An essential agreement to fight the threat of Fruit flies has been renewed and updated by the NZ government and eight of the country’s largest horticulture industry groups. The Fruit Fly Operational Agreement, first signed in May 2016 was the first such agreement under the Government Industry Agreement for Biosecurity Readiness and Response (GIA).
The Agreement sets out the operational requirements for biosecurity readiness and response as well as cost sharing between the Government and affected industries. Its renewal enhances New Zealand’s protection from the threat of fruit flies arriving and as a country is well-prepared in the event that a response is required.
Fruit Fly Council Chair, Matt Dyck: “Renewing the Fruit Fly Operational Agreement illustrates the success of the partnership and will enable Biosecurity New Zealand and the horticulture sector to build on the strong foundations now in place to continue working together to manage and help reduce the impacts of fruit fly on New Zealand.”
The new agreement took effect on 1 September 2022 and has a seven-year term. It sets out the outcomes sought by the parties in reducing the threat of fruit flies to New Zealand, and the roles and responsibilities of each of the signatories.
Source: kvh.org.nz