We're working with industry groups and government agencies to help develop robust biosecurity policy, systems and standards.
Our biosecurity role
B+LNZ works with industry groups and government agencies to help develop robust biosecurity policy, systems and standards.
We ensure the best interests of sheep and beef farmers are represented by:
- providing technical advice on import risks and import health standards
- participating in Ministry of Primary Industries projects that aim to improve response capability
- preparing submissions on biosecurity legislation or policy consultations that may affect sheep and beef farmers
- providing input into international standards and biosecurity guidelines, including the World Organisation for Animal Health’s Terrestrial Animal Health Code
- working to ensure the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) system is effective, efficient, and takes the practical realities of beef farming into account.
Our role in the GIA
The Government Industry Agreement for Biosecurity Readiness and Response (GIA) is a partnership between Government and industry that aims to improve New Zealand’s biosecurity.
B+LNZ participates in negotiations with MPI and many other primary industry groups that are working towards developing the most favourable framework for our sector that we can achieve.
B+LNZ was instrumental in persuading MPI to work with us to undertake an overhaul of preparedness for our industry’s biggest risk – foot and mouth disease (FMD). This work on the FMD Preparedness Programme has brought New Zealand’s capability for dealing with large disease outbreaks up to the point where any future investment by industry though GIA will be about making genuine improvements rather than fixing pre-existing gaps.
Operational Agreements under the GIA
Under the GIA, the agricultural sector and the Government develop agreements covering readiness and response for specific pests. Operational Agreements set out the commitments of the Government and each sector party, including funding shares for readiness and response activity.
The following Operational Agreements between the agricultural sector and the Government were negotiated as part of the GIA, and given farmer approval through a formal voting process.
- Operational Agreement on foot and mouth disease readiness and response.
- Mycoplasma bovis eradication programme.
Background to the GIA
In late 2017 B+LNZ held a farmer vote on joining the GIA, how the sector’s views would be represented under the GIA and how B+LNZ’s commitments under the GIA would be funded. Eighty-nine percent of votes supported joining the GIA.
On 5 December 2018 B+LNZ officially joined the GIA.
Read the results of B+LNZ's consultation with farmers about joining the GIA (PDF, 225KB).