History of the Strategy

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, Māori, 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.

Supporting Documents:

Page last updated: 16 October 2008