The commitments made by Signatories are the means for delivering Deed outcomes. Minimum commitments are drawn from the capacity and capability that Signatories contribute to the biosecurity system and are not eligible for cost sharing. They set the foundation of MPI and industry commitment to the partnership, and provide certainty and transparency as to the contribution of each Signatory. They reflect the role that industry organisations play in representing the interests of their members in the GIA.
Signatories acknowledge that the biosecurity capacity of industries is variable. There is, however, an expectation that all Signatories will have, as a minimum, the capacity and capability to participate in Deed governance processes, and to provide the specific resources necessary to achieve the outcomes of this Deed. Specific commitments of MPI and industries will be detailed in Operational Agreements.
3.2.1 Minimum commitments for all Signatories to achieve Deed outcomes include:
a. Maintaining access to technical biosecurity capacity and capability.
b. Maintaining or improving the capacity to recognise and rapidly report the detection of any
unwanted organism.
c. Promoting awareness and use of mechanisms to report changes in New Zealand’s biosecurity
status.
d. Establishing and maintaining mechanisms to communicate between Signatories and with
relevant stakeholders.
e. Securing and maintaining sufficient resources to meet their commitments for the
administration of this Deed including annual meetings, consultation and decision-making.
f. Establishing or accessing the necessary capacity and capability to engage in processes to
implement this Deed, and any Operational Agreements developed.
g. Reporting annually to the governance group on the progress made in readiness and response activities and delivery against minimum commitments.
3.2.2 Minimum MPI commitments to this Deed and its implementation include:
a. Maintaining a core competency to deliver effective response and readiness activities, including
diagnostic and investigation capability, and to negotiate market access.
b. Rapidly notifying potentially affected Signatories when a suspected unwanted organism is
detected in New Zealand.
c. Urgently establishing preliminary response arrangements consistent with Deed requirements
and any Operational Agreements that may be in place, including initiating decision-making,
cost sharing and impact/risk analysis processes.
d. Managing trade and market access issues arising from the detection of the unwanted
organism, and meeting international reporting obligations.
e. Representing the interests of non-Signatories and other stakeholders, including Maori.
f. When a response commences, the Crown will initially fund each industry Signatory's share of the response cost (a "Crown Loan") and seek repayment on terms as agreed pursuant to the relevant Operational Agreement.
3.2.3 Minimum industry Signatory commitments to this Deed and its implementation include:
a. Being aware of the industry biosecurity risk profile and taking measures to manage the
biosecurity risks that industry is best placed to manage.
b. Communicating with industry membership, including Maori, on biosecurity in general to elicit
better biosecurity outcomes.
c. Working with MPI to integrate industry into response delivery programmes and processes.
d. Raising awareness of response procedures and policies.
e. Promoting early reporting of unwanted organisms to MPI.
f. Making available appropriately skilled and committed people to engage in readiness and response activities, including technical and operational experts.
g. Raising awareness within their membership, of the GIA and the commitments that have been
made through this Deed and any Operational Agreement(s).