6. Maintaining agricultural security
This category provides information which will assist in developing and implementing policies which help to protect New Zealand's agricultural industries, excluding horticulture, from the adverse effects of introduced pests and diseases. Key components of New Zealand's agricultural security system include:
- Border protection to prevent the introduction of exotic pests and diseases. The tools of border protection include New Zealand's import policies for animals and animal products, screening of incoming aircraft, vessels, and passengers for risk goods, quarantine facilities, and inspection of mail and imported cargo.
- Animal disease surveillance to detect, as early as possible, any unwanted disease or pest that does enter New Zealand. The primary tools of the surveillance system are veterinary practitioners and animal health diagnostic laboratories.
- Exotic disease and pest response to provide an initial investigation and containment of disease. To be effective, this system has to possess an expert exotic disease diagnostic capability, both in the field and laboratory, as well as a cadre of highly trained personnel capable of swiftly executing specific containment procedures.
There are two principal areas requiring research:
- Developing diagnostic capability for diseases exotic to New Zealand. New Zealand currently has no diagnostic tests, or a very limited range, available to detect any of the 15 most serious internationally listed diseases (e.g. foot and mouth disease). There are many other (numbering in the hundreds) exotic animal diseases and pests for which diagnostic capability could be required in future.
- Impact studies for developing "safe" import policies for animals and their products. As a signatory to the World Trade Organisation Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement (WTO:SPS), New Zealand must be able defend with technically sound arguments the import barriers we raise. This requires a transparent, internationally acceptable, risk analysis process. There is an expanding need for data in this area as trade liberalisation opens our markets to new suppliers.
6.1 MAS 312
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| Programme Goal: | To provide information to assure the public that pasteurised milk used for local consumption and for manufacturing dairy products in New Zealand is free of viable, Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, a possible human pathogen or, if viable M. paratuberculosis are present in pasteurised milk in New Zealand, to determine the pasteurisation conditions necessary to kill the bacilli. |
Objective 1
| Objective Title: | Culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods for the detection of M.paratuberculosis in milk |
| Research Leader: | Dr Geoff de Lisle |
Description:
Culture and PCR procedures for the detection of M. paratuberculosis from milk will be established and validated by:
- developing and evaluating a method for preparing milk samples for culturing;
- developing and evaluating a method for decontaminating milk samples;
- evaluating media for culturing M. paratuberculosis from milk; and
- using a PCR test to identify M. paratuberculosis in milk.
Objective 2
| Objective Title: | Culturing milk for M. paratuberculosis. |
| Research Leader: | Dr Geoff de Lisle |
Description:
The following milk samples will be cultured for M. paratuberculosis (the cause of Johne=s disease in cattle and sheep):
- Bulk raw milk samples from 20 herds with Johne's disease.
- Seventy five pasteurised milk samples from a commercial dairy factory.
A selection of these samples will also be examined using a PCR test.
6.2 MAS 313
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| Programme Goal: | To determine the paramyxovirus (serotypes 2, 3 and 5) health status of New Zealand caged birds and poultry, and begin work on the status of wild birds. This will assist in decision-making with regard to importation requirements as well as to provide technically sustainable assurances for our trading partners regarding these viruses. |
Objective 1
| Objective Title: | Paramyxovirus in captive/caged birds |
| Research Leader: | Wlodek Stanislawek |
Description:
Paramyxoviruses (PMV), in particular serotypes PMV-1, PMV-2 and PMV-3 have been isolated from imported or quarantined birds in other parts of the world. A wide range of clinical signs (from no symptoms to death) were associated with these cases. Serotype PMV-5 has so far only been isolated from a budgerigar where it was responsible for a severe outbreak of disease in Japan. There has only been one recorded isolate (PMV-1) in New Zealand from one case and this objective will provide data to develop importation protocols and allow confident decision-making regarding the importation of birds. Knowledge of our PMV serotypes clarifies the health status acceptable for imported birds and, at the same time, protects the bird population of New Zealand, including natives.
