The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has completed a review of the Biosecurity Act 1993 and is currently consulting on several proposed amendments.

Since 2018, KVH has been actively involved in the review process, providing input on behalf of the kiwifruit industry, and it is pleasing to see that this input has been reflected in some of the proposed changes.

What are the proposed changes? There are more than 70 proposed changes to the Act which vary in significance to our industry. MPI has grouped these proposals into six topics and provided discussion documents and more detailed regulatory impact assessments for each:

• System wide issues
• Funding and compensation
• Border and imports
• Readiness and response
• Long-term management
• Legislative interfaces

These documents can be found on the MPI website here.

KVH is drafting a comprehensive submission that will address most of the proposed changes, as each has some bearing on how the biosecurity system will operate in the future, although some of the proposals are much more significant to our sector, particularly those in the sections about funding and compensation, readiness and response, and long-term management.

KVH has attended a number of workshops with other members of the primary sector to ensure we understand the major issues and help inform our position on these. Over the next month we will be testing and socialising our position with the kiwifruit industry, including industry forums such as the NZKGI Forum, Industry Advisory Council, and the Technical Forum.

We welcome the opportunity for further discussion with growers on these matters and will include this as part of our presentation at the upcoming Zespri Grower Roadshows.