Aquaculture joins the 23 other industry sectors that have agreed to work with Government, and each other, to deal with pests or pathogens specific to their primary industry sectors. This includes the majority of the horticultural and livestock sectors, representing some $40b of commercial activity across NZ.
Aquaculture became the latest primary sector to take a proactive stance protecting its valuable industry from pests and diseases by joining the GIA biosecurity partnership by signing the GIA Deed on Thursday 19 August 2019.
Aquaculture joins the 23 other industry sectors that have agreed to work with Government, and each other, to deal with pests or pathogens specific to their primary industry sectors. This includes the majority of the horticultural and livestock sectors, representing some $40b of commercial activity across NZ.
Bruce Hearn, Aquaculture NZ’s Chair, welcomed the signing as a positive step for the industry saying ‘our pristine environment and innovative people combine to make NZ one of the world’s great aquaculture producers, renowned for some of the highest quality seafood products available. It is critical we take all possible steps to protect this unique advantage, and joining GIA furthers this goal by ensuring aquaculture producers have an important seat around the table when decisions are being made on biosecurity issues.
“By working together we will give ourselves the best opportunity to deliver better biosecurity outcomes”, said Mr. Hearn. “The aquaculture industry employs over 3,000 people in New Zealand and generates well over $600m in domestic and international sales and, as such, it is vital we do everything we can to protect the livelihood of our members:.
GIA’s Deed Governance Group Chair, Jen Scoular, welcomed the arrival of Aquaculture NZ into the GIA partnership, saying it will be a significant addition.
“It’s really important to have such a key sector represented in GIA” she said. “We now have every major primary industry group sitting around the decision-making table with Government and the GIA partnership is truly representative of the primary sector. This will allow for better industry skills and information sharing and a coordinated approach to biosecurity.
“GIA provides a unique forum where the Crown and the broad range of primary sector industries can work together to deliver better biosecurity. We look forward to working in partnership together to deliver better biosecurity,” Ms Scoular said.