Primary Sector Discussion Document HAVE YOUR SAY 2019 DISCUSS national.org.nz nznats nznationalparty Printed on 100% recycled paper Contents Introduction from the Leader 2 Introduction from National’s Primary Sector spokesperson 4 Biosecurity and Food Safety 5 Climate Change 8 Education and Workforce 10 Landcorp 12 Research, Science and Innovation 13 Rural Communities 15 Trade 18 Water Storage 20 Key Primary Sectors 21 Dairy 21 Sheep and Beef 22 Forestry 23 Fisheries and Aquaculture 25 Horticulture 26 Racing 28 Questions and feedback 29 2 Primary Sector Introduction from National Party Leader Simon Bridges We’re lucky in New Zealand to have an efficient, basis of this document. This will be the third profitable and productive primary sector as the in our line of discussion documents released backbone of our economy. I know from my time this year after our Environment document and as Minister for Economic Development just how International Affairs document, both of which important the primary sector is to our financial are already receiving great feedback. wellbeing, and that our engine room needs to be looked after for us to prosper as a nation. We realise farmers are worried about what is National is proud to hold all the rural seats in coming down the pipeline from this Government. New Zealand with the exception of one, and is We’ve seen primary sector business confidence committed to supporting our rural communities plummet on the back of this Government’s with sensible, well-informed policy. policies and the uncertainty about what could be around the corner. Employment law reforms, The current Coalition Government didn’t do the climate change and environmental regulations, hard yards when in Opposition and its answer and the transformation of good pastoral to governing appears to be setting up over 260 farmland being swallowed up by the One Billion working groups rather than implementing policy Trees programme. that will support New Zealanders. That’s why National is working hard to gather feedback Farmers and growers are constantly looking for that will inform our policy over the coming years. ways to improve and National is committed to supporting ongoing innovation. Last year we launched the ‘Have Your Say’ brochures, targeted at various sectors in New We want primary producers keeping more of Zealand. We had great feedback to our Rural what they earn, rather than being penalised New Zealand survey and have used that as the with more taxes are excessive regulation. HAVE YOUR SAY 2019 DISCUSS Primary Sector 3 National proudly backs our National welcomes your feedback on these ideas as we put together a forward-looking farmers and growers who plan for the 2020s and beyond. are the engine room of New Zealand’s economy, generating nearly $45b in exports and providing 350,000 jobs. National holds every rural seat Simon Bridges National Party Leader in Parliament except one, and Leader of the Opposition we’re proud to represent rural New Zealand. Back row: Tim van de Molen, Lawrence Yule, Ian McKelvie, Matt King, David Bennett, Matt Doocey. Middle row: Hamish Walker, Sarah Dowie, Parmjeet Parmar, Simon Bridges, Nathan Guy, Todd Muller, Harete Hipango, Scott Simpson. Front row: Jacqui Dean, Barbara Kuriger, Amy Adams, Louise Upston, Maureen Pugh. Travelling: Stuart Smith. HAVE YOUR SAY 2019 DISCUSS 4 Primary Sector I’m incredibly passionate about our primary sector and acknowledge all the amazing people that help produce quality food products that feed 40 million international Introduction from consumers. Nathan Guy Nathan Guy National’s Agriculture Spokesperson National’s Agriculture Spokesperson I proudly backed our farmers and growers as Enjoy reading this document that is designed to the previous Minister for Primary Industries for stimulate discussion and feedback. We want to nearly five years and I continue to back them, ensure that we are match fit, and are ready to as they are the engine room of the New Zealand progress positive reform should we be given the economy. As a farmer I am proud of the growth opportunity to govern. and progress we achieved and am passionate about the future potential of the sector. New Zealand has natural resources that position us as efficient and sustainable producers of food and fibre products. Our hard working innovative farmers are world leading. Demand for our Nathan Guy products is set to grow and our policies are Spokesperson for Agriculture, about allowing New Zealand to make the most Biosecurity and Food Safety of these opportunities. Farmer confidence has plummeted with the Coalition Government’s muddled policies. Its attempt at a Capital Gains Tax, unrealistic agricultural emissions target, contradictory immigration policies and poorly planned One Billion Tree programme have created unnecessary uncertainty. The worst aspect of this Government’s programme is its additional taxes like on fuel and excessive regulation in areas like employment law. I have the privilege of coordinating a very talented rural team