Monthly Bulletin

August 2026

This semi-regular update from the GIA Secretariat is intended to provide a general overview of the key matters considered by GIA governance bodies in the preceding month. It is not intended to communicate formal decisions by any of the parties, nor everything that happens within GIA. If there are any questions, or further information is required please contact steve.rich@gia.org.nz

Plant Planning: 7 August
The Plant OA Council Chairs, Technical Leads and the GIA Secretariat met on 7 August 2026 to identify key outcomes for the annual cross-sector Plant Councils planning day on 27–28 October in Wellington, with the following key outcomes:

The joint two-day meeting will focus on identifying cross-sector shared activities and developing an indicative work programme for those activities.
Individual Councils will also hold sector-specific discussions on their respective 2027/28 FY work programmes.
Due to the amount of preparation required, a further pre-meeting is scheduled for mid-September 2026.

Poultry Council: 13 August
The Poultry Council met on Tuesday 1 September 2026 for a brief update meeting, with the following matters discussed:

Closing the project in relation to co-ordination and use of regional CGUs
Heat treatment operational guide and testing protocols
Supply Chain Resilience project update
Whole house gassing trial project development
Wild Bird Control Practices project progress
Disposal resource consenting and composting
Communications Plan Phase Two progress
Poultry Biosecurity Grant update
Roles and responsibilities project development

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Council (BMSBC): 14 August
The BMSB Council held its third meeting for 2026 on 14 August 2026 with the following matters discussed:

Current progression on active work projects: awareness campaign, Long Term Management protocols, host location studies, EPA samurai wasp applications and the testing of the Uncrewed Aerial Spray Systems (UASS).
A dedicated budget allocation for Māori engagement activities led by the Plant Biosecurity Council.
A new project was approved for initiation in the 2026/27 FY, which is to develop a real-time landscape level modelling of BMSB seasonal phenology.
New project area identified were an Operational Specification review, a chemical tools control review and more research with South Korea.

GOL Board: 25 August
The GIA Operations Limited Board met on 26 August 2026 and discussed the following matters:

2025/26 Secretariat performance and 2026/27 Secretariat Objectives.
Provisional 2025/26 year-end financial performance and the treatment of surplus funds and retained earnings.
Review of GOL's funding and retained earnings policies
Progress and delivery of Response Governance Training
Planning for the March 2027 DGG Away Day.

Xylella Action Group (XAG): 25 August
The Xylella Action Group held its third meeting for the year on 25 August 2026 with the following matters discussed:

Members were presented with the latest insights, research and tools on Xylella from Biosecurity New Zealand as well as from the Technical Lead’s reflection of attending the 5^th European Conference on Xylella fastidiosa (EFSA).
The Group reviewed the 26/27 FY Work Programme and considered the following:
- Phase III of the Xylella awareness project
- Phase III of the Readiness and Response Measures for Growers project
- Development of a Response Public Information Management Plan
- Māori engagement, co-funded with other plant sector OA Councils
- Support for the NZ Winegrowers representative to travel to California to observe the response to glassy-winged sharpshooter
- A placeholder budget for a potential co-funded project with B3 on response options and decision-making tools
The next meeting will be held jointly with other plant sector OA Councils on 27-28 October 2026, in-person, in Wellington.

Lepidoptera Working Group: 27 August
The Lepidoptera Working Group held its third quarterly meeting on 27 August 2026 where the following matters were discussed:

Emerging biosecurity risks, surveillance technologies and readiness projects.
The main decisions on existing work projects were:
- Approval of the year 2 results of the portable electroantennogram project.
- Began commissioning work relating to BtK readiness.
- Reviewed the draft adaptable operational specifications.
- Supported proceeding with a UV trap pilot, subject to a final project brief being circulated out of session.
- Allocated a dedicated budget to support Māori engagement led by the Plant Biosecurity Council, in collaboration with other plant sector Councils.
- Confirmed that the revised 2026/27 work programme totals $145,000, subject to out-of-session approval by members.
The next meeting will be held in person, as a joint up planning meeting, on 27-28 October in Wellington.

Foot and Mouth Disease Council (FMDC): 31 August
The FMD Council met on 31 August 2026, with the following matters discussed:

HPAI in NZ and industry preparedness update
FMD emergency regulations and notices
Electronic Animal Status Declarations (EASDs)
FMD operational planning and workforce planning
FMD Council response exercise
FMD Compensation review
FMD Stores and equipment
Vaccine Bank renewal
FMD response communications
Māori engagement across GIA, through the Plant Biosecurity Council’s engagement work
Final 2026/27 work programme and budget