Biosecurity funding increases

Ministry for Primary Industries detector dog handler Sarah Carley works with her dog Bounty at Auckland Airport's international arrivals hall. Photo / Michael Craig

A review of New Zealand's biosecurity systems was announced today by Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and would work to replace the founding document of the country's biosecurity's system.

Biosecurity 2025 will have input from stakeholders, iwi and New Zealand public, Mr Guy said.

"Government and industry have set a goal of doubling the value of our exports by 2025, and an effective biosecurity system is fundamental to achieving this," says Mr Guy.
"That is why biosecurity is my number one priority as minister, and why the time is right to take a longer term view. Since last year, I have been discussing with officials the need to better prepare ourselves for future biosecurity threats, challenges and opportunities.
The discovery of Queensland fruit flies in the central Auckland suburb of Grey Lynn showed biosecurity was facing ever-increasing pressures from growing international trade and supply chains, Mr Guy said.

Funding for biosecurity had increased under National, Mr Guy said.

"Biosecurity 2025 will provide a clear direction for the biosecurity system and identify any changes or improvements needed over the next ten years."

The project would ask New Zealanders how they saw the biosecurity system functioning now, what issues and pressures it was likely to face, and how the system might operate to protect all our interests, through to 2025.

An independent panel of three peer reviewers would include Dr John Hellstrom, Professor Mick Clout of The University of Auckland, and Glenice Paine, chair of the Te Atiawa Trust.
A draft direction statement would be developed and shared with a wide range of New Zealanders and would cover expectations of what the system should deliver by 2025 including priorities for action.

The final direction statement is expected to be confirmed by the end of the year.
Labour's Primary Industries spokesman Damien O'Connor said the review was an admission of failure.

"The Government has put our horticulture and agriculture industries at risk with its ill-conceived plans and lack of proper process.

"In his haste to speed up transtasman travel, the Prime Minister rushed through the decision to remove 100 per cent bag-screening, something that rightly appalled growers and farmers.

"That it's taken Nathan Guy years to move on the issue is a disgrace," Mr O'Connor said.