MAF’s Verification Programmes manager Di Carter said New Zealand has never had foot and mouth disease (FMD), and because of this excellent record, the country’s more than 24,000 meat processing premises employees have never seen symptoms in stock.

FMD is a highly contagious viral disease which affects cloven-hoofed animals such as sheep, cattle, pigs, goats, deer, llamas and alpacas.

MAF wants to make sure meat processing premises staff know what to look out for so they can respond appropriately if symptoms are found.

So the Ministry is distributing an 11-minute DVD and a poster describing the symptoms and also what meat workers should do if they suspect an animal has FMD.

She says the material is being distributed by MAF Verification staff.

MAF is asking more than 300 facility operators to show the footage to their staff as part of their induction or training programme.

The supporting poster, which clearly shows FMD symptoms in a range of stock, is ideal for display in an area such as a smoko or common room where it can be seen by staff on a daily basis.

“The sooner suspicious symptoms are reported, the better it will be from New Zealand’s point of view,” said Ms Carter.

“We want to get the message across to all meat processing staff that what they do matters. Their actions in quickly reporting their suspicions to the appropriate person will make a huge difference in containing any possible spread of the disease.”

Di says MAF has also worked with New Zealand meat processing plant operators to ensure they have robust processes in place to prevent spread if an animal infected with FMD arrived at their premises.

All export animal product operators, excluding poultry, egg, seafood and bee products, are required to have a Risk Organism Response Plan (RORP) on-site and available to key staff.