New improvements to biosecurity processing at Auckland Airport have been welcomed by Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy today.

“We are expecting the busiest summer ever for visitor arrivals so the Ministry for Primary Industries is now on high alert for biosecurity threats. These new measures will improve how we process and screen passengers for any extra, unwanted visitors,” says Mr Guy.

The changes include:

A new dedicated biosecurity lane for New Zealand and Australian travellers with no declarations to be screened and processed. Two detector dog teams on duty at the same time covering all lanes. An additional baggage x-ray machine, bringing the total to seven at the international airport.

“As well as improving biosecurity screening, the extra space will mean more efficient clearance of passengers.”

The changes have been developed in partnership with Auckland Airport who have funded the physical redevelopment.

“This summer we are expecting 1.6 million passengers to arrive in New Zealand, most of whom enter via Auckland. On a busy day arrival numbers at Auckland airport could reach 18,500.

“Biosecurity is my number one priority as Minister. In last year’s Budget I announced $27 million in new funding which has helped MPI employ 50 new front line biosecurity staff and 20 extra biosecurity detector dog teams.

“We have also introduced new x-ray scanning machines, including mobile units that can be moved around the country to help clear cruise ship passengers as well as at airports and international mail centres during peak times.

“An animated biosecurity video featuring ‘Officer Goodboy’ is now playing on 16 airlines entering New Zealand, raising awareness with passengers of the importance of declaring items.

“The recently released Biosecurity 2025 Direction Statement is also setting a future direction and helping future proof the system.”

The public has one week left to make a submission on new proposals to modernise and future-proof New Zealand’s fisheries management system, says Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy.

“The Future of our Fisheries is a major programme of work to improve the sustainable, long-term benefits enjoyed by all New Zealanders,” says Mr Guy.

“Public meetings have been held around the country with good turnout and engagement from all sectors – recreational, customary and commercial. However submissions close on Friday 23 December so people need to send their thoughts in over the next seven days.”

The three strategic proposals are maximising value from our fisheries, better fisheries information and agile and responsive decision-making.

There are also two regulatory changes outlined for the Integrated Electronic Monitoring and Reporting System (IERMS), which includes cameras, geospatial monitoring and electronic reporting, and providing flexibility for developing new trawl technologies.

“Our fisheries management has been recognised as world-leading, but we need to keep looking for ways to improve the system and meet future challenges. This is a great opportunity for everyone to have their say on how we can better manage one of New Zealand’s most valuable resources.” 

A full copy of the document and information on where public meetings will be held is available at http://mpi.govt.nz/news-and-resources/consultations/future-of-our-fisheries.

The temporary emergency closure of the rock lobster (crayfish) fishery along the east coast of the South Island will be officially lifted at 5pm on Tuesday 20 December next week, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has announced today.

“This is really positive news for the local community and economy given this fishery is worth around $23 million per year,” says Mr Guy.

“This fishery was temporarily closed on 21 November so we could assess the impact of the earthquake with the help of a $2 million research package.

“The scientific findings from this survey indicate the rock lobster fishery has come through in relatively good shape. This has given me enough confidence to officially reopen the fishery for all sectors – recreational, commercial and customary.

“The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has done an excellent job working so quickly to confirm the nature and scale of earthquake impacts on the crayfish population and habitat.”

A closure notice is still in effect for all remaining shellfish and seaweed species (excluding scampi), up to 20 February 2017 at 5pm.

“There is still more work to be done in assessing the impact on paua, but it’s clear there has been a major impact in some areas. We have scientific work underway and will be working with all stakeholders on a plan to give this important fishery the best opportunity to recover.

“A massive rescue and relocation effort of paua has been carried out along the Kaikoura coast by an incredibly dedicated group of volunteers and I salute them again for that work.

“MPI will continue to have an increased fishery officer presence along the Kaikōura coast to ensure compliance with the rules. I encourage everyone fishing in the area to be responsible – only take what you need and don’t exceed what you’re allowed. We all have to play our part to give this valuable fishery the best chance to recover.

