National will strengthen biosecurity defences

National Party leader Don Brash says a National Government will increase instant fines and deport non-residents who try to import biosecurity threats.

Dr Brash was announcing National’s biosecurity policy today at the National Fieldays at Mystery Creek.

“It became clear during the foot-and-mouth scare earlier this year just how vulnerable our economy is to biosecurity threats – and that there is much more we can do to protect our agriculture and horticulture industries.

“Under National, non-residents who deliberately flout our laws will be turned around and sent back to where they came from.

“There are too many holes in the present systems, and we are confident that the changes we will be making will plug those holes.”

Dr Brash says National will also:

Ensure pest management strategies are developed and adhered to.

Increase surveillance, with greater emphasis on marine biosecurity.

Introduce a biosecurity emergency response capability.

Ensure container inspection methods use the latest technology.

Ensure the biosecurity structure is monitored regularly and is capable of adapting as new threats arise.

“Labour has been unwilling to acknowledge that there is a problem and to give biosecurity the priority it deserves. National will put that right,” Dr Brash says.

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