Biosecurity is the protection of our environment, economy and society from the threats posed by introduced plants, animals and diseases.
Introduced species have caused havoc in the New Zealand environment since mammalian predators were brought herewith the first arrival of people. A huge range of pests, weeds and diseases now threaten the survival of our unique native species. Many more alien invaders arrive at our borders with travelers and in imported goods.
Some are brought here intentionally; others are just hitching a ride.
Our border control and quarantine systems detect some of those invaders – snakes, cane toads, poisonous spiders and disease-carrying mosquitoes have all been picked up during quarantine inspections. But others cross our borders undetected and can spread rapidly.
Forest & Bird plays a vital role in advocating for the control of pests and weeds for the benefit of our native biodiversity. Many of our branches are also involved in hands-on control programmes to protect habitats and species that are threatened by alien invaders. Forest & Bird lobbies for increased standards in border control and supports decisive action being taken to eradicate unwanted invasive species that are discovered in New Zealand.
New Zealand's quarantine and border control systems are our first line of defence against alien invaders. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is responsible for protecting our borders from invasive species that could enter the country. Increased trade and international travel have put huge strain on our border control.
Interceptions and incursions of pests at and across our borders have included snakes, scorpions, Asian tiger mosquito, yellow fever mosquito, cane toads, varroa bee mite, black widow spiders and jumping redback spiders.
Forest & Bird lobbies the government for improved standards of border control and effective responses to new incursions of unwanted species.
In 2000, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) carried out a comprehensive review of New Zealand Biosecurity. Their report is available from the PCE website www.pce.govt.nz (under 'new organisms' in the reports section).
Biosecurity Strategy
The Government released its Biosecurity Strategy in August 2003. The strategy aims to improve the protection of New Zealand’s environment, economy and health from new pests and diseases. Forest & Bird was actively involved in the development of the strategy.
Some significant gains were achieved in the strategy and associated Sea Container Review:
All sea containers will now be inspected
The biosecurity system will put a stronger emphasis on conservation
There is increased funding for biosecurity
The biosecurity system is being strengthened.
See Forest & Bird's submission on the Strategy (PDF)
What you can do to help protect NZ from pests and diseases
