Biosecurity levy on list to fight incursions

A biosecurity levy on arriving passengers and products to fund research on incursion threats is among recommendations for the agriculture industry by KPMG. File photo / Kenny Rodger

A biosecurity levy on arriving passengers and products to fund research on incursion threats is among recommendations for the agriculture industry by KPMG.

The accounting and advisory firm said its Agribusiness Agenda report followed interviews with more than 80 industry leaders and analysed the sector with a focus on ideas to capture the potential in global markets.

KPMG Agribusiness chairman Ross Buckley said the firm had made 38 recommendations for agribusiness.

The sector was in a "good space" and vital to the success of the economy, Buckley said.

"But we believe New Zealand agribusiness is not only in a good space but has the potential to grow from good to great."

Industry leaders identified biosecurity as the highest priority.

KPMG head of agribusiness for New Zealand and Asia Pacific Ian Proudfoot said nobody questioned the need for world class biosecurity "and that the no-tolerance position we've taken is something that should be maintained and potentially enforced".

Biosecurity reform legislation going through Parliament was an issue causing people to fall into two camps.

Some people were happy to look at sharing some cost and felt sitting at the table would give them the ability to drive how they wanted to see biosecurity managed better, Proudfoot said.

The larger camp was not comfortable with the concept of sharing the cost of biosecurity and believed the risk to the country from a failure and the financial impact would more than offset any potential saving the government would make.

"We need this issue to be resolved ... in a way where we do not compromise our biosecurity."

There was a need for new cultivars and varieties to come into the country because they drove economic growth. However, they brought threats, Proudfoot said.

KPMG suggested a small biosecurity levy on passengers and products to fund public good research on incursion threats.

"It is an area we do need to spend more money on to ensure that if a threat arrives we've actually done some work on the technology before we get there."

The days were gone when it was sufficient for a country to export good products and services.

"To be commercially viable in an internationally competitive marketplace businesses and countries need to be great at what they do," Proudfoot said.

"To achieve this there are important conversations we must have now about the intensification of agriculture, the adoption of genetic technologies, the role of foreign capital inthe development of New Zealand agriculture and global sourcing of product."

Many industry leaders said a comprehensive debate on the adoption of genetically modified technology was needed.

The adoption of genetic technologies was an emotive issue in this country, Proudfoot said.

"Internationally the use of these technologies is moving into the mainstream," he said.

"Thus there is a concern that if we are not open to discussing the issue the industry could be left behind."

He said no one viewed genetic modification as an area in which New Zealand should lead but the country could not afford to ignore it.

KPMG ADVISES
* Biosecurity levy on passenger and product arrivals to fund public good research on incursion threats.
* Create good governance and financial management blueprint for farming business.
* Debate the role of more intensive farming practices in agriculture.
* Review and align the Government's carbon-related initiatives in an integrated strategy.
* Establish international food and innovation incubators and innovation centres in key markets.