The battle against fruit fly incursions has taken another step up with the signing in of an operational agreement to reduce the damaging impacts of the insect on the horticultural industry and the nation's economy.

Jen Scoular, CEO of NZ Avocado, and Barry O'Neill, CEO of Kiwifruit Vine Health were among those to sign the agreement in Wellington yesterday as part of their roles as signatories to the Government Industry Agreement for Biosecurity Readiness and Response.

David Teulon (B3), Jen Scoular (NZ Avocado), Allan Pollard (Pipfruit NZ), Barry O'Neill (KVH), Rebecca Fisher (NZ Citrus Growers Inc), Andrew Coleman (MPI). Top row: Martyn Dunne (MPI), Minister for Primary Industries, Nathan Guy, Philip Manson (NZ Wine Growers).

The agreement was also signed by Dr David Teulon, Director, Better Border Biosecurity, known as B3, Allan Pollard, CEO of Pipfruit NZ and Rebecca Fisher executive manager of NZ Citrus Growers Inc.

Fruit Fly Council chairman, Philip Manson says the council is pleased to have finalised the agreement after months of negotiations amongst the parties.

'This means the horticulture sector and the Ministry for Primary Industries can work together to manage and help reduce the impacts of fruit fly on the sector.

'Fruit flies are one of the biggest biosecurity threats facing horticulture. A fruit fly incursion could cost the horticulture industry up to $2.1 billion (calculated as the annual value of first point of sales). Eighty percent of this value is represented by signatories to the agreement, who will be partners in joint decision making under Government Industry Agreement for readiness and response.”

This is the first such agreement under GIA. It sets out the operational requirements for readiness and response activities and cost-sharing arrangements between Government and affected industries.

'By working together under GIA, Government and affected industries can achieve far greater outcomes than working in isolation. The agreement clearly sets out the roles and responsibilities of all the parties, and how joint activities will be funded between all the parties,” says Philip.

The agreement was signed by the parties at the B3 – Better Border Biosecurity Conference with the Minister for Primary Industries, Nathan Guy.

Other attendees included representatives of the signing industry groups, the Ministry for Primary Industries and the GIA Secretariat.

Initial signatories to the operational agreement are Pipfruit NZ, Kiwifruit Vine Health, New Zealand Avocado Growers Association Inc, New Zealand Citrus Growers Inc and the Ministry for Primary Industries