From early next year arriving vessels, transitional and containment facilities and cruise ship passengers will face new infringement offences for sloppy biosecurity practices that expose New Zealand to risk from harmful diseases and pests. The new offences will introduce fines of $400 for individuals and $800 for other entities, such as companies, for low-level offending that is not significant enough to warrant prosecution.

The infringements will send a strong message about the importance of biosecurity and will deter people and organisations from breaking the rules. They are another measure that adds further protection to our border.

Read more about the changes on the Ministry for Primary Industries website here.