Cabinet makes bird flu biosecurity plans mandatory for larger poultry farms

Cabinet has approved mandatory bird flu biosecurity plans for poultry farmers with more than 100 birds, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said. The move from voluntary to required plans covers registration, record-keeping, audits and culling protocols, overseen by MPI. Hoggard confirmed H5 bird flu is in New Zealand and will almost certainly establish in wild birds. Rules take effect by end of 2026.