Rural sector relieved at biosecurity fund increase

By LIAM DANN

New Zealand's biosecurity defences are to get a $46.5 million boost over the next four years.

The allocation will be used to fight exotic weeds, pests and diseases, said Biosecurity Minister Jim Sutton.

Base line funding for next year will increase by 7 per cent - from $154 million to $165 million.

The full package includes $19.5 million over four years for improved marine biosecurity, $1 million for the Protect New Zealand programme which promotes biosecurity awareness among the public, $409,000 to fund a foot and mouth disease vaccine bank and $400,000 for conservation biosecurity.

Another $7.8 million will be spent over four years on monitoring to ensure consistent and cost-effective border management decisions.

The national saltmarsh mosquito surveillance programme will get additional funding of $6.3 million over four years.

Federated Farmers board member Hugh Ritchie said it was one of the best initiatives in the Budget for the rural sector.

"When you look at the damage something like a foot and mouth outbreak would do to the economy, you see that this spending is desperately needed."

New Zealand Customs has also been allocated $5 million to boost border security.

The package includes a new Passenger Analysis Unit (PAU) that enables Customs to analyse advanced passenger information received by airlines.

Customs will also increase its airport and marine staff by about 25 per cent.