Insect pests and fungal diseases cost the New Zealand forest industry millions of dollars each year, mainly as a consequence of reduced productivity, but also as costs associated with ensuring safe trade.
Insect incursions also cost the New Zealand taxpayer millions of dollars for eradication or control programmes, as every effort is made to ensure our native, urban, and plantation forests remain as healthy as possible.
The NZ Forest Owners Association recognises the importance of effective biosecurity management to protect the industry’s forests and trade. The FOA Forest Biosecurity Committee is responsible for the Forest Health Surveillence Programme, promotes policies to improve biosecurity, identifies and provides funding for forest health issues and liaises with the Dothistroma Control Committee. It oversees issues such as forest health surveillence, forest health/biosecurity, border control procedures, and overseas import requirements.
The Forest Biosecurity Research Strategy is for FOA members in the first instance and provides guidance on key biosecurity issues. The strategy also provides a unified voice for the industry to communicate research priorities to funding agencies and research providers in order to have greater influence on R&D investment and capability retention and development in New Zealand.
Government Industry Agreement for Biosecurity Readiness and Response
In September 2009 the Government announced a range of measures to boost biosecurity readiness and strengthen partnerships with industry. One of the key components of the package was the ability for primary industries and government to embark on joint decision-making and cost-sharing agreements for biosecurity preparedness and response activities – the Government Industry Agreement (GIA). Visit the GIA website for full details.
