Appendix 1: The Government Industry Agreement on Biosecurity Readiness and Response

The Government Industry Agreement on Biosecurity Readiness and Response (GIA) is one of the main parts of the Government's work to improve biosecurity preparedness and strengthen partnerships with industry. It will allow primary industries and the Government to begin joint decision-making and cost-sharing for biosecurity preparedness and response work.

The GIA's objective is more effective and efficient biosecurity by ensuring that primary industries have a greater say and contribute more. It should allow primary industries and the Government to work closely together to make informed decisions about biosecurity preparedness and response work. When it comes to sharing costs and financial contributions, it will also allow the Government and primary industries to consider the balance between what is a public good and what is a private good.

Anticipated outcomes of the GIA include:

• more input from industry into the biosecurity work that directly affects them;
• better prioritising of resources; and
• being better prepared, meaning fewer incursions and more certainty for all parties.

A joint Ministry and primary industries working group produced a GIA draft deed of agreement at the end of 2012. After Cabinet approves the GIA deed of agreement, it will be signed by those primary industry bodies that wish to participate. This will commit signatory parties to the terms of the GIA. Primary producers' opinions on the GIA vary, with some sectors believing the focus is too narrow because it is confined to only one component of the Biosecurity Act. By November 2012, 16 industry bodies had signed a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding. It is planned that the GIA will formally come into effect on 1 July 2013.