Description of the New Proposed Strategy
The above strategy relates to the management of the pest known as Paenibacillus larvae larvae (formerly Bacillus larvae), the cause of the disease American foulbrood, which affects bees.
The National Beekeepers' Association of New Zealand Incorporated ("NBA") is the management agency under the current strategy, which will expire on 30 September 2008.
The primary objective of the strategy is to manage American foulbrood to reduce its reported incidence.
The strategy has been in force for more than 5 years and has not been reviewed since its inception.
I will be reviewing the strategy as required under section 88(6) of the Act.
A report assessing the effectiveness of the strategy and suggesting possible amendments is being released for public consultation. The report concludes:
(a) The strategy has failed to achieve its primary objective.
(b) There still appears to be considerable support for the strategy within the beekeeping industry.
(c) Industry needs to assess what would be a realistic objective for the strategy, in light of the level of funding industry is prepared to provide.
(d) Numerous minor changes are proposed, including:
(i) changes to the requirements for recording apiary locations;
(ii) streamlining the process needed to seize and destroy abandoned hives;
(iii) removing the requirement for the management agency to review every Disease Elimination Conformity Agreement each year; and
(iv) reducing the audit requirement imposed on the management agency.
A copy of the proposal may be viewed at
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/strategy-and consultation/consultation/current)
or may be obtained by contacting Holly Foran, Policy
and Risk, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, PO Box 2526, Wellington. Telephone: (04) 894 5687. Email: holly.foran@maf.govt.nz
Result of review
Submissions on the report will be analysed. If there is support from affected persons for continuation of an amended strategy, I propose to recommend to the Governor-General to amend the strategy by Order-in-Council and extend its duration for another 10-year term, in order to enhance the ability of the beekeeping industry to control American foulbrood disease.
Submissions
Any person may make submissions on the proposed strategy in writing to the Minister for Biosecurity, c/o Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, PO Box 2526, Wellington (Attention: Holly Foran). Email: holly.foran@maf.govt.nz
Submissions should reach the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry no later than 5.00pm on Friday, 28 November 2008.
Every submission should state:
(a) those aspects of the proposed strategy that the submission supports; and
(b) those aspects of the proposed strategy that the submission opposes; and
(c) the reasons for the support and opposition identified; and
(d) any specific alternatives to the proposed strategy that the person making the submission wishes to recommend; and
(e) whether the person making the submission wishes to be heard in respect of that submission if a board of inquiry is held.
Dated at Wellington this 22nd day of September 2008.
HON JIM ANDERTON, Minister for Biosecurity.