If there is a suspected exotic disease Poff will liaise with an incursion investigator based in Wellington and report back within five hours. If exotic disease cannot be ruled out the incursion investigator will travel to the farm to do further testing.
Because foot and mouth has the potential to cripple this country’s economy, recognising the symptoms in real life is vital so an initiative to train IIVs and others involved in biosecurity was launched last year. The first group of 10 trainees stayed in Nepal for a week, working with farmers who had animals showing acute symptoms of the disease alongside local vets.
The training scheme was a result of the NZ and Australian governments, along with industry groups, working closely together on measures to combat the disease.
Poff had applied to go on the second trip that was due to depart in April. That trip was cancelled because of devastating earthquakes in Nepal but it has now been deemed safe enough to visit again and the trip will take place before the end of this year.
Africa had been considered as an alternative place to train in but it was decided to stay with Nepal since the first trip had been so successful. Poff said it was a great privilege to be working with the Nepalese farmers and veterinarians and is looking forward to his time with them.
As part of his training agreement Poff will pass on the knowledge he gathers to primary industry bodies such as Beef + Lamb NZ, DairyNZ, Federated Farmers and other interested parties when he returns home.
