Ruth Gilchrist – Biosecurity Business Pledge

Update from Biosecurity NZ – November 2024

An update from Biosecurity New Zealand

In coming months, Biosecurity New Zealand (BNZ) will work with people and organisations across the system to confirm a shared direction for collective biosecurity management and identify priority actions to achieve this.

Throughout 2023 and early 2024, we conducted extensive engagement with people offering local, regional and central government, Māori, industry, business, environmental, science, non-governmental agency, youth and Crown Research Institute perspectives. Thank you to those of you who have contributed to this work.

BNZ is using all this information and advice to draft a one-page Strategic Action Plan comprising a vision, mission, outcomes and priority actions.

The development of this jointly owned plan is a shift in approach from the previously intended aspirational system-wide strategy and separate implementation plan.

This changed approach is expected to deliver timely improvements where they are needed most and in a way that makes efficient, effective use of collective existing resources.

BNZ will now refine this draft plan with partners and stakeholders that are committed to joint ownership, and who are prepared to take the lead on actions where they are best placed and can commit the necessary resources. We are in the process of setting up a joint steering group that will finalise the Strategic Action Plan, and drive and monitor its implementation.

Opportunities for wider involvement will be confirmed once the joint steering group has been established, and plans have been firmed up. In the meantime, please visit https://www.mpi.govt.nz/biosecurity/about-biosecurity-in-new-zealand/a-strategic-action-plan-for-the-biosecurity-system for developments.

BBP Field Trip – Lyttleton Port Company

Friday 29 November saw 12 pledge members join with nine staff from BNZ, together with four from LPC and the BBP to participate in a biosecurity readiness workshop.

Expertly facilitated by Angus McKay, Assistant Commissioner Compliance & Response, BNZ, the morning session featured a hypothetical BMSB incursion scenario and what impacts a Controlled Area Notice may have. Participants were then tasked with a number of questions and taken through an evolving scenario which examined levels of readiness for organisations. I think it was best summed up by one participant who stressed the need for businesses to understand what life could be like in a response and make plans accordingly.

The session was expertly curated by BNZ staff with special thanks to Shelley Ashton for pulling it all together. The not-to-scale BMSB 3-D printed models were the real stars of the show – as per the photos. Special mention to Pledge members, the French Bakery, for providing a delicious, freshly created morning tea.

Stuart Anderson, Deputy Director-General, Biosecurity New Zealand, then addressed the group and spoke about the importance of partnership to the government-led biosecurity programme. MPI have consulted on proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act.

After a quick working lunch, it was off to the bus for a tour of the Port.

LPC absolutely dominates the shoreline so it was good to be able to head for the surrounding hills to find a vantage spot to take it all in. Tony Simpson, Head of Bulk Cargo at LPC and chief conspirator with Shelley for the day’s events, did a magnificent job of not only explaining the inner workings of the biosecurity aspects of the Port (including a close of the transitional facility and the only dry-dock in New Zealand (think hull de-fouling) apart from the facility at Devonport Naval base.

Tony was also able to regale us with tales of Lyttleton’s wider history – which ran to the town’s last hanging (1918), early encounters with a German pirate, a nearby quarantine station and the gun emplacements – built but not required to protect against the prevalent Russian threat in the 1880s.

It was an excellent day with many highlights and a day that I am sure helped BBP members appreciate the intricacies of a potential response, the workings of a port and that they have colleagues nearby who have a shared interest in protecting what is important to us all. Ko tatou.

Pledge Members, LPC Staff and BNZ Staff on the tour

Pledge Member Spotlight – Zespri

Zespri is a thriving co-operative of kiwifruit growers in New Zealand. Headquartered in Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty and with offices in over 20 countries, Zespri is the world’s largest marketer of kiwifruit, selling in over 50 countries. It also works with growers in South Korea, Italy, Japan and France in the Northern Hemisphere with the aim of providing kiwifruit to consumers all year round.

Pledge Member Spotlight – NZ Post

With biosecurity threats increasing at the border, NZ Post’s International Mail Centre (IMC), has a critical role to play alongside Biosecurity New Zealand (BNZ) in preventing the introduction and spread of harmful organisms in New Zealand. The IMC takes pride in its commitment to protecting the country from potential biosecurity threats which may include invasive species, plant diseases, pests and prohibited items such as seeds, plants, animal products and soil.

Building the biosecurity toolbox – Unwanted pest and diseases ID cards

The principle objective of the Pledge is to support and encourage businesses to play a proactive role in a biosecurity system that successfully protects New Zealand’s unique national environment, economy and way of life. The Pledge helps build business competence to proactively adopt good biosecurity measures that help reduce disruption to business and trade.

A significant milestone for the Biosecurity Business Pledge

The Hon Andrew Hoggard, Minister for Biosecurity, joined Biosecurity Business Pledge members to celebrate the inaugural AGM of the Biosecurity Business Pledge Incorporated Society (as pictured).

Spotlight on new Pledge member

Carol’s work has taken her round the world to observe and learn from poultry facilities in countries such as Northern Ireland, the United States, Zimbabwe and Australia.

Governance and CEO Guidance Launched

The significance of biosecurity to the New Zealand economy and the business community is underscored by its top priority ranking for eleven years straight in the KPMG agribusiness agenda. With the high degree of connectivity between New Zealand businesses, it is a risk that commands active governance and management at all top tables.

Member Spotlight: NZ Pork

Meet Brent Kleiss, Policy Manager for NZ Pork, and previously at MPI. Having moved to the other side of the partnership, Brent sees the benefits of a non-competitive platform where all businesses and sectors are collaborating and sharing practices. New Zealand’s commercial pig farming industry relies on all participants across its supply chain being invested in biosecurity and is internationally recognised for its high-health status.

Leading the way – Pernod Ricard Winemakers signs Biosecurity Business Pledge

Pernod Ricard Winemakers recently signed up to the pledge and were the first wine company to get on board. Tracey Marshall, Pernod Ricard’s New Zealand Sustainability Manager, said signing up to the pledge was a no-brainer. “Looking at the commitments of the pledge, everything that we were pledging to do is either what we are already doing, or should be doing anyway,” says Tracey. “Signing up to these commitments was a way of highlighting to the rest of the senior leadership team – and our whole organisation – that biosecurity is a business priority for us,” she added.