of National MPs who have helped shape this discussion document. Because we hold nearly every rural seat we’re proud to represent rural New Zealand. HAVE YOUR SAY 2019 DISCUSS Primary Sector 5 Biosecurity & Food Safety “Biosecurity incursions are becoming too frequent—we need tougher laws, smarter technology and more investment at our borders. This is about protecting the engine room of the economy as well as our unique environment.” Nathan Guy Spokesperson for Biosecurity There is constant pressure on our biosecurity people, a toolbox for tomorrow, smart free- system with 5.5 million passengers arriving every flowing information, effective leadership and year, a growing number of imports (parcels and tomorrow’s skills and assets. cargo), and a warming climate which makes it more difficult to eradicate pests once they arrive in New Zealand. Partnering with Industry National believes in an evidence based It is unfair for the cost of biosecurity to be met approach backed by solid science. This will entirely by farmers and growers when the risk help develop innovative tools to provide more primarily comes from tourists and imported options at the border. Every person in New goods. Zealand has a significant part to play in our biosecurity system, and everyone benefits National believes in a fair approach to cost from it. sharing as illustrated by the Government Industry Agreements (GIA) that we introduced The National Government produced the while in office. Biosecurity 2025 partnership which is enduring and focuses on a biosecurity team of 4.7 million We are concerned the Coalition Government is actively considering overriding these HAVE YOUR SAY 2019 DISCUSS 6 Primary Sector agreements with an EQC type biosecurity levy. National began a review of the National Animal This will mean farmers and groups are levied Identification and Tracing Act (NAIT) and we twice which is completely unfair. support changes that need to be made to ensure NAIT is fit for purpose. It is going to take GIAs allow primary sectors to partner with the a coordinated effort by farmers, truckies, stock Government on preparedness and responses. agents, processors and Government to ensure There are about 20 signatories and they provide NAIT delivers biosecurity and tracing outcomes the long term framework for managing these we can all rely on. biosecurity risks. Mycoplasma Bovis We want your thoughts on the following: National supports the phased eradication of M. Bovis but is concerned about the emotional toll • How can the Government this is taking on those affected. improve on its response to those effected by Mycoplasma Bovis? Despite Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) doing a thorough investigation into how M. Bovis • Do you think it’s fair that GIA arrived in New Zealand, it’s never been able partners have to pay twice with to pinpoint how it got here, and we may the Government actively working never know. on an EQC type Biosecurity levy? The Government’s M. Bovis response has been • How can we get international found wanting. The key problems that need visitors and New Zealanders to addressing are poor communication and slow better appreciate the importance compensation payments. The key to the success of our Biosecurity? Can we of the eradication programme is Government strengthen airline information to working closely with industry and farmers. We passengers with warning videos? need to be particularly responsive to not just the financial aspects, but also the social support that affected farmers need. Increasing Trade and Travel Volume change by per cent 2008 - 2018 +137% +55% +35% Mail Parcels Sea Containers Air Passengers Source: Answers to written Parliamentary questions. HAVE YOUR SAY 2019 DISCUSS Primary Sector 7 Food Safety • National proposes MPI border New Zealand produces enough food to feed officials having the same powers 40 million people. We export to around 140 as Immigration officials to deport countries and have a strong reputation as a any visitor if they have knowingly safe producer of food. concealed biosecurity risk items. Our laws and regulations were strengthened • National proposes importers under the last National Government to help should be liable to be fined protect domestic and international consumers. for knowingly signing false documents (import health Last year we saw a spate of dangerous statements) that contain food contamination offences throughout biosecurity risk material. Australia & New Zealand where offenders were contaminating strawberries with needles. These • National proposes increasing were seen as pranks by those offending but infringements from $400 per were incredibly dangerous to the public. The person to $1000 if a passenger media coverage surrounding these acts led has brought in a biosecurity to more than 100 copycat offences across risk item. the Tasman. The Australian Government acted fast and passed legislation to increase the deterrents on those offending only eight days after the initial case became public.