GIA partners welcome NZ’s new biosecurity strategy

GIA partners welcome NZ’s new biosecurity strategy

The partners of the Government Industry Agreement (GIA) for Biosecurity Readiness and Response welcome the release of Government’s Biosecurity 2025 Direction Statement saying the strategy is a major step in the right direction.

Today, Minister for Primary Industries, the Hon Nathan Guy launched the Biosecurity 2025 Direction Statement at a biosecurity forum in Auckland with approximately 200 primary industry stakeholders in attendance. The Forum was jointly run by MPI and its GIA partners.

GIA Secretariat Manager Steve Rich says Biosecurity 2025 is about future-proofing New Zealand's biosecurity system for the years to come.

“The primary industry sector is a significant part of New Zealand’s economy, making up around half of all New Zealand’s exports. The GIA partnership currently has 13 primary industry sector groups, along with the Government, in its membership, and will continue to grow as more sector groups join,” says Mr Rich.

“GIA’s industry partners strongly support the Minister for taking the initiative to refresh New Zealand’s biosecurity strategy. They have welcomed the opportunity to take part in the process to develop the B2025 Direction Statement, and are committed to participate in its implementation.”

“As formal partners with Government in delivering biosecurity readiness and response in New Zealand, the GIA partners look forward to actively supporting and playing a leading role in the delivery of the new direction for biosecurity in New Zealand,” added Mr Rich.

Biosecurity 2025 will build on Protect New Zealand (the 2003 biosecurity strategy) which has guided our biosecurity system over the past 13 years. The Direction Statement is made up of five Strategic Directions, each designed to play a part in meeting the significant challenges facing New Zealand’s biosecurity system in the years ahead.

About Government Industry Agreement (GIA)

GIA operates as a partnership between industry and government to manage pests and diseases that could badly damage New Zealand's primary industries, our economy, and our environment. It aims to improve biosecurity outcomes and give everyone the confidence that the best decisions are being made.

Direction statement https://www.mpi.govt.nz/document-vault/14857

ENDS

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