The Minister for Biosecurity has approved the release of the Pest Management Proposed National Plan of Action 2010 - 2035 for public consultation.

"The Plan of Action proposes the key improvements needed to ensure New Zealand's pest management systems meet needs for the next 25 years," says Andrew Harrison, Manager Pest Management, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand.

"Pest management is a vital part of sustaining New Zealand's natural advantage. The activities of control, eradication and adaptation absorb a significant portion of our collective wealth, with the total cost of pests in New Zealand estimated at $1.87 billion per year.

"Earlier reports commissioned by MAF and regional councils found that while pest management in New Zealand is at the forefront of global best practice, there are still some critical improvements needed to strengthen our arrangements," says Mr Harrison.

MAF has been working closely with regional councils, industry, Maori, the science community and other government departments to design the proposed improvements. These include:
• streamlining and simplifying pest management strategies
• establishing a central "toolbox manager" to ensure that effective and safe pest control tools are available in future
• providing a way to assign lead accountability for a pest issue where this is unclear
• improving role clarity
• a national system for measuring effectiveness of pest management.

"These and other changes are designed to ensure that New Zealand will get better value from its substantive investment in pest management.

"We now want to test these proposals and consider them alongside any new ideas," says Mr Harrison.

A copy of the Pest Management Proposed National Plan of Action 2010 - 2035 is available on the MAF Biosecurity New Zealand website  http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/biosec/consult/pmpn-plan-of-action2010-2035

Submissions close on Monday 19 July. Submissions may be emailed to fopm@maf.govt.nz or posted to Future of Pest Management Consultation, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, PO Box 2526, Wellington 6140.

ENDS