The Hon Damien O’Connor has been appointed the Minister for Biosecurity in the new Labour-led coalition Government and KVH looks forward to working positively with both the new Minister and his biosecurity staff.

KVH has always worked collaboratively with government and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on identifying biosecurity risks to the kiwifruit industry and ensuring measures are in place to keep them out; and the delivery of cost-effective biosecurity response operations as part of the Government Industry Agreement. We will continue to have a close relationship so that we can carry on our work influencing policy setting and decision making that has an impact on the kiwifruit industry.

While it’s early days yet, the coalition has announced several priorities to progress that we, as an industry, need to be aware of:

• An increase to biosecurity resourcing and a Select Committee Enquiry into biosecurity.
• Increase support for National Science Challenges, including for piloting alternatives to 1080 and countering myrtle rust and kauri dieback.
• Commissioning a feasibility study on the options for moving the Ports of Auckland, including giving Northport serious consideration.

The new Government has a very clear goal of establishing a strategy and vision for our primary sector that ensures we have one of the most sustainable, productive and profitable sectors in the world. KVH believes this aligns well with our strategy to ensure a resilient kiwifruit industry that is protected from biosecurity threats.