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Biosecurity Minister David Carter says Horticulture New Zealand’s claim that New Zealand’s border protection has been significantly reduced because of the Rugby World Cup is rubbish.

“It’s ridiculous to suggest that New Zealand would relax its biosecurity safeguards as thousands of visitors pour into the country. Horticulture New Zealand is being alarmist about a screening process that has been in place at our airports for some time.

I would like to acknowledge local iwi for your warm welcome. I would also like to thank Craig Davey for inviting me to speak at your conference.

Thank you for your contribution to biosecurity in this country – your Institute does an important job. Of my four portfolios, biosecurity is the most critical. It is paramount in determining New Zealand’s economic well-being.

Customs Minister Maurice Williamson and Biosecurity Minister David Carter today welcomed the signing of a contract to develop a new border processing and management system.

New Zealand Customs, with MAF, has signed the contract which formally kicks off the development of a joint border management system (JBMS). The new system combines Customs’ and MAF’s existing independent systems, Cusmod and Quantum.

Mr Williamson said the new system would bring very sophisticated technology to the New Zealand’s border.

Biosecurity Minister David Carter has reiterated the Government’s commitment to Government Industry Agreements (GIA) in a round of meetings with leading industry representatives this week.

Mr Carter says strengthened partnerships between industry and government will lead to better results in dealing with incursions of pests and diseases.

“In discussion with industry, the Government has agreed to meet a minimum cost share of 50% for priority readiness and response programmes,” says Mr Carter.

Biosecurity Minister David Carter says biosecurity protection for farmers and growers is further strengthened with the official launch today of FarmsOnLine, a comprehensive database of rural properties.

Farm location, ownership and land use registered in the data service means the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry can rapidly respond in the event of a biosecurity emergency or natural disaster.

Agriculture and Forestry Minister David Carter has welcomed the plan to merge the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry with the Ministry of Fisheries.

Good evening and bonsoir ladies and gentlemen.

I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome you, Your Excellency, Mr Francis Etienne and wife Jane to New Zealand.

I thank you also Your Excellency and Dr Richard Wild, president of the New Zealand Veterinary Association, for hosting this evening’s event.

As Minister of Agriculture I am responsible for animal health and welfare, so I am very pleased to welcome guests to the New Zealand launch of World Veterinary Year.

New Zealand has a strong and long connection with France.

Biosecurity Minister David Carter tonight welcomed the unanimous support of Parliament for the first reading of the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) Bill.

The bill sets out the legal framework for the collection of information on livestock, their location and movement history throughout their lifetime.  It also outlines governance arrangements and powers for the NAIT organisation.

Mr Speaker, I move that the National Animal Identification and Tracing Bill be now read a first time. 

At the appropriate time, I intend to move that the Bill be considered by the Primary Production Select Committee.
Mr Speaker, New Zealand has a highly effective biosecurity system to manage the risks posed by harmful organisms, including the risks to our very important livestock industries. 

A bill proposing the most significant changes to the Biosecurity Act in more than a decade passed its first reading in Parliament last night and was sent to select committee.

The Biosecurity Law Reform Bill includes a wide range of amendments to the Act, along with related amendments to four other Acts.

“New Zealand has developed a highly effective biosecurity system which is recognised as world-leading, but the Act has not kept pace with the way the system has had to evolve,” Biosecurity Minister David Carter said in introducing the bill.

Biosecurity Minister David Carter has tonight welcomed strong support from kiwifruit growers for a government/industry plan to fight Psa disease.

Good morning. Can I firstly acknowledge Federated Farmers' President Don Nicolson, Vice-president Donald Aubrey, National Council members and CEO Conor English.

The Government has announced it is committing $25 million, subject to a dollar-for-dollar match from the kiwifruit industry, to fund an urgent aggressive containment strategy to fight Psa disease.<

Confirmation this morning that Psa disease has spread outside of the Te Puke area is a blow and shows how fast-changing the situation is, says Biosecurity Minister David Carter.

A programme of ‘aggressive containment' is the immediate action in the battle against Psa disease in the Bay of Plenty, says Biosecurity Minister David Carter.

Biosecurity Minister David Carter says the number of orchards confirmed as having the kiwifruit vine disease Psa remains at three, with one orchard returning a negative result and one other waiting

Biosecurity Minister David Carter says tests have now confirmed that the kiwifruit vine disease Psa is on three orchards in the Te Puke area, and a further two orchards have been placed in quaranti

Mr Speaker, I wish to make a ministerial statement under Standing Order 347 to inform the House of a matter of significant public importance, in relation to the detection of the kiwifruit vine dise

Biosecurity Minister David Carter is reassuring kiwifruit growers that the Government is treating a newly discovered vine infection on a North Island kiwifruit orchard very seriously, and is making

Five new appointments have been made to the committee which oversees the performance of New Zealand's biosecurity system, Biosecurity Minister David Carter announced today.

A bill intended to clarify funding of international traveller processing services at new and restarting international airports has passed its first reading in Parliament.

Good morning, thank you for inviting me to speak to you this morning.

Good morning everyone.

Health Minister Tony Ryall and Biosecurity Minister David Carter say officials have today declared New Zealand free of the Southern Saltmarsh Mosquito, the first country in the world to wipe out th