The announcement that the government will share biosecurity costs 50:50 is welcomed by the beleaguered kiwifruit industry.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers president Peter Ombler and Biosecurity Minister David Carter are happy to be working together on managing Psa.

'We have been working with government to effectively manage the Psa incursion and welcome the minister's announcement as a further step forward to improve biosecurity outcomes for New Zealand,” says New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers president Peter Ombler.
On Friday, Biosecurity Minister David Carter reiterated the government's commitment to Government Industry Agreements (GIA) in a round of meetings with leading industry representatives.
'In discussion with industry, the government has agreed to meet a minimum cost share of 50 per cent for priority readiness and response programmes,” says David.
'This underpins the government's willingness to work in partnership with industry to ensure New Zealand has the best biosecurity system possible.”
Strengthened partnerships between industry and government will lead to better results in dealing with incursions of pests and diseases, says David.
The timeframe for signing the GIA deed of agreement still enables industry groups to engage on the finer details of the legal deed.
'Government Industry Agreements are about joint decision-making. I urge industry to continue to collaborate closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry so that any issues are worked through before the deed is finalised by cabinet.”
The kiwifruit industry's experience with Psa has sown the only way the industry can effectively manage the vine disease is through partnering with government, says Peter.

'We are a living example of how this can work. For example at the request of the kiwifruit industry, MAF has imposed movement control over plant material, namely nursery stock, preventing its removal from Te Puke.

'This was done at the request of the industry to help prevent Psa spreading around New Zealand.”