Farmers struggle with water and feed shortages
The drought in western parts of the North Island is reaching crisis point with many farmers from Northland to Taranaki having to truck in water and feed for their stock at great expense.
Fruit Fly Council chairman, Philip Manson says that 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," says Mr Manson.
"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 (GIA) 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 Mr Manson.
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 (MPI) 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.
For more information or to view a copy of the agreement summary, visit www.gia.org.nz.
