Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said the Government’s work to strengthen New Zealand’s biosecurity protections has received wide public support.
The Ministry for Primary Industries recently completed a public consultation on proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act. The submissions showed that people understood the importance of having and improving a strong biosecurity system.
“It is vital this legislation is fit for purpose to manage increasing pressures from trade, travel, online purchasing, and climate change,” said Hoggard.
Proposed amendments include higher fines for passengers bringing in undeclared high-risk goods, greater flexibility around importing requirements, and fairer cost-sharing for biosecurity responses.
The consultation, which ran from the 19th of September to the 13th of December, attracted 137 submissions.
“I am very pleased with the level of engagement. The submissions were high quality and showed broad support for modernising the Act.”
Hoggard said there was particularly strong support for introducing new infringement offences, including additional penalties for travellers carrying high-risk goods.
At the same time, he acknowledged there was less support for some of the proposals, including greater cost-sharing with industry for biosecurity responses and changes to compensation eligibility.
“The need for further engagement with Government Industry Agreement (GIA) partners, iwi and Treaty partners, regional councils, importers, aviation and maritime sector bodies, and other interest groups to refine policy recommendations was received loud and clear.”
Following further consultation with submitters to refine the proposals, the Ministry for Primary Industries expects to provide final policy recommendations later this year.
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