Representatives from more than eighteen industry groups discussed issues around the development of Government Industry Agreements on biosecurity, the progress of the operational agreements for GIA signatories, ongoing funding for border protection and the role of HortNZ under GIA.

The forum also discussed HortNZ’s work on the Natural Resources and Environment portfolio and the development of a new tool to help HortNZ prioritise its work in this area.

In addition, Andrew Curtis from Irrigation New Zealand gave an update on his group’s activities, while Marie Dawkins from Summerfruit NZ talked about running successful industry conferences and Jerf van Beek from HortNZ reported back on the Recognised Seasonal Employer conference held in Samoa last month.