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Under what circumstances, if any, does the Department of Conservation decide to leave bird carcasses in place versus remove them during an H5 bird flu outbreak, and what biosecurity procedures, if any, are followed when removal is required?

Answered Question 37246 (2026)
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Asked by

Priyanca Radhakrishnan

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • Under what circumstances, if any, does the Department of Conservation decide to leave bird carcasses in place versus remove them during an H5 bird flu outbreak, and what biosecurity procedures, if any, are followed when removal is required?

Answered by

Hon Tama Potaka

Member for Hamilton West · National Party · Minister of Conservation

Answer

I am advised that carcass removal decisions would be made site by site, based on risks to human health, wildlife, and disease spread. Any removal would follow appropriate PPE, biosecurity and decontamination procedures.