“I also encourage people to keep an eye out for suspicious activity and call MPI on 0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24) or email poacher@mpi.govt.nz to report it. Anyone breaking the law will face the consequences.”

The decision by the Minister is made under section 16 of the Fisheries Act 1996.

The daily bag limit for rock lobster in this fishery is six for recreational fishers. More information is available at https://www.mpi.govt.nz/travel-and-recreation/fishing/fishing-rules/kaikoura-area-fishing-rules/

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Conservation Minister Maggie Barry have welcomed initiatives by the seafood industry to further protect Māui dolphins.

“There are already extensive fishing protections over a large part of the Māui dolphin distribution, and these new steps will provide even greater reassurance and protection,” says Mr Guy.

The proposed changes by Moana New Zealand and Sanford cover the area from Maunganui Bluff in the North to the Whanganui River Mouth. They include:

No set nets in the area north of New Plymouth From October 2017 fishers will install full electronic monitoring (cameras and tracking) Transition away from conventional trawl fishing methods

“We have been discussing these options with industry for the last 18 months so it’s pleasing to see them taking a proactive, precautionary stance and committing to working with the Government,” says Mr Guy.

“Over the next few years we’re also rolling out the Integrated Electronic Monitoring and Reporting System (IERMS), which includes cameras, geospatial monitoring and electronic reporting on every commercial fishing vessel. The move by these fishing companies to adopt this technology early is a big vote of confidence,” says Mr Guy.

“We are pleased that a number of the measures reflect proposals in the Future of our Fisheries programme that is currently being consulted on – including the electronic monitoring and use of innovative trawl technologies.”

“This is a welcome and important step to further protect the Māui dolphin,” says Ms Barry.

“While the recently completed scientific survey carried out over the last two years showed encouraging signs the population has stabilised, with an estimate of 63 adults, there is no dispute the Māui dolphin is critically endangered and the Government remains committed to ensuring its long-term survival.

“DOC and MPI’s marine experts will analyse the details of the proposal and have further discussions with Sanford, Moana and WWF-NZ ahead of the commitment’s start date in October next year.”

More than 1,700 square kilometres off the west coast of the North Island have been closed to trawl net fishing since 2003, and over 6,200 square kilometres closed to set netting. 

Since July 2012 there has been mandatory observer coverage on all commercial set net vessels operating offshore out to seven nautical miles in the Taranaki region. Since March 2014, there has also been increasing observer coverage on the trawl fleet north of Taranaki.

DOC and MPI are investing over $2 million in research to ensure the best science-based decisions are made for future protection of Māui dolphins.

Primary Industries Ministers Nathan Guy and Jo Goodhew have welcomed Fonterra's announcement that it will be investing $240 million to build a new mozzarella plant at its Clandeboye site in South Canterbury, driven in part by the success of the Primary Growth Partnership (PGP).

"This will be the ingle largest foodservice investment in the history of New Zealand's dairy industry, and comes thanks to the success of the Transforming the Dairy Value Chain PGP programme," says Mr Guy.

“This has developed world-leading technology that can produce natural individual quick frozen mozzarella in six hours, a process that traditionally took three months. This has given Fonterra the confidence to invest in a new plant, in addition to the $72 million expansion in 2013.

"This is another success story for the Primary Growth Partnership and for innovation in the primary sector.”

Associate Primary Industries Minister and MP for Rangitata, Jo Goodhew, says the investment will be a major boost for the regional economy.

“I went to school next door to the Clandeboye factory, which is now the education centre for the expanded site, so I know how important Clandeboye is to the local community,” says Mrs Goodhew.

"All of this investment and innovation is creating new jobs in South Canterbury, scaling up production and contributing to the region's economy.

"This is a prime example of the benefits that come from the government and industry working together to support research and development."

