Border security closure risk to NZ economy, says union

Biosecurity NZ's sole full-time position at its Opua office is under threat of discontinuation. Photo / Northern Advocate

Shutting Far North biosecurity office would expose agriculture industry, says association

A proposal to shut the Far North's only border biosecurity office puts New Zealand's economy at risk, a union claims.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry - which is responsible for the nation's biosecurity - has announced a border operations review.

The review could result in the loss of a full-time Biosecurity NZ staff member in Opua.

With a drop in cargo volumes and passenger arrivals caused by the worldwide recession, Biosecurity NZ's income from border operations has fallen. As a result, it is proposing to shed about 30 jobs.

Under the plans another 30 vacancies will not be filled, making an overall loss of 60 positions. Biosecurity has a fulltime staff member in Opua, and one fulltimer and one part-timer in Whangarei.

The ministry plans to scale back in Northland by shutting the Opua office and dropping Whangarei to one fulltime position.

However, the Public Service Association - which represents civil servants such as biosecurity officers - fears the job cuts will affect MAF's ability to protect New Zealand's multibillion-dollar agriculture industry from pests and diseases.

PSA national secretary Richard Wagstaff said the Government had to shoulder part of the blame for the job losses because it cut Biosecurity funding by $1.9 million in May's Budget.

"Our concern is that New Zealand's economy depends on our farming and horticulture industries, and that could be decimated if diseases like foot and mouth and fruit fly got into the country ... MAF Biosecurity staff work to prevent these diseases and pests from crossing our borders, so it's vital that these job cuts don't weaken our defences."

A MAF spokesman said the job cuts were a proposal only and no decision had been made.

If the Opua office was shut, the Bay of Islands would be covered from Whangarei.

In the peak season, October to December, a fulltime staff member - possibly from the Auckland office - would be based at Opua to inspect incoming yachts and cruise ships.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE