Strategy

'Biosecurity' is the protection of New Zealand's economy, environment and people's health from pests and diseases. It includes trying to prevent new pests and diseases arriving, and eradicating or controlling those already present.  See additional information on New Zealand's Biosecurity System.

Biosecurity is especially important to New Zealand – an isolated island nation. Although free of many serious pests and diseases present overseas, New Zealand’s biosecurity systems are under pressure because of growth in international trade and travel.

New Zealand's first Biosecurity Strategy was published in August 2003 by the Biosecurity Council, and has been fully endorsed by the Government. The Strategy proposes a new direction for New Zealand's biosecurity, to deal with the mounting pressures on the biosecurity system.

New Zealand needs a Biosecurity Strategy because:

• its biosecurity systems are under pressure from increasing travel and trade
• there is concern that the level of biosecurity protection is not being maintained as biosecurity risks increase
• the scope of biosecurity has expanded from its traditional focus on protection of primary production and trade, to cover human health and indigenous environments.

The Biosecurity Strategy:

• sets an overall direction for biosecurity
• identifies areas of priority for biosecurity programmes
• applies to primary production (agriculture, horticulture, forestry), public health, and indigenous terrestrial, marine, and freshwater environments
• provides guidance to all involved in biosecurity
• raises public awareness and understanding of biosecurity.

The strategy applies to all New Zealand, all environments (land, freshwater and marine), and to both indigenous and valued introduced flora and fauna. It also has regard to international obligations.

It takes into account the interests of central and local government, Maori, and all relevant sectors, including environment, primary production, public health, trade, travel, and science and research.

The strategy, sets out an overall direction for biosecurity, and contains a detailed list of expectations for the next 5 - 10 years.

Copies of the biosecurity strategy are available for $20 ($30 if posting overseas).

To order one or more copies, download and complete the order form, available in MSWord:order-form.doc (28 Kb) and PDF: order-form.pdf (14 Kb) formats, and send to the address or fax number on the form.

•  Companion document (includes summary of findings and expectations, and the Government’s agreed response and initial plan).