Objective 2
| Objective Title: | Paramyxovirus in wild birds |
| Research Leader: | Wlodek Stanislawek |
Description:
The prevalence of paramyxovirus (PMV) types 2, 3 and 5 in feral birds worldwide has not been extensively studied to date. Therefore we have a limited knowledge of the true status of these viruses carried by feral birds. Surveys done in other countries obtained numerous types including 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 8 but PMV-3 and 5 have not yet been isolated from feral birds. One reason for this seems to be that most surveys have mainly aimed at studying influenza virus epidemiology and therefore the sampled species was usually restricted to waterfowl. This preliminary New Zealand survey will, along with further survey work, lead to the development of importation protocols and allow confident decision-making regarding the importation of birds. Knowledge of our PMV serotypes will clarify the health status acceptable for imported birds and, at the same time, protect the bird population of New Zealand.
Objective 3
| Objective Title: | Paramyxovirus in poultry |
| Research Leader: | Wlodek Stanislawek |
Description:
Paramyxovirus PMV types 2 and 3 are the most economically important PMV types, apart from Newcastle disease virus (PMV-1), for domestic poultry. PMV-2 has been associated with disease/infection primarily in turkey, but there are a number of reports of PMV-2 infection in chickens. Turkey are the primary species affected by PMV-3 and no infection with PMV-3 has been recorded in other domestic poultry. Both serotypes 2 and 3 are associated with respiratory system, decreased egg production and other symptoms with concobinant infection.
There are no published reports of PMV-2 and 3 occurring in New Zealand's domestic poultry. This objective will determine the PMV status of our poultry population and provide data to develop importation protocols and allow confident decision-making regarding the importation of birds.
6.3 MAS 314
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| Programme Goal: | To further characterise by molecular techniques the strains of IBDV isolated in New Zealand. |
Objective 1
| Objective Title: | Molecular characterisation of local IBDVs |
| Research Leader: | K M Tham |
Description:
An avirulent strain of IBDV was isolated from New Zealand poultry in 1993 with subsequent isolation of two isolates. It is suspected that these isolates are of vaccinal origin and they might have been introduced into New Zealand via poultry vaccine contaminated with IBD vaccine virus. Work done at CVL (Weybridge, UK) has shown the New Zealand IBDV to be non-virulent and this finding was supported by preliminary molecular studies performed at CAHL. This research will further characterise the New Zealand IBDV isolates by PCR sequencing and comparing the nucleotide sequences of our virus isolates with well known vaccine strains.
6.4 MAS 315
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| Programme Goal: | To assess the efficacy of a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) method for the diagnosis of leptospirosis and for strain identification of Leptospira in New Zealand. |
Objective 1
| Objective Title: | Prepare DNA from New Zealand isolates of Leptospira |
| Research Leader: | Dr Roger Marshall |
Description:
Cultures of all pathogenic leptospiral strains known to exist in New Zealand will be grown and the genomic DNA isolated. The DNA will be digested with restriction enzymes and the restriction profiles compared with standard profiles to verify the identities of the strains. PCR primers that amplify a repetitive element in the L. hardjoprajitno genome were used by an overseas group to identify a small number of pathogenic Leptospira species. This research has also shown that these primers do not amplify a product from non-pathogenic Leptospira or other bacteria commonly found in biological samples (e.g. E. coli, K, pneumomiae, S. aureus). These primers will be tested for their suitability in detecting leptospiral strains present in New Zealand.
6.5 MAS 316
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| Programme Goal: | To develop a standardised and statistically robust approach to risk analysis, through the development and field testing of a software product, HandiRISK. |
Objective 1
| Objective Title: | Develop and test HandiRISK software |
| Research Leader: | Professor Roger Morris |
Description:
Develop HandiRISK as a complete software product for use by veterinarians and others involved in import risk analysis. A prototype has so far been developed to demonstrate the approach, using a sample analysis conducted by Sam Beckett. This will be developed into a full software package which will use expert system technology to structure the analysis. The user will be asked a sequence of questions, which will progressively formulate a risk analysis model suited to the particular problem. Initial development of HandiRISK will focus on importation of genetic material as an example, but once principles have been established it will be expanded to cover a wider spectrum of potential imports,. Once the risk analysis procedure has been defined, structured and documented within HandiRISK, the analysis will be carried out in the software or by transfer of the process to an analytical software tool such as @Risk. Results including sensitivity analysis will then be collated and recorded in standard form in HandiRISK, and both brief and comprehensive reports will be prepared within the software, and sorted for future reference and possible re-analysis. Printed copies will be made available for distribution.
