Foot and mouth hoax cost MAF up to $2m

The hoax claim that foot and mouth disease had been released on Waiheke Island has cost the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) as much as $2 million, the department said today.

MAF officially ended its response to the claim on Monday, and acting director of biosecurity Douglas Birnie said in a statement that the costs incurred so far did not include lost staff time.

The bill for MAF so far was between $1.5 and $2 million, but the incident had also cost other organisations, and compensation also needed to be paid to farmers.

Claims from farmers for costs incurred during disruptions that included intensive stock mustering and movement control were expected to be received within three or four weeks.

"We hope to process them as quickly as possible, but it will take a little time," Mr Birnie said. The cost of the claims would be met by MAF.

The letter claiming the disease had been released was received by Prime Minister's office 16 days ago.

The response was scaled back when a second letter was sent to a newspaper saying the claimed release was a hoax.

Police said they were satisfied both letters were written by the same person.

Movement controls were lifted after the second letter was received, but about 10 staff were left on the island to address any concerns from farmers or residents.

They were officially stood down on Monday.

At its height, the operation directly involved over 100 MAF and Food Safety Authority staff.

Other agencies involved in the operation police, the New Zealand Food Safety Authority, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade are yet to reveal their costs.

- NZPA