The Rugby World Cup could expose New Zealand to the risks of a major agricultural disaster, says Federated Farmers John Hartnell.

Mr Hartnell, the Biosecurity Spokesperson for Federated Farmers, says the arrival of 85,000 visitors in September presents potential risks the country is not fully prepared to cope with.

“Where the new biosecurity direction is going is to have more computer screening and less human screening.

"Taking the human element out of it and using the computer to determine whether or not there is a potential risk - that presents some concern."

John Hartnell has called on the government to stop foreign pests and diseases before they reach New Zealand’s border.

“When we get an event like the World Cup, where we have a lot of people coming in from countries around the world that have exotic diseases in their animal sector, that we don’t have in New Zealand, we need to be extremely vigilant.”