Biosecurity leaking boat

The Government's shortfalls that led to the outbreak of the Psa kiwifruit virus are symptomatic of a host of changes that are relaxing biosecurity, the Green Party said today.

The issues that need attention are:

• The lack of any mention of biodiversity or conservation in Ministry for Primary Industries' (MPI) strategic plans,

• The new direct exiting process at airports,

• Insufficient safeguards for the importing of personal effects in containers,

• Health import standards that are not based on evidence and do not address concerns of producer groups,

• Continual cost cutting to biosecurity.

"Biosecurity is springing leaks all over the place and we don't have enough plugs to stop all the holes," said Green Party biosecurity and customs spokesperson Steffan Browning.

"Our reputation as a country that values our biosecurity is being run over by MPI's rush to reduce their own spending, at a cost to all other sectors.

"The good work many Biosecurity staff are doing is being let down by inadequate resourcing and systems.

"A crucial reason for our strong biosecurity borders has always been our vulnerable native flora and fauna, and yet MPI doesn't even mention biodiversity or conservation in their strategic plans.

"They appear to be focusing on risks to just a few primary production sectors and forgetting about the rest.

"If no changes are made, the next independent reviewer will have an easy job cutting and pasting sections from yesterday's report into future reports on incursions; the problem is endemic.

"David Carter must not forget the lessons from yesterday's independent report. He needs to own the responsibility and use the findings as a springboard for action on turning biosecurity around."