Roy Eric: Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
Roy Eric: Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
[Volume:642;Page:12160] 
ERIC ROY (National—Invercargill) 
: 
 I will also take a short call on the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Amendment Bill. There is actually not a lot to say because we are all pretty much in agreement on the bill. We have had an opportunity to comment through its first and second readings and its Committee stage so I think we have just about exhausted the material. But I will make a comment firstly about the Primary Production Committee. The previous speaker Moana Mackey made the comment that the select committee works for the good of New Zealand and of the agricultural sector. That is true. There is a general level of bonhomie within the select committee and of listening to one another. The select committee is a very enjoyable one to be on but if we are in such good humour in the select committee I do not know why when we get into the Chamber we have to have a flick at each other. 
Moana Mackey 
: He started it. 
ERIC ROY 
: I do not care who started it; it just does not really square with the way in which we say we work so collegially together. 
This is important legislation. It embodies a whole lot of things that are quite crucial for the New Zealand agricultural and primary production sector which is the leading export earner for New Zealand. That is why it is so important. The aspect is not only that there has to be safety; the perception of safety around the products we use is as important as that. It does not matter whether we comply to the letter with Codex Alimentarius if the consumer on the other side of the world has the slightest doubt about the solidity and robustness of the process. If there is any question about that the consumer just turns off the product. It is important not only that we have a good legislative framework but also that our farmers and those involved in primary production comply with it so we have absolute assurance of our products. 
That ranges across traditional and organic farming and all of the compounds that are used in various ways whether they be biocontrols chemicals fertilisers pesticides or animal health products: vaccinations antibiotics or whatever else they may be. There are many hundreds of thousands of products in reality. We need to be able to have some assurance. At the same time we need to have a process whereby new products can be introduced because pests and diseases build up resistance and we need development in the area of fertilisers and animal health products. There has to be a clear trail whereby those things can come in and go through the process without having a serious impact on the cost of compliance yet we have a safety assurance. This is really quite complex legislation. It is an amendment to quite a layered process that has gone on over the years whereby we can give that assurance. 
I support the legislation. I think most of the comments have been picked up by others. There is general agreement not only amongst the select committee but also as has been pointed out with the submitters on the bill. I look forward to this bill being passed. It is another step on the way to New Zealand performing as well as and largely outperforming the rest of the world.