Friday, March 29, 2024

Early warning system welcomed

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A biosecurity intelligence team within government will be a good idea if it can provide earlier warning of biosecurity risks, Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Mike Chapman says.
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“Being forewarned about where biosecurity risks are coming from and the likely pathways into New Zealand means that we can take actions to prevent the arrival of pests and ensure that the necessary protections are available at the border, he said.

In announcing the establishment of Biosecurity NZ, Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor said that an intelligence team would be equipped to provide earlier signals of biosecurity threats.

“This is good news for the horticulture sector where a biosecurity breach is the biggest threat to the ongoing viability of our growers. 

“Both the Prime Minister and the Biosecurity Minister have categorised biosecurity as the number one risk facing the primary industries in NZ.

“The creation of Biosecurity NZ and in particular, the enhancement of its role with the creation of the biosecurity intelligence team, is giving teeth to this categorization,” Chapman said. 

“As with all restructuring, whether it achieves its aims will only become apparent with time. 

“It is important, as the Minister has said, for all New Zealanders to be aware of biosecurity risks and to be part of the whole of country’s response. 

“The creation of Biosecurity New Zealand will hopefully provide that leadership for NZ.”

Minister O’Connor launched Biosecurity NZ last Monday as one of four new business units created within the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to create a stronger focus on key areas of work.

The other three units are Fisheries NZ launched on May 1, NZ Food Safety to be launched on May 7 and Forestry NZ set to be launched on May 11.  

Setting up the four units cost $6.8 million with operating costs of $2.3m a year, all funded through reprioritised spending within MPI.

“When I began this role six months ago it was clear biosecurity was our number one challenge with several responses under way including Mycoplasma bovis, Myrtle Rust, Ostrae Bonamia and Kauri Dieback, plus we began turning around ships carrying the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug,” O’Connor said.

“With increasing pressures such as the growing scale of trade, more visitors from abroad and climate change challenges, we need a greater focus on biosecurity.” 

O’Connor said Biosecurity NZ provides a single point of accountability and leadership for New Zealanders, bringing together 900 MPI staff into one focused business unit which will provide the direction, resources and people-power to protect NZ from biosecurity threats and respond quickly to any outbreaks.

The new intelligence team will use new, smarter, technologies and skilled analysts to source and look at all available information on overseas pest and diseases.

“Earlier signals of biosecurity threats will help our border staff to make better decisions to target air passengers and cargo that are most likely to carry risk goods, as well as those who deliberately flout NZ’s biosecurity rules.”

O’Connor urged all New Zealanders to get involved in biosecurity.

“Biosecurity is a challenge for us all – it requires vigilance from everyone and it is vital that every New Zealander is pitching in to protect our environment, way of life, primary industries and the things we enjoy as New Zealanders.”

Farmers happy

Federated Farmers is encouraged to see the Government take biosecurity seriously enough to give it its own department, the organisation’s national president Katie Milne says.

The launch of Biosecurity NZ shows not only is the future of NZ’s primary sector taken seriously but the safety of every New Zealander is.

NZ relies so much on the primary sector to keep afloat in the era of globalisation that any biosecurity breach could impact every member of the public, Milne said.

“Our economy needs the best biosecurity protection to exist. 

“There is no NZ B. This is what we’ve got. It’s up to us as a community to protect it.”

MPI director-general Martyn Dunne said the new business units provide increased focus on some of MPI’s core responsibilities and align structure to ministerial portfolios.

“The business units are intended to lift the visibility of the valuable work we do in biosecurity, fisheries, forestry and food safety and increase transparency for our stakeholders and the public,” Dunne said.

“Our new structure will enable us to deliver on MPI’s ambitious agenda for the primary sector and NZ. 

“Remaining one ministry allows us to continue strengthening the capabilities and expertise we have built since our formation.”

 

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