Media statement Thursday, November 6th 2003
Security cost hike shows up Government's ad hoc policy silos
Though higher security costs were bound to hit our international trade, the Employers and Manufacturers Association
(Northern) questions the logic of Customs Minister Rick Barker in making exporters pay them.
"Exporters appreciate the efforts being made by the Customs Department to ensure our $4.2 billion trade to the US does
not fall foul of US security requirements, said Bruce Goldsworthy Manager of EMA's Manufacturing Services.
"But the Customs Minister's justification for charging exporters the extra costs shows Government has no integrated
policy for business.
"The initiatives under development are a uniquely New Zealand solution requiring the cooperation of industry and
exporters to reassure US Border officials that our products do not need further inspections at their border.
"The new procedures will inevitably add costs which would no doubt be far higher if we did nothing and our goods were
held up for days or weeks at the US border.
"The Minister Rick Barker's assumptions that the extra costs are not large compared to the value of the trade at stake
shows ministers are working in their own policy silos out of touch with the business their costs impact on and with each
other.
"Every Government Minister seems to think they can add extra costs to business whenever their department's face a budget
constraint.
"This latest example shows Government policy making for business is splintered and ad hoc.
"The extra costs should be funded from the consolidated fund."
ENDS