GIA consultation process

NZPPI is starting a consultation process with plant producers about the future of biosecurity in our sector.

We are wanting to determine if there is support from our sector to become part of the network of primary industry organisations that invest in biosecurity through the Government Industry Agreement on biosecurity (GIA).

GIA is a partnership between Government and the primary sector to prepare for and respond to biosecurity risks.   Plant producers are currently not part of the GIA partnership. 

Why now?

Plant producers looked at GIA a few years ago and decided that the time wasn’t right to sign the agreement.  At that time GIA was in its early stages and few primary sectors had joined.  

GIA looks very different now with most of the primary sectors having signed.  These sectors are actively working with the Government and investing in the development of the future biosecurity system in New Zealand.  As a non-signatory sector, plant producers are not part of this decision-making group.

What is NZPPI going to do?

Over the coming weeks NZPPI will present information about GIA, explaining how the process works and the pros and cons of our sector being a GIA signatory. 
We want to give plant producers the best opportunity to understand GIA and what the future will look like either inside, or outside the GIA community.
We are also wanting to look at the best fit model for GIA that provides the highest level of biosecurity protection and deals with the complexity and diversity of our sector.

Finally, we are wanting to determine the level of support from plant producers to join GIA.  

How will NZPPI consult?

We will communicate with you through our newsletters, website, conference and events.   We will also hold workshops and meetings throughout the country.    

We will seek feedback about the issues and opportunities which we will use to consider the best options for GIA in our sector.      

Our intention is to complete the consultation process by October 2018 and present a proposal to the industry shortly after that. 
If there is support from the industry, then NZPPI intends to present a GIA application to Government by the end of 2018.  
A detailed timetable of this consultation and decision-making process will be released shortly. 

In the meantime, please get in touch with us with any questions, or your views on GIA in our sector.

NZPPI intends to engage all plant producers in this consultation process, including both NZPPI members and non-members.  Our vision is for a united sector that has influence in critical areas such as biosecurity. 

Some facts about plant producers and GIA

• With a value of over $500 million/year, the nursery sector is the 4th largest horticulture sector.  We are by far the largest non-signatory sector.
  
• Many nurseries are part of sectors that are in GIA (e.g. summerfruit, kiwifruit, vegetables) however, nursery production is not included in their agreements. 
  
• The GIA partners are encouraging the nursery sector to join GIA as a united sector to strengthen biosecurity across the supply chain.
  
• GIA partners have a say in what the Government does in a biosecurity response, including the ability to recommend actions and costs on non-signatory sectors. 
  
• NZPPI has been invited to participate in several GIA groups, recognising the importance of nurseries in biosecurity.   Our status in these groups is ‘observer’ which means that we have no voting rights.
  
• The Government will not cover the cost of its biosecurity responses in the same way that it has in the past.  In the future non signatory sectors may be billed for a significant portion of the cost of a biosecurity response, whereas GIA partners liability is restricted.