We were pleased to see last week that ‘Budget 2021’ makes important investments in biosecurity, including protections at our border.

New technology to detect biosecurity threats in international mail is being funded by Government to the tune of $8.9 million.

This initiative will fund additional biosecurity officers, new 3D scanners (that have the potential to automatically detect things like seeds and fruit), and advanced data systems for the new Auckland mail processing centre being built by New Zealand Post.

This will strengthen the management of increasing mail pathway biosecurity risks and automate and improve the biosecurity screening at the new centre, particularly important given the burgeoning e-commerce risk as more and more people go online to order goods from overseas, especially seeds and plants. Which is a good reminder to all kiwifruit growers that importing seeds is best left to reputable commercial operators who know what they must always do to meet strict rules (including an import permit; phytosanitary certificate; and post entry quarantine for example).