The achievement and maintenance of a disease free status for New Zealand animals and plants must be accored the highest priority by the GOvernment and regulatory agencies in order to protect public health and export markets. The introduction of threatening exotic diseases must be prevented, and existing endemic and any new diseases kept at levels acceptable to our trading partners. The Government must focus on maintaining a low level of risk to the integrity of weed and disease status of New Zealand's land and animal production. The Government must provide sufficient resources to enforce the relevant laws.

Exotic diseases and pests

Regulatory agencies must have:

Resources to provide inspection services at all points of disembarkation in New Zealand;

Access to and right of confiscation of any suspect disease- carrying goods;

Facilities to meet all Quarantine requirements;
The capability to handle emergency outbreaks of exotic diseases.

New Zealand should not be used for quarantine of animals bound for re-export.