Vegetables New Zealand has signed an agreement with the government to share the cost of managing biosecurity procedures as it faced being charged for some of the costs with no input otherwise.
It is the 12th primary sector organisation to join the Government Industry Agreement (GIA) for Biosecurity Readiness and Response, which gives the industries a say in decision-making and a share of the costs and responsibilities in preparing for and responding to biosecurity incursions. Pre-border and border control remains the government responsibility.
Biosecurity is seen as vital to New Zealand's economic interests given the nation's reliance as a pest-free island selling primary produce to the world but the government has effectively said it wants industry to help fund new measures to plug any gaps that exist.
"With the increased number of imports, containers and tourists, the potential risk for a foreign pest or disease to establish itself in New Zealand is increasing all the time," said Vegetables NZ chairman Andre de Bruin.
Vegetables NZ represents 900 commercial growers who produce more than 50 crops, with a farm gate value of more than $390 million a year.