Import News from the Importers Institute
6 January 2000 - Border Control Review Suspended
The Government has suspended work on the review of border control. The review recommended the amalgamation of Customs
with MAF Quarantine Services. However, this recommendation differs from Labour's policy, which is to "keep a separate
agency with a biosecurity focus rather than merging all border-related agencies."
Sir Ron Carter, Rick Christie and Dr Peter O'Hara carried out the border review during 1999. The team consulted widely
and received 171 submissions from interested parties. The Importers Institute made two submissions and attended three
meetings in Wellington and Auckland.
Labour's policy (unlike the review) was not developed in consultation with users of border services. Like the recent
decision to stop beech logging, it appears to favour preservationists, against professional and scientific advice.
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