WELLINGTON, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Minister for Biosecurity Damien O'Connor on Friday called on every New Zealander to help build a biosecurity team of 4.7 million as part of "This Is Us" campaign.
"'This Is Us' is an independent biosecurity brand that aims to connect all of us with the many ways we can help protect Aotearoa from pests and diseases," O'Connor said in a statement.
With biosecurity in the spotlight as New Zealand attempts to eradicate cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis, turn away ships to keep the Brown marmorated stink bug out of New Zealand, and deal with the emergence and spread of Myrtle rust and Kauri dieback, "now is the time for every New Zealander to stand up and take action on biosecurity," O'Connor said.
"Biosecurity keeps safe everything that shapes our unique way of life, from the great outdoors we farm, fish, hunt and play in to the biodiversity of our unique ecosystems," he said.
It also focuses on appropriate biosecurity behaviors and actions in three core areas: moving people and goods, vigilance and readiness, and pest and disease control, the minister said.