6.6 MAS 317
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| Programme Goal: | Development of a method to inactivate Melissococcus pluton (M.p.) by heat. |
Objective 1
| Objective Title: | Quantitative detection of M.p. in honey, pollen and wax |
| Research Leader: | Dr Wolfgang Ritter |
Description:
A laboratory method will be developed to detect M.p. on substrate as it has been already developed for Paenibacillus larvae (P.l.l.).
Objective 2
| Objective Title: | Detection of different M.p. strains |
| Research Leader: | Dr Wolfgang Ritter |
Description:
Dr Ritter has shown that different strains of P.l.l. show different rates of growing activity and temperature of inactivation. This objective will test M.p. for growth activity and inactivation temperature.
Objective 3
| Objective Title: | Development of a range of heat treatments to destroy M.p. in honey and other bee products |
| Research Leader: | Dr Wolfgang Ritter |
Description:
Varying temperatures and durations of treatment will be tested with different strains of M.p. in bee products. M.p. will be analysed before and after the treatment. Bee products will be analysed as the quality of these products should not be changed by the treatment.
6.7 SRA121
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| Program Goal: | To develop specific technically sound risk analysis methodologies which will provide a solid foundation upon which to base New Zealand's agricultural security policies for the next decade. This work is funded through the Science Envelope Fund administered by MoRST. |
Objective 1
| Objective Title: | Development of a risk analysis methodology for animal health |
| Research Leader: | Noel Murray |
Description:
To develop a methodology for technically sound import health standards, surveillance programmes and exotic disease responses for livestock, avian species, aquatic species and meat and dairy products.
Objective 2
| Objective Title: | Revision of the OIE International Animal Health Code chapter on import risk analysis |
| Research Leader: | Noel Murray |
Description:
To establish a basis for a revision of the OIE International Animal Health Code chapter on import risk analysis.
Objective 3
| Objective Title: | Publication and dissemination of the results at the completion of the project. |
| Research Leader: | Noel Murray |
Description:
To publish the results of the project in refereed journals as a means of establishing the foundation literature of animal health risk analysis; conduct a seminar for other government agencies with an interest in risk analysis, such as members of the Biosecurity Council; and present the results at an appropriate international conference.
6.8 SRC603
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| Programme Goal: | To investigate the viraemia and persistence of Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) and Newcastle Disease (ND) viruses in commercial poultry and the transmission of these viruses to susceptible chickens from tissues at various times post-infection |
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Objective 1
| Objective Title: | Experimental infection with IBD and ND viruses |
| Research Leader: | Dr Phil Lukert |
Description:
Three-week-old SPF chickens will be infected with either a standard virulent strain of IBD virus or a mesogenic strain of ND virus. A portion of the infected chickens will be slaughtered every other day. Serum and tissues will be collected and assayed for antibody and virus. The objective being to determine the time of peak viraemia, the antibody response and the length of time that virus is present in the chicken. A period of three weeks will be the extent of this initial study. Complete by end of June
Objective 2
| Objective Title: | Transmission studies to SPF chickens |
| Research Leader: | Dr Phil Lukert |
Description:
The tissues collected from the first objective will be used to transmit IBD and ND to susceptible chickens and determine if the chicken might be a more sensitive host that could detect virus where in vitro techniques could not. This information could be used to determine when chicken carcasses are free of virus after an infection with these two viruses. Complete by late August.
Contact for Enquiries
Farm Monitoring Programme Manager
Monitoring and Evaluation
MAF Policy
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0623
Fax: +64 4 894 0741
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