Fruit industry backs new levy

Peter Ombler says the recent Queensland fruit fly response reinforces the pressure on New Zealand's borders.

Kiwifruit Vine Health has welcomed moves by the Government to collect a border levy to help fund increased protection and security.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy said biosecurity funding would be boosted by $24.9 million over four years, in addition to $2 million of capital funding, to increase border capabilities.

From the start of next year, passengers coming in and out of New Zealand would pay about $16 (inwards) and $6 (outwards).

"New Zealand has a world-class biosecurity system but there will always be a need for improvement. This investment will help future-proof our system to deal with the constantly changing demands of modern biosecurity," he said.

"The funding will be used to expand New Zealand's ability to detect pests and diseases, stop risk at the border and deal with risk offshore."

KVH chairman Peter Ombler said the organisation had been working with Mr Guy to address pressure at the border as part of its wider biosecurity role to review and improve biosecurity activities.

"As passenger numbers coming in to New Zealand rise, so too does the risk of unwanted biosecurity threats entering and impacting our primary industries and unique native environment. As a trading country, New Zealand is very dependent on its thriving export industry of horticulture and primary products. The recent Queensland fruit fly response reinforces the pressure on New Zealand's borders.

"KVH believes it is both logical and sensible to implement a passenger surcharge which will go a long way in future proofing the cost of New Zealand's biosecurity system, currently borne by New Zealand taxpayers."

MPI recently launched the Biosecurity 2025 project to review and future-proof the country's biosecurity system. HortNZ president Julian Raine said the move was "a signal to everyone coming here that we don't take biosecurity lightly".

"We will be pushing for a rate that appropriately reflects the true cost of the long-term sustainable border protection that we need.

"The good thing about this levy is that as the number of visitors increases, so will the revenue it generates, to cover the increased cost of processing passengers and the risk they represent."

However, he suggested the $16 levy figure was still a long way off the $58 charged by Australia.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand and the Meat Industry Association also supported the move.

Beef + Lamb chief executive Dr Scott Champion said given agriculture's contribution to the New Zealand economy and the reliance on a strong sector it was sensible to see the focus on ensuring border processes stay fit for purpose.

Meat Industry Association chief executive Tim Ritchie said the levy was just one part of a wider biosecurity system.

"The red-meat sector already contributes a lot to managing the risks of pests and diseases - it is only fair that international travellers who are a major biosecurity risk to the New Zealand economy, also make a contribution," he said.

"Biosecurity is fundamental to the red meat sector and the New Zealand economy, so it is pleasing to see that the levy will be dedicated to future-proofing the biosecurity system."