I don't think I want to get any closer than that to a buffalo, even if it didn't have foot and mouth. I think it must have been in England in 2001 that I remember being obliged to walk through wet straw to ensure that I was not carrying it on my shoes.
I think it was about this time that biosecurity authorities became concerned about passengers muddy footwear. I always travel with a scrubbing brush specifically to be sure my boots are clean.
Hi Melanie, I’m curious, do NZ domestic flights between North and South islands go through bio-security on boots and trekking poles or just incoming international flights? I’ll be visiting your wonderful country in October and November.
One of the few internal domestic bio-security measures they have in the U.S. is footwear in caves because of the spread of white nose syndrome in bats.
It's just the international flights where they do checks. However, there are often messages about biosecurity at airports, for example reminding people to check, clean and dry equipment used in waterways. There are boot cleaning stations in some forest areas because of a disease infecting kauri trees.
And I'm sorry your teacher wasn't more kind and/or encouraging. Your choice of topic reflected your natural curiosity and creativity and should have been rewarded.
Thanks Joan. I suspect that the way I gave the talk wet over the heads of the other students. The thing I remember now is that it was an absolute statement, as if that one talk had proved what I would or wouldn't be able to do in future. Still, I learned a useful lesson in what not to say.
Hi Melanie. I just signed up for an annual subscription to your column, as a way of passing on my subscribers contributions to other deserving writers.
The teacher who said you won’t make a teacher failed one of the duties of being a good teacher - recognizing and encouraging each student’s individual talents and potential. Imagine if you had gone home that day feeling so defeated that you shelved your interests in plants, insects, other animals, and diseases. Glad you didn’t.
Thank you. Yes, I do think adults sometimes forget the impact their words can have on children. Although my experience of school made me worry about seeming weird with my interests, the interests themselves were strong enough to keep me motivated to pursue them.
Hi Melanie - timely article for us at AgResearch as we review biosecurity research priorities - animal diagnostics and other aspects of animal biosecurity are getting renewed attention - the belief being that contributions can lead to improvements. Your writing has elevated to the level of art-form - and for me the communication style is clear - much as you'd hope a teacher would provide.
Thank you so much Chris. Ironically, although I never worked strictly as a teacher, I've ended up doing quite a bit of teaching. It was simply a skill I hadn't learned at the age of 12.
Yes, we need to keep our eye on animal biosecurity - I was just learning today about a close call Australia had a few years ago with foetal bovine serum. Pretty frightening.
Wow -- I'd never heard of rinderpest, and now I know why! I also had no idea there are 7 types of foot and mouth disease. Thanks for the informative article, and especially for all the great pictures!
I don't think I want to get any closer than that to a buffalo, even if it didn't have foot and mouth. I think it must have been in England in 2001 that I remember being obliged to walk through wet straw to ensure that I was not carrying it on my shoes.
I think it was about this time that biosecurity authorities became concerned about passengers muddy footwear. I always travel with a scrubbing brush specifically to be sure my boots are clean.
Hi Melanie, I’m curious, do NZ domestic flights between North and South islands go through bio-security on boots and trekking poles or just incoming international flights? I’ll be visiting your wonderful country in October and November.
One of the few internal domestic bio-security measures they have in the U.S. is footwear in caves because of the spread of white nose syndrome in bats.
It's just the international flights where they do checks. However, there are often messages about biosecurity at airports, for example reminding people to check, clean and dry equipment used in waterways. There are boot cleaning stations in some forest areas because of a disease infecting kauri trees.
Fascinating post, Melanie. Thank you!
And I'm sorry your teacher wasn't more kind and/or encouraging. Your choice of topic reflected your natural curiosity and creativity and should have been rewarded.
Thanks Joan. I suspect that the way I gave the talk wet over the heads of the other students. The thing I remember now is that it was an absolute statement, as if that one talk had proved what I would or wouldn't be able to do in future. Still, I learned a useful lesson in what not to say.
Great post. I remember it clearly as I was living in the UK in 2001. It was a major event.
Thank you so much. It must have been a difficult time.
'Back office ' nicely put Melanie .. I expect the current govt cutbacks don't consider the long-term effects of not having these vital roles ..
Exactly. Not much long-term thinking that I can see.
Thank you. Very educational for me. And very readable. You have a good communication style.
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it.
Hi Melanie. I just signed up for an annual subscription to your column, as a way of passing on my subscribers contributions to other deserving writers.
Thank you so much, I'm so grateful for your support.
The teacher who said you won’t make a teacher failed one of the duties of being a good teacher - recognizing and encouraging each student’s individual talents and potential. Imagine if you had gone home that day feeling so defeated that you shelved your interests in plants, insects, other animals, and diseases. Glad you didn’t.
Thank you. Yes, I do think adults sometimes forget the impact their words can have on children. Although my experience of school made me worry about seeming weird with my interests, the interests themselves were strong enough to keep me motivated to pursue them.
Hi Melanie - timely article for us at AgResearch as we review biosecurity research priorities - animal diagnostics and other aspects of animal biosecurity are getting renewed attention - the belief being that contributions can lead to improvements. Your writing has elevated to the level of art-form - and for me the communication style is clear - much as you'd hope a teacher would provide.
Thank you so much Chris. Ironically, although I never worked strictly as a teacher, I've ended up doing quite a bit of teaching. It was simply a skill I hadn't learned at the age of 12.
Yes, we need to keep our eye on animal biosecurity - I was just learning today about a close call Australia had a few years ago with foetal bovine serum. Pretty frightening.
Wow -- I'd never heard of rinderpest, and now I know why! I also had no idea there are 7 types of foot and mouth disease. Thanks for the informative article, and especially for all the great pictures!
Thanks Heather. I was very happy to find an excuse to use Kenya pictures again.