The levy, to help pay for increased biosecurity checks at the border, was recently announced by the Government.

“The horticulture industry commends the Government for taking this courageous step to introduce the levy, and set fees to provide sustainable funding for border services,” HortNZ president, Julian Raine, said. “Passengers need to take some of the responsibility for protecting our primary industries, home gardens and our native species. Every passenger entering this country presents a risk. We must have systems in place to process and check that risk.”

Raine added, “HortNZ will continue to work constructively with air and cruise lines, as well as the Ministry for Primary Industries, to help improve both passenger compliance and consequently passenger experience. Given our industry’s biosecurity expertise we can bring some value to the discussion about border compliance. However, protecting our agriculture, horticulture and viticulture, and New Zealand’s unique natural flora and fauna - which forms a key part of the tourism experience - must be our first consideration.”