MAF rejects calls for biosecurity review

Photo / Sarah Ivey

An independent review of biosecurity systems isn't necessary because three incursions by foreign pests last year doesn't represent a wider problem, MAF says.

Labour today joined the call for a review made yesterday by Federated Farmers, which said it was concerned next year's Rugby World Cup would add to the risk of more unwanted pests entering the country.

"Federated Farmers' concern is that we are playing Russian roulette with our major export industries," said spokesman John Hartnell, citing the discovery in New Zealand of the Great White Cabbage Butterfly, the Hadda Beetle and the Australian Pasture Tunnel Worm.

MAF said it dealt with new biosecurity threats every day and was very successful at keeping pests and diseases such as fruit fly and foot and mouth disease out of New Zealand.

"No matter how stringent we are, there will always be some pests and diseases that will blow, fly or swim here," it said.

It also said an independent advisory committee already existed - the Biosecurity Ministerial Advisory Committee, which played a crucial role in providing independent advice to the Government on the performance of the biosecurity system.

Labour's biosecurity spokesman Damien O'Connor said cuts by the Government in its first budget had undermined morale and confidence in the system.

MAF said there had been no cuts to biosecurity spending.

"MAF's review of border security operations in 2009 reduced staff numbers at some work sites but did not result in decreased biosecurity effectiveness -- in fact the opposite," it said.

"MAF's work force is now better positioned to meet the needs of the future border operating environment."

- NZPA