the establishment of an Equine influenza vaccine bank.  Stocks are now located in purpose bought secure and  monitored fridges in Auckland and we have recently completed our first ACVM audit.  

NZEHA believed the vaccine registration processes needed to be completed and the import, distribution and delivery chains needed to be established and matured in peace time, all with the knowledge that minimizing time delays in responses save everyone time and money.  

In January NZEHA submitted a business case for MPI and NZEHA to develop and implement a national equine identification and tracing system.  NZEHA acknowledged that building sleek accurate useable animal ID and traceability systems are not for the faint hearted. Operational agreements are the ideal vehicle to support such projects.  They add legitimacy and give both sides the mandate to work creatively together on common goals. NZEHA sought the support of those at the signing to champion this project 

In 5 years time when we are updating this agreement next, it was hoped that all parties  will be celebrating the ongoing development and progress of this essential project and others that will support cost efficient and effective equine responses.

Pictured from left to right:

Sarah Rosanowski NZEHA Epidemiologist, Andrew Grierson NZEHA, Trish Pearce NZEHA, Ivan Bridge NZEHA Chair, Stuart Anderson MPI DDG, John Walsh MPI, Martine Burns NZEHA vice chair, Mary Van Andel MPI CVO, Hillary Milne NZEHA ID Coordinator, Colin Hall NZEHA Secretary, Dennis Scott NZEHA committee member.

Pictured from left to right in photo:

Sarah Rosanopwski(NZEHA Epidemiologist), Andrew Grierson NZEHA, Trish Pearce NZEHA, Ivan Bridge NZEHA Chair, Stuart Anderson MPI DDG, John Walsh MPI, Martine Burns NZEHA vice chair, Mary Van Andel MPI CVO, Hillary Milne NZEHA ID coordinator, Colin Hall NZEHA secretary, Dennis Scott NZEHA committee member.