Transforming the Dairy Value Chain is a $170 million PGP programme co-funded by industry and the Ministry for Primary Industries. It is helping to create new dairy products, increase on-farm productivity, reduce environmental impacts, and improve agricultural education. 

More information is available at http://www.mpi.govt.nz/funding-and-programmes/primary-growth-partnership/primary-growth-partnership-programmes/transforming-the-dairy-value-chain/

The potato industry has become the thirteenth industry partner to join the Government Industry Agreement (GIA) biosecurity partnership, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has announced today.

“It’s very pleasing to have Potatoes New Zealand working with the Ministry for Primary Industries and other industry partners on biosecurity,” says Mr Guy.

“It means we can work together on managing and responding to the most important risks like tomato- potato psyllid.

“I want to thank the potato growers for joining GIA. It shows they want to work collaboratively with MPI on biosecurity preparedness and responses.

“As the recent Biosecurity 2025 Direction Statement outlines, biosecurity is a shared responsibility. It needs everyone working together sharing their expertise and experience.”

The signing of the agreement was attended by Mr Guy at a potato farm near Levin this morning.

The potato industry is worth $142 million at the farm gate and is a staple grocery item, generating $500 million across the value chain.

They join Vegetables NZ, TomatoesNZ, Kiwifruit Vine Health, Pipfruit New Zealand, New Zealand Pork, New Zealand Equine Health Association, Onions New Zealand, the Forestry Owners Association, The New Zealand Avocado Growers’ Association, New Zealand Citrus Growers Incorporated and the Ministry for Primary Industries under GIA.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has welcomed certification of several orange roughy fisheries by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

“This is a great success and recognition for a fishery that was in real trouble in the early 1990s,” says Mr Guy.

“A huge amount of work has gone into rebuilding this fishery over the years by industry and successive Governments. To now have it recognised as sustainable by an independent, international body is worth celebrating.”

MSC is an international non-profit organisation which recognises and rewards sustainable fishing practices around the world. The certification follows two years of review and assessment by an independent team of experts.

Orange roughy is a deepwater species with the key fisheries in the Chatham Rise and to the north west of the South Island. In 2015 it was estimated to generate export earnings of more than $53 million with the US being an important market.

“In the early days of this fishery there was over-fishing which led to greatly reduced catch limits. Since then scientific research has given us better information and new fisheries technology has helped this fishery to rebuild.

“Many international markets are now demanding MSC certification as a baseline requirement, so to have this for such a valuable export fish stock is extremely important.

“It shows the QMS is flexible and effective, and helps support the global reputation of New Zealand as being committed to developing sustainable fisheries.”

Further information on the MSC certification of orange roughy can found on their website: https://fisheries.msc.org/en/fisheries/new-zealand-orange-roughy/@@view

Other New Zealand species are certified by the MSC are hoki, hake, ling, southern blue whiting and albacore troll.

New case studies on top performing dairy farms will help other farmers drive their economic and environmental performance, says Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy.

The studies are part of the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Farm Systems Change programme, which is looking at ways to help farmers boost performance by learning from the strongest performers.

“Last year the Government allocated $800,000 towards this project which is focused on understanding the drivers of farm performance and sharing that knowledge with others.

“A key focus in these case studies is how high performing farms keep their working expenses well below $4 per kilogram of milk solids. This includes the availability of feed, how efficiently it’s turned into milk solids, and how much is wasted.

“Animal health is another area of focus in the case studies. Well cared for cows are more productive and leads to fewer cows required to produce a given quantity of milk solids.

“Another common theme across the case studies is finding ways to increase resilience through ‘weatherproofing’ production, such as changing feed types and improved pasture and irrigation management.”

The first set of case studies were released tonight at the 2016 DairyNZ Environment Leaders Forum and more will be released in 2017.

“Thank you to all the farmers involved who have been willing to share their experiences and knowledge through this project.

“This is one of a number of ways we are working with industry towards our goal of doubling the value of primary sector exports by 2025.”

