Whanganui MP Steph Lewis' first member's bill drawn from ballot

Steph Lewis says not all airlines provide biosecurity information to their passengers before they arrive in New Zealand. Photo / Bevan Conley

Whanganui MP Steph Lewis is leading the charge on the Biosecurity (Information for Incoming Passengers) Amendment Bill.

The new member's bill, which was drawn from the ballot last week, amends the 1993 Biosecurity Act to require that all craft coming to New Zealand provide biosecurity information to the people aboard by means of an audio-visual recording and writing.

Lewis said currently it was optional for airlines to provide biosecurity information to passengers on their way to New Zealand.

"They can either choose to provide it in paper form, like the arrival card that you might recall from way back when we could travel, and for those with inbuilt screens you also have the option of doing a video," Lewis said.

"While most airlines do it, not all of them do. As it's optional, there's nothing stopping them from saying 'we're bored of this video now, we're just not going to play it'.

"The change would mean that airlines would have to provide that information, so passengers would have it before they land in New Zealand."

Lewis said the bill was an example of "a little change that could have a significant impact".

"It's just about giving people a little bit of information to help them help us protect our unique environment.

"Although we're not getting a huge volume of people into the country at the moment, we know it's going to happen again in the future.

"What I'm saying is let's get ready for that and let's add an additional layer of protection for the industries that have helped pull us through economically and have kept us fed."

Farmers and growers had been at the forefront of New Zealand's export-led economic recovery, Lewis said, and the bill would add another layer of protection for the primary sector.

"Unwanted pests and diseases can endanger native species and upset ecosystems.

"They can also weaken the earning potential of our primary industries, including by limiting New Zealand's access to export markets and impacting the health of plants and animals."

Lewis said the bill was initially drafted by Conservation Minister Kiritapu Allan.

"It's one that I'm really happy to be able to take on and champion.

"Kiri comes from the regions, like me, and she's worked in the agricultural and horticultural sectors. We both know how devastating a significant incursion would be on our regional communities.

"I believe It will take a few months before the bill comes to first readings, so in that time I've got to do all my research and talk to key stakeholders to get their perspectives.

"There will also be a 10-minute speech to put together, which I'll deliver to Parliament to kick off the debate about whether or not it should be allowed through to the select committee stage."