Biosecurity (2005)

LABOUR’S VISION

Effective biosecurity is essential to New Zealand. Our borders are constantly being tested by pests and diseases that could cause us severe environmental and economic damage, threaten our health and quality of life, and undermine our clean green image.

Biosecurity risks to New Zealand have grown significantly with increases in overseas travel, visitor arrivals, and trade volumes. Climate change may make the situation worse by expanding the range where potential pests can survive.

Preventing incursions is far less expensive than eradicating, controlling or accepting pests once they are established in New Zealand. Biosecurity is a collective responsibility because it benefits all New Zealanders. Taxpayers therefore share in the cost of that protection.

When Labour became government in 1999, we found the biosecurity of this country in an appalling state. We have moved decisively to address this situation.

Labour’s Achievements

In its first and second terms, the Labour led government has:

Implemented a Biosecurity Strategy for New Zealand, including setting up Biosecurity New Zealand with a dedicated focus on protecting New Zealand from biosecurity risks.
Invested almost 60 per cent more on baseline biosecurity funding than previous governments.
Upgraded border controls, so that all postal items, aircrew and passenger baggage are screened by x-ray and detector dogs.
Introduced instant fines for biosecurity border breaches.
Improved biosecurity screening measures for sea freight, especially containers, through a new sea container import health standard.
Issued new rules to reduce the risks associated with used vehicle imports.
Launched the Protect New Zealand biosecurity awareness campaign.
Ensured that biosecurity videos are screened on all international flights entering New Zealand.
Taken decisive action to eradicate new incursions such as painted apple moth and Asian gypsy moth.
Conducted emergency response exercises to facilitate rapid action to biosecurity emergencies, such as this year’s Waiheke Island foot and mouth scare.
Introduced regulations to minimise the risks of biological pollution of our coastal waters from vessel hull fouling and ballast water discharges.
Substantially increased funding to protect native species from introduced pests.

LABOUR’S PRIORITIES

Labour will:

Continue to review and strengthen border control measures, our surveillance ability, and our capacity to fight incursions.
Maintain an integrated educational programme to raise New Zealand public and overseas visitor awareness of the importance of biosecurity and biosecurity precautions.
Ensure that the level of instant fines is high enough to act as an effective deterrent to biosecurity border breaches.
Audit the new sea container import health standard to assess its effectiveness, and upgrade it if necessary, including an assessment of fumigation rules.
Review the rules around the screening and fumigation of imported cars.
Assist accredited biosecurity agents to maintain high skill levels in their frontline border inspection work.
Enhance freshwater and marine biosecurity by, for example, working with stakeholders to reduce the risks of vessels and gear transferring organisms between waterbodies.
Ensure ongoing funding of the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy, including providing sufficient funding to the Department of Conservation for effective control of introduced pests across the public conservation estate.
Continue to work, in partnership with Australia and the South Pacific island states, on a regional biosecurity programme to minimise the risk of new alien species invasions within the South Pacific-Oceania region.

OTHER REGIONS +NORTHERN