MEDIA ADVISORY
25 February 2004 PR 046/04
Border Security Bill Committee Hearing

Primary industry representatives will tomorrow (Thursday 26 February) appear in front of the Government Administration Select Committee to argue against Goods Cost Recovery as part of the Border Security Bill.

The Minister of Customs announced last year that a border security fee would be imposed as of 1 July 2004 to recover $20 million per annum for the operating costs of X-ray machines and additional Customs staff. The proposed security fee is to fund a "solution" that Customs has decided on without consultation with industry.

The speakers include representatives from:

- Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Inc)
- Deer Industry New Zealand
- Meat Industry Association
- Meat New Zealand
- New Zealand Forest Industries Council
- New Zealand Forest Owners association
- New Zealand Pine
- New Zealand Horticulture Export Authority
- Horticulture Exporters Council
- New Zealand Fruitgrowers Federation
- New Zealand Vegetable and Potato Growers Federation
- Pipfruit Growers of New Zealand Inc.
- New Zealand Seafood Industry Council

Collectively the speakers represent NZ$18.9 billion or 67 percent of New Zealand’s total merchandise exports (15 percent of GDP). They have just half an hour (from 9:15 to 9:45am) to convince the Government Administration Select Committee that the fee should not be introduced.

Federated Farmers President Tom Lambie will be making introductory remarks on behalf of those organisations present.

Members of the media are encouraged to attend.

ENDS

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