New Zealand’s $700 million pipfruit industry says it will have greater confidence in the country’s biosecurity system now that it will play an influencing role in helping to manage and govern biosecurity and risk.

Pipfruit New Zealand’s chief executive Alan Pollard said growers have welcomed the Government Industry Agreement for Readiness and Response (GIA) and supported the partnership with Government.

Mr Pollard, who today signed the Fruit Fly Operational Agreement under GIA on behalf of apple and pear growers, said industry and Government now had a successful template to follow for other biosecurity risks including the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug which would devastate New Zealand’s pipfruit sector if it ever got into New Zealand.

“We are making it a priority to do all we can to protect growers’ livelihoods and New Zealand’s horticultural industry from our worst enemies,” he said.

“The Fruit Fly incursion tested how industry can work together with Government to give greater protection to our borders, and under GIA we have an opportunity to ensure that everything is being done to keep those pests out,” Mr Pollard said.