Border clearance levy welcomed

Border clearance levy welcomed

25 May 2015

Beef + Lamb New Zealand and the Meat Industry Association are welcoming a border clearance levy, signalled in the Budget 2015 announcement by the Government.

From the start of next year, passengers coming in and out of New Zealand will pay around $16 (inwards) and $6 (outwards) for those departing New Zealand.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand Chief Executive, Dr Scott Champion said this was an action the organisation had been asking government to consider for some time and so it was good to see some form of user pays applied to those who pose a potential biosecurity risk to New Zealand’s agriculture sector.

“Given agriculture’s contribution to the New Zealand economy and our reliance on a strong sector, it’s sensible to see this focus on ensuring border processes stay fit for purpose.

“This is simply a matter of those who are posing risks to New Zealand’s economy paying for the mitigation of those risks,” Dr Champion said.

Meat Industry Association Chief Executive, Tim Ritchie said this levy was just one part of a wider biosecurity system.

“The red meat sector already contributes a lot to managing the risks of pests and diseases - it is only fair that international travellers who are a major biosecurity risk to the New Zealand economy, also make a contribution.”

“Biosecurity is fundamental to the red meat sector and the New Zealand economy, so it is pleasing to see that the levy will be dedicated to future-proofing the biosecurity system”, Mr Ritchie said.

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