APHANZ members want the current review of the approval path for new products to result in a trusted process and right touch regulation that balances all the risks.
There’s a lot at stake for the future health and welfare of New Zealand’s livestock, companion animals and wildlife. The innovation APHANZ members bring to New Zealand includes vaccines, bioinsecticides, biobactericides, crop protection products, inhibitors, biosecurity and pest management treatments, seed treatments, novel, softer chemistry and organic alternatives to synthetic chemicals.
For APHANZ member Kent Deitemeyer, one of New Zealand’s leading veterinary immunologists and wildlife conservationists, a big concern is that New Zealand is falling behind the rest of the world, risking our birds and animals’ futures. We sat down with him to hear his story and perspectives.
Kent’s at the leading edge of the defence against high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) in New Zealand, researching vaccines for our critically endangered native species. But he’s worried New Zealand is falling behind in supplying New Zealand with the veterinary vaccines our industry requires.
“Our regulation hasn’t kept pace with the accelerated development of biotechnology nor the evolving regulatory climate overseas.”
Kent was awarded the Animal and Plant Health New Zealand Presidents award in 2024 for a lifetime of giving back to the industry and New Zealand and is co-founder of Pacificvet, a business that has served the poultry industries in New Zealand and the South Pacific for over 30 years.
With his roots in Nebraska and a childhood steeped in farming he also has more than 47 years’ experience in veterinary product development, registration and distribution across the USA, Asia/Pacific, EU, UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Like many APHANZ members, he is keen to share his local and global science, research and risk expertise for the greater good of New Zealand.
Pacificvet is supporting the Department of Conservation (DOC) on trials to vaccinate native bird species against the threat of avian influenza. It hasn’t yet reached our shores but could devastate populations of threatened native bird species if it did.
“The risk of this was considered to be low until the virus was detected in Antarctica early 2024 in sealions and migratory birds. The risk is now that it could reach us through migratory birds, like bar-tailed godwits and red knots flying in from the north or, sea birds and marine mammals from the south.”
DOC with the help of Pacificvet and Zoetis Animal Health (both APHANZ members), have worked on trials to establish the safety and efficacy of an H5N3 vaccine in five critically endangered native species Kākāpō, Takahē, Kaki / Black Stilts, Tūturuatu / Chatham Island Shore Plovers, Kākāriki / Red-crowned parakeet/ (as a surrogate species for kākāriki karaka/Orange-Fronted parakeets).
The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) approved the vaccine trial, which is being conducted by DOC veterinarians under strictly controlled conditions. The vaccine contains inactivated (dead) virus, meaning it can't cause infections with avian influenza.
Pacificvet donated the vaccines, the use of its laboratory and quarantine facilities and time and technical support to the trials – the only company in New Zealand with the capability and capacity to do this.
“This has nothing to do with business and everything to do with species survival. The value of these five species is so important as a genetic base given their critical conservation status and reliance on captive breeding for species survival.”
The first phase of the trial shows the vaccine has performed well and has had no adverse effects on the birds. The second phase will be completed by July 2025, involving regular health assessments and blood tests of the trial birds to monitor their reactions and presence of antibodies. If shown to be effective, the vaccine could be used if avian flu arrived in New Zealand.
“This means we may have an effective tool we can use during outbreaks to protect a core breeding population to prevent species extinction. It is not possible to vaccinate all our endangered birds, but we can focus on those species in captivity where the doses of vaccine can be given.”
Kent says the avian influenza example shows how important it is to keep up with international developments so New Zealand is ready to respond to new viruses and diseases.
“We need to see reform of regulations, processes and costs to ensure New Zealand can meet its future needs providing for the animal health and welfare requirements of the country’s livestock, companion animals, and wildlife sectors.”
A key concern for Kent is the lack of animal vaccine guidelines under New Zealand’s Animal Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act 1993 (ACVM).
“New Zealand has yet to provide specific legislated veterinary biological guidelines for individual vaccines, as provided in other countries such as the European Pharmacopeia and the US 9 Code of Federal Regulations, that allow ACVM assessors to apply their own rules or demand for information that is not normally provided.”
This might include ‘in-use’ stability information where it’s not feasible to test every possible combination of temperature, sunlight, presence of sanitizers, every possible mistake of administration.
“We have rigorous international guidelines that are designed to facilitate safe use of medicines globally, and they are used widely by regulatory authorities internationally.
“There is no reason for New Zealand not to adopt these. They could be easily integrated into New Zealand legislation and to harmonise with our biggest trading partners.
“Biotechnology has changed dramatically. Vaccines are now much safer, and, in many cases, there is now a reduced need to vaccinate as frequently. I am all for tough regulations, but they have to be fair, transparent, science-based and balance all the risks. The real risk around veterinary vaccines for New Zealand, is not having them.”
Read more about the avian influenza vaccine trial here
