27 September 2012

Uneasy trade-off between passenger convenience and biosecurity

The Public Service Association says revamped border protection services puts passenger convenience ahead of robust biosecurity.

Border services are being overhauled which will see increased co-operation between border and biosecurity agencies, with the perceived aim of streamlining passenger arrivals.

PSA National Secretary Richard Wagstaff says an uneasy trade-off is being made.

"In relying more on unproven systems linked to technology to assess passenger risk and fast-tracking passenger screening, more emphasis is being put on easing travel for passengers than protecting our border from biosecurity threats."

"This is an issue which border staff have been telling us and warning us about. There is a strong belief, shared by Horticulture New Zealand, that all passengers and luggage should be directly screened. It only takes one exotic pest to get through to cause disruption to agricultural systems and export markets as we saw earlier this year with the Queensland fruit fly,” he says.

There are also some clear warning signs about the future of our border services within the government's plan.

The documents show that the Ministry for Primary Industries wants to identify further opportunities to outsource tasks and reduce the costs of border clearance in the next five years.

Mr Wagstaff says "more privatisation will result in the loss of more frontline positions at airports and seaports around the country – further removing biosecurity expertise from where it is most needed."

Border security services have undergone a lot of change and are already streched due to what is considered to be a sinking lid policy on frontline jobs. The hiring of new staff recently only takes staffing back to where it was four years ago.

"It would be irresponsible for the government to continue to rundown our border security and put our exports or primary production at risk. There is a lot at stake," he adds.

ENDS

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