Horticulture New Zealand has welcomed a new agreement between the country’s federal government and primary sectors, which will see fruit and vegetable growers play a more active role in biosecurity decision-making.
New Zealand cabinet has approved the Government Industry Agreements (GIA) partnership programme, with the New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industry’s (MPI) now free to start signing deed agreements with industry bodies.
By signing a deed, respective bodies will have an equal say in the development of biosecurity incursion and response plans, tailored to their specific industries.
They will also share some of the costs associated with biosecurity management, with 80 per cent of the fee for responding to an incursion to be split between the MPI and stakeholders in the sectors.
Signing a GIA deed will be voluntary, with Horticulture New Zealand president Julian Raine admitting the concept will appeal to some sectors more than others.
“There is a catch, in that industry will now be expected to pay its share of the cost of this additional management,” Raine said.
“Some of our affiliated product groups will agree, some won’t. It is a decision that each of them will need to discuss with their growers. The main thing is there is now the opportunity to get a seat at the decision-making table and some parts of horticulture have been calling for this for a long time.”
Negotiations for improved biosecurity practices in New Zealand began over eight years ago. Raine said biosecurity protection is essential to New Zealand horticulture and continues to be one of the biggest risks growers face.
“The cost of a biosecurity pest or disease incursion can run into $100s of millions, it closes down overseas markets, hugely increases production costs and in some cases, destroys our ability to grow crops,” Raine said.
“Everyone appreciates we can’t continue as we are. We need better biosecurity and by working together we think we have a better chance of achieving this.'
