31 Aug 2012

Ministry reports progress on biosecurity processes

1:33 pm on 31 August 2012

The Ministry for Primary Industries says it's making good progress in changing the way it works to better identify and manage biosecurity risks at New Zealand's border.

In February, Director-General Wayne McNee commissioned an independent review on import requirements and border processes associated with the importation of kiwifruit plant material, in light of the bacterial disease PSA being found in Bay of Plenty orchards.

He says the review made six recommendations and identified 16 tasks the Ministry should undertake to improve its systems.

Mr McNee says 10 of the tasks have been completed and four partially finished.

He says the other two, which involve the creation of IT tools so that information can be shared with other Government agencies, will take longer.