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HortNZ chief executive Mike Chapman
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) says its is thrilled that the Biosecurity (Information for Incoming Passengers) Amendment Bill was drawn from the Private Member's Ballot yesterday.
The bill was introduced by Labour MP Steph Lewis.
If passed, the bill will amend the Biosecurity Act 1993 to require that all aircrafts entering New Zealand provide biosecurity information to people onboard by both a video and writing.
"When the border re-opens, it will be important to remind travellers of the need to be particularly vigilant when entering New Zealand," says HortNZ chief executive Mike Chapman.
He says that New Zealand's horticulture and other primary industries could be destroyed if a virulent pest or disease entered the country.
"This would have catastrophic effects on exports and the New Zealand economy, at a time when things are already fragile."
"Our border security staff do a fantastic job. When passed, this law will support their role to keep New Zealand's biosecurity tight, by reminding passengers to be vigilant and declare any goods that could be harbouring a pest or disease that New Zealand doesn't have."
A first reading of the bill has not been scheduled.
New Zealand Winegrowers Biosecurity Advisor Jim Herdman is retiring at the end of 2025, after six years helping develop NZW's member-facing biosecurity programme, putting together resources and guides, and delivering high-quality workshops and advice.
Biosecurity New Zealand is intensifying its campaign to locate and eliminate the invasive yellow-legged hornet, following confirmed detections on Auckland's North Shore.
A recently held arable field day in the Manawatu brought with it a timely reminder to be on the lookout for velvetleaf incursions.
The head of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) biosecurity operation, Stuart Anderson, has defended the cost and the need for a Plant Healht and Environment Laboratory (PHEL) being built in Auckland.
It's critical that the horticulture sector works together as part of a goal to double the sector’s exports by 2035.
Government plans to get rid of regional councillors shows a lack of understanding of the fundamental problem affecting all of local government - poor governance.
It’s official, lamb will take centre stage on Kiwi Christmas tables this year.
For over 20 years, Whakatane farmer Gerard Van Beek has been attending Fonterra annual general meetings with the same message - it's time to include lactose in the co-op's farmgate milk price model.
Retiring Fonterra director Andy Macfarlane believes the co-operative has made good progress over the past decade but adds that there's still a way to go.
Visiting US climate change expert Dr Will Happer says the idea of reducing cow numbers to greatly reduce methane emissions is crazy.
Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping "The Twelve Days of Christmas" for "The Twelve Pests of Christmas" in an effort to highlight the most troublesome farm pests.
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