The case studies are available at: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/growing-and-producing/dairy-animals/farm-systems-change/

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has welcomed the New Zealand Horticulture Export Authority Amendment Bill passing its third reading in Parliament last night.

“Horticulture is now New Zealand’s fourth largest export industry and this bill provides an improved framework for producers and exporters to collaborate in marketing their products,” says Mr Guy.

“The changes provide more clarity around the entry and exit requirements, and more efficient methods for the Authority to collect fees and levies from producers and exporters.

“Growers and exporters of horticultural products like avocados, summerfruit and buttercup squash will be able to better target their marketing strategies to different markets.

“It’s about choice and empowering industries to optimise their returns from different markets.

“The global market has changed a lot since 1987 and these changes have been made following consultation with the New Zealand Horticulture Export Authority and the nine product groups which use this export framework.

“Horticulture is a star performer of the New Zealand economy with export revenue just under $5 billion, and a goal of becoming a $10 billion industry by 2020.

“It’s very fitting for this bill to be passed just a week after Horticulture New Zealand celebrated 100 years of representing growers, starting as the New Zealand Fruitgrowers Federation in 1916.

“I want to thank the members of the Primary Production Select Committee for their work on this bill, and the good suggestions made by industry as it has made its way through Parliament.”

Acting ACC Minister Nathan Guy today confirmed the ACC levy rates for the 2017/18 and 2018/19 years.

“There will be reductions totalling $126.2 million per annum to work and motor vehicle levies, while the earners’ levy will remain unchanged,” says Mr Guy.

“These reductions follow over $2 billion of ACC levy cuts made under this Government since 2012.

“The cuts have been made possible by the improved financial management of ACC under our watch, which has seen significant improvement in the funding position of all the levied accounts.”

Today’s announcement means that:

the average work levy paid by employers and self-employed people will reduce from 80 cents to 72 cents per $100 of liable earnings, a reduction of 10 per cent the average motor vehicle levy, which includes the annual licence levy and petrol levy, will reduce from $130.26 to $113.94, a reduction of 12.5 per cent the petrol levy will reduce from 6.9 cents to 6 cents per litre, a reduction of 13 per cent.

“The Government has decided not to implement ACC’s recommended four cent increase to the earners’ levy, paid by everyone in the paid workforce to cover out-of-work injuries,” says Mr Guy.

“This is because the earners’ account’s current funds are sufficient to meet its liabilities at this point in time.

“Keeping the earners’ levy at the current rate for a further two years means it would not be necessary to reset levy collection systems for what would be a very small increase. This decision is consistent with the principles of financial responsibility set out in the Accident Compensation Act 2001, which require ACC’s accounts to meet lifetime claims costs whilst avoiding large changes in levies.”

Other changes confirmed today include updates to vehicle risk ratings which determine licence levies, based on recent crash data, and a reduction to the annual licence levy for electric vehicles.

“The change to the electric vehicle levy is an interim measure which supports the Government’s programme encouraging people to make the switch to electric vehicles, and allows further work to be done on how the ACC levy system accommodates new vehicle technologies,” says Mr Guy.

Annual licence levies for motorcycles will remain at current levels, but motorcyclists will benefit from the reduced petrol level. The motorcycle safety levy will also remain unchanged.

Under the new biennial approach to levy setting, levy rates announced today will apply for a two year period, with reduced work levies taking effect from 1 April 2017, and reduced motor vehicle levies from 1 July 2017.

“These cuts are further evidence that the ACC scheme is in good financial health, and well placed to meet the ongoing injury-related needs of New Zealanders,” says Mr Guy.

Levy reductions by account

Work Account levies - $69.6 million

Motor Vehicle Account levies - $56.6 million

View Cabinet Paper 2017-18 and 2018-19 ACC Levies here

View Cabinet Minute 2017-18 and 2018-19 ACC Levies here

View Regulatory Impact Statement ACC levies for 2017/18 and 2018/19 here