Future of Pest Management Project

Launch of Pest Management National Plan of Action

The Pest Management National Plan of Action was launched at Parliament on Thursday 3 March 2011. Minister Carter, leaders from central and local government, industry and other organisations involved in Pest Management attended the official launch.

The launch marked the conclusion of the Future of Pest Management Project, following a detailed collaborative process, and marked the beginning of a better way of working for MAF and its partners in pest management.

'The purpose of this plan is to ensure that everyone involved in pest management acts collectively in New Zealand’s best interests,' said Peter Thomson, Deputy Director General, Ministry of Agriculture and Forrestry, in his opening address.

Minister Carter addressed the economic impact of pests, which drain at least 2% of Gross Domestic Product each year, 'Only with increasing cooperation, sharing of costs and alignment amongst many diverse parties can things get better.'

'The plan clarifies how pest management decisions will be made and who will do what, so that our pests and weeds are less of a drag on our economy. I have already moved to secure those leadership roles in law, provide a legal basis for national policy, to simplify and streamline formation of pest management strategies, and to bind the Crown to fufil good neighbour obligations defined in those strategies,' explained Minister Carter.

MAF will lead the implementation of this plan of action, with collective governance and broad input being provided from all the key pest management players.

Basil Chamberlain, Chief Executive of Taranaki Regional Council, and Sam McIvor, Chief Executive of Pork New Zealand, spoke about the changes the collaborative plan will deliver.

Basil Chamberlain, Chief Executive of Taranaki Regional Council, Hon David Carter and Sam McIvor, Chief Executive of Pork New Zealand

Hon David Carter with Peter Lawless, Project Manager, National Plan of Action

What is the Future of Pest Management Project?

The purpose of the Future of Pest Management Project is to improve pest management systems to meet New Zealand’s needs over next 25 years.

The scope of the project includes all systems of management for pests established on New Zealand lands, in lakes, rivers and streams, and in the sea to 12 nautical miles.

The work looks at the management systems themselves to identify the critical changes needed for the challenges of the future, rather than trying to solve the issues surrounding particular pests. The review does not include border biosecurity or incursion response, but does consider the interaction of border management with that of established pests. Where it makes sense for solutions to apply across the biosecurity system, rather than specifically for pest management, the plan of action recommends that this happens.

What is it trying to do?

While New Zealand’s pest management systems stack up well compared with other jurisdictions, further improvements are needed to position the pest management sector to meet future challenges.

The overall purpose of the project is to find ways to solve five critical issues in pest management:

• Lack of clarity in overall roles and accountabilities for pest management.
• Crown obligations as a “good neighbour” landowner do not match those of other parties.
• The legislation underpinning pest management activities is outdated.
• Physical control and pest management monitoring tools are insufficient for future needs.
• Collective action and participation in pest management is insufficient.

The project addresses complex issues, will impact on many stakeholders, and must produce results within a tight timeframe.

The project is committed to an inclusive stakeholder engagement process, including public consultation, which will result in a national plan of action.

Who is involved?

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is leading the Future of Pest Management Project on behalf of New Zealand. Senior executives of central and regional government, industry and Māori have committed to working together, and providing leadership. They want the project to achieve results.

Organisations with a significant interest in pest management were represented on the project working groups and are already informed and engaged with the process. In addition MAF has identified key individuals and influencers that have a high interest in the work, and more than 100 stakeholder groups that have an interest in the work.

How does the plan of action connect with the Biosecurity Act review?

The Biosecurity Act 1993 is being reviewed to strengthen border management. The Minister for Biosecurity has agreed that changes required to give effect to the Plan of Action for pest management can be included in the resulting Bill. This sets the timetable for policy decisions on law changes.

What ideas are there about how to make things better?

Key solutions emerging from the project are:

• Purpose and functions specified in law, including clear national and regional leadership roles for MAF and Councils.
• Minister for Biosecurity to determine jurisdiction in complex cases.
• Interim policy for default roles for pest management in the marine environment.

Immediate Biosecurity Act amendments, including:

• A requirement for Crown land managing agencies to meet good neighbour obligations under regional pest management strategies.
• Purpose and functions pest management and central and regional government.
• More flexible pest management strategies.
• A new regulatory tool for managing domestic pathways.
• A more comprehensive legal review to follow.
• Integrated toolbox management.
• Measuring performance of pest programmes and overall system.
• A Māori advisory committee.

These solutions would be implemented through amendments to the Biosecurity Act 1993, cooperative efforts to develop and apply best practice, shared policy to ensure that roles are clear and action coordinated and enhanced practices to collective effort and engagement with affected parties.

For more information

For more information email fopm@maf.govt.nz or write to Future of Pest Management, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, PO Box 2526, Wellington 6140.

Page last updated: 10 May 2011