Frontline biosecurity 'untouchable'
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has reiterated that 'frontline' biosecurity services within Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will not be cut under the Government's plan to reduce the public service.
The questions follow a messy battle with MPI over the fate of 48,000 apple and stonefruit trees.
The High Court deemed MPI’s initial directive to contain and/or destroy the plants under Section 116 of the Biosecurity Act unlawful. Today at 5pm new directives will be proposed from MPI, despite affected apple and stonefruit industry members claiming MPI has had little communication with them.
Whilst all member’s actions are focussing on the directives for the 48,000 plants in question, the orchardists and nursery owners are starting to raise questions about the future of the apple and stonefruit industry.
“MPI has not moved forward with any pace to re-accredit the CPCNW facility in the US, which leaves us at a loss as to how we will access innovative plant varieties to future-proof our industry and maintain a globally competitive industry position,” says Kerry Sixtus of Pattullo’s Nurseries.
“MPI talked about accessing material through other channels such as Canada or France, but MPI has yet to publish their audit reports or indicate whether they will issue import permits for plant materials from these facilities.
“Not all facilities have the same stock. It is not like shopping for groceries, where you have a choice of retailers. We are dealing with unique and limited plant varieties. For that we need to go to specialist stores and build long-term relationships to ensure we have access to the right products,” says Sixtus.
