Monthly Bulletin

November 2024

This semi-regular update from the GIA Secretariat is intended to provide a general overview of the key matters considered by GIA governance bodies in the preceding month. It is not intended to communicate formal decisions by any of the parties, nor everything that happens within GIA. If there are any questions, or further information is required please contact steve.rich@gia.org.nz

FMDOA Development Group: 1 & 19 November

The seven GIA Partners developing an Operational Agreement for Foot and Mouth Disease met twice throughout October, to progress the variable elements of that operational agreement.
At this stage, finalisation of negotiations in the 2024 calendar year is anticipated.

Deed Governance Group (DGG): 5 November

The meeting was held in Nelson and included an informal dinner, along with a visit to the Cawthron Aquaculture Park and briefing on Aquaculture NZ’s A+ Biosecurity Programme.

Key matters discussed were as follows:

The Biosecurity Act review, with discussions around cost recovery, structure, and impact on non-signatory beneficiaries. The collective role of partners in providing submissions, along with the GIA Secretariat, was also discussed.
The development of a Biosecurity System Strategy, with a shift to a more action-oriented plan being presented by MPI.
Operational Agreement Council Chairs provided updates on key work areas (BMSB Council, Xylella Action Group, Plant Pass, Fruit Fly Council, Lepidoptera Working Group, Traceability OA Development Group, and Solanaceae Biosecurity Working Group).
The value of cross-sector biosecurity site visits and future opportunities.
DGG meets again on 3 April 2025.

Livestock Sector Biosecurity Council (LSBC): 7 November

Key matters discussed were as follows:

Next steps for the system strategy work being led by MPI.
The review of the Biosecurity Act and options under public consultation.
Reporting on Industry-led elements of the FMD Preparedness Work Programme
Future governance options for the GIA Livestock sector groups.
LSBC is expected to meet again in March 2025.

GIA Operations Limited (GOL) Board and Annual Shareholders Meeting: 13 November

The Annual meeting of the Board was held alongside the annual meeting of the GOL Shareholders. Key matters considered were:

Dave Harrison was reappointed as a director, and Carol Barnao appointed as a fifth director.
Companies Act requirements in relation to GOL meeting co-operative company obligations, audit appointment, annual report requirements, and financial reporting requirements.
The Board approved the company renewing the Company’s D&O liability insurance.

Response Funding Workshop: 15 November

GIA parties met this month to undertake a deep dive into the Onside proposal, having previously determined that of the proposals received from third party providers, this was the better proposition. Parties were of the view that the functionality of the traceability tool proposed by Onside met the requirements of the RFP, noting the ability to customise matters sector by sector. Affordability however remains an issue, in particulate in the current economic climate among GIA parties, and further work is planned to tease this out and secure a sustainable pricing model.
Onside personnel attended part of the meeting noting they were keen to continue work with GIA partners, recommending the next step on from the RFP process is a “discovery” process to test and refine our needs, tool features and ensuing pricing. A workshop will be scheduled for February.
The Secretariat will further discussion among GIA Parties and with Onside in advance of a Party check-in meeting on 4 December.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Council (BMSBC): 18 November

The Council discussed the progress on its current programme of work including projects on chemicals, public awareness, long-term management, surveillance and social licence.
The Council noted a recent trip by Council members to Chile as part of its evolving relationship with Chilean authorities.
A report back was received from Dr David Teulon on a recent visit to the United States to explore, amongst other things, its experience with BMSB - as part of research into the reasons why BMSB has not established in NZ.
A discussion was held on the future of work in relation to the rearing of Samurai wasps on alternative hosts.
The preliminary work programme for the 25/26 FY was also discussed.
The next BMSB Council meeting will be held in March 2025.

Plant Biosecurity Council (PBC): 25 November

NZFOA’s biosecurity trials in Spain and collaboration with opportunities Australia.
Scoping the proposed Social Licence Project to be presented to B3.
Review of the Biosecurity Act, covering areas of consensus and divergence of views, including long-term pest management, cost recovery, ministerial call-in powers, cost shares, compensation, import health standards, and streamlining transition to long term management.
Progress with the Foot and Mouth Disease Operational Agreement.
MPI’s Emerging Risk work stream - covering fruit flies, Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, and Tomato brown rugose fruit virus, with some discussion on science community involvement and how to access industry intelligence.
The status of the NBCN and MPI’s Response Services Panel.
Updates from various OA councils and working groups, including Fruit Fly, BMSB, Xylella, and Lepidoptera, as well as progress on traceability and pollination services OAs.

Solanaceae Biosecurity Working Group (SBWG): 26 November

The Solanaceous Readiness Operational Agreement was confirmed to be extended to cover generic solanaceous pests.
The group discussed lessons learned from the recent tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) response and the follow up actions for the Working Group to take.
Other topics that the group discussed were related to work programme formation, communication materials stocktake and the progress of the General Operational Specifications Plan.
The next Solanaceous Biosecurity Working Group meeting will be held in February/March 2025.

Fruit Fly Council (FFC): 27 November

Council discussed the progress on its current programme of work including projects on surveillance, lessons learned workshop, ‘Other Flies’ classification, domestic movement control and fruit fly impact on New Zealand indigenous plants.
Council met with Biosecurity NZ’s and discussed the new response services contract.
Council met with Biosecurity Tasmania for an update on its Fruit Fly management work. The considerable synergies between NZ and Tasmania were noted, with Council keen to follow up on future engagement opportunities.
The preliminary work programme for the 25/26 FY was discussed which includes a strategy review, further collaborative work with Tasmania, and workforce planning.
The next Fruit Fly Council meeting will be held on 10 March 2025.

Lepidoptera Working Group: 28 November

Progress through this year’s workplan and projects was reviewed.
- Stocktake of diagnostic capability – draft report tabled for review and feedback.
- Surveillance status and forward options – draft report near-ready for review and feedback.
- Readiness and response plans/products across the five Pest injury Guild groupings – project delayed owing to resource constraints, will be accelerated in the new year
- Communications and engagement plan – underway.'
- A plan for how MPI can secure BtK stock, aircraft and ensure regulatory readiness for flying and spraying – continues in development.
The scheduled review of the Lepidoptera Readiness OA was commenced.
Other matters discussed and/or advanced include:

Option for securing technical advice for the group with a preference for establishing a technical lead role.
The possibility of utilising the PIBC methodology through the 2025/26 year to review beneficiaries.
An update on a European project to develop digital technologies for early detection of forest pests, monitoring their occurrence, and providing data to manage their spread effectively.
NZFOA and TMBC developing proposal for a sentinel trees project.