Joint Communiqué
7 December 2023, Auckland, New Zealand
On 7 December 2023, delegates from New Zealand and Australia met at Auckland MPI Centre for the 19th ANZBC annual event co-chaired by the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) Deputy Director-General Stuart Anderson and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s (DAFF) Deputy Secretary Chris Locke. The co-chairs of the ANZBC welcomed the continued strong partnership between the two agencies and emphasised the criticality of aligning the mechanisms required to fortify and integrate both countries’ biosecurity systems to ensure the sustainability of trans-Tasman trade and travel.
Participants at the ANZBC deliberated on topics pertinent to bilateral cooperation, and both countries acknowledged the present and upcoming biosecurity challenges that are of mutual concern and pertain to areas of shared interest.
A collective commitment was reached to enhance the cohesiveness of biosecurity border control measures and the allocation of additional and strategic funds towards the development of border technology and data infrastructure that enable increased cooperation. Both New Zealand and Australia emphasised the importance of adopting a holistic approach to facilitate a seamless travel experience between the two nations.
Representatives from DAFF and MPI provided an update on the biosecurity strategies of their respective nations. Australia described its experience in developing an action plan for the implementation of its National Biosecurity Strategy and the subsequent implementation of its work plan. For DAFF, the success of this endeavour was made possible by extensive collaboration with a diverse array of system stakeholders, which contributed to the creation of its current strategy that reflects the needs and expectations of its citizens. MPI described its on-going efforts to date in creating a refreshed New Zealand Biosecurity Strategy that harmonises the goals of primaries industry sector, environmental protection, and Māori. It emphasised the extensive period of stakeholder consultation that aided in the formulation of the strategy and that a pragmatic implementation plan with key deliverables is presently being formulated in collaboration with industry and other interested parties.
A further topic of discussion at the meeting was how the two nations can work together in maintaining a consistent level of preparedness and awareness in the event of an incursion of High Pathogenic Avian Influenza. The two nations will continue to collaborate and share new intelligence data in order to ensure a high level of preparedness for any potential incursions.
The Technical Working Groups (TWGs) presented the following as their key deliverables and outcomes of collaboration throughout the year:
Operations TWG – highlighted the importance of working collectively on operational issues and both parties to continue to explore opportunities towards an integrated system through technological advancements at the border.
Plant TWG – acknowledged the good collaboration and reported its key priorities throughout the year with greater focus on system alignment work to increase confidence towards a consistent approach to facilitate trade between both nations.
Animal TWG – recognised the advantages of establishing bilateral zoning agreements and expressed a mutual interest in exploring opportunities for collaboration in risk assessment for animal pests and diseases.
During the first day of the event, the Executive Director and a selection of members of the NZ Biosecurity Business Pledge shared with ANZBC their experiences the accomplishments, and significant events of the programme. In the same day, the representatives of both agencies visited the Biosecurity New Zealand Detector Dog facility and the construction site for the New Zealand Post Distribution Centre.
The year 2023 marks an important milestone in the relationship between Australia and New Zealand: the formal signature of the Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement, which was established four decades ago. In pursuit of a brighter future, both nations continue to strengthen their close connections.
Australia will host the 20th ANZBC meeting in 2024.