ACT New Zealand called for a snap debate today on the Government’s decision not to eradicate the Varroa Bee Mite.
Owen Jennings, ACT’s spokesman on Rural Affairs, led the hour and a half debate with a stinging attack on the Minister
of Biosecurity, Marion Hobbs, for her failure to make an earlier decision and attempt eradication.
Other parties including the Greens, NZ First, and National all joined ACT in condemning the Government’s decision.
“The Minister dithered for three months knowing she had a finite window of opportunity in which to act. She should have
taken the advice, provisional as it may have been, to have a go at eradication before the end of winter.
“The lack of leadership, and the wishy washy decision making by this Minister, has offended both beekeepers and the
agricultural/horticultural industries who will suffer adverse affects and increased costs due to her inaction”, said
Owen Jennings.
ENDS