Whaitiri MekaHon MEKA WHAITIRI (Minister of Customs): Mr Speaker thank you very much. I'm pleased to take a call on the Biosecurity (Information for Incoming Passengers) Amendment Bill and may I congratulate the sponsor of the bill the member for Whanganui Steph Lewis in getting this bill drawn but also in her acknowledgment of the former author of the bill our own colleague the Hon Kiritapu Allan. Farmers and growers around the country will understand the significance of this bill as we do on this side. This is about protecting the food and fibre sector of this nation the backbone of this economy and it's a no-brainer that we are now seeing a bill come to this House to do the very thing that informs all passengers—all passengers; all visitors to this nation whether it's by airplanes or whether it's by boat—that we have standards here around protecting our biosecurity. So I commend the member for bringing this bill and for us debating it on the floor tonight. The bill that we are debating tonight amends the Biosecurity Act 1993 and clause 4 inserts a new section 17AA. In that clause it talks about crafts en route to New Zealand territory from … outside New Zealand territory on a flight or voyage that is intended to include arrival in New Zealand." and on those vessels there will be played a video and information to inform all visitors of our expectations to not bring any pest or food that can impact on our biosecurity system. That's why this is a very sound bill and that's why this side of the House and I'm hoping—and I'm yet to hear from the National Opposition because we didn't get that from the initial speaker as to where they sit. They purport to be supporters of farmers and growers and that is what this bill is doing. It is a no-brainer. It is adding another layer of protection to a very very important part of our economy and that is why I'm standing in support of this bill. The videos and the information have to be approved by the Director-General of the Ministry for Primary Industries and it will need to be gazetted so this is what this bill is intending to do. It is actually making it mandatory or compulsory for all vessels coming into this country to be informed of our expectations and the importance of our primary - based economy here in New Zealand. I think it is a common-sense bill. It is a common-sense bill that acknowledges the importance of our primary industry sector and the value it has to the economy. Just by way of example in the latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI) report that was just released at Fieldays last week it says that in June 2021 the value of our food and fibre sector to this nation was $47.5 billion. That's what is at risk and this is what this bill is intending to protect. That $47.5 billion as per the SOPI—it's called the SOPI—report will grow to $49.1 billion in 2022. We are protecting a critical part of our economy the primary industry—the food and fibres—with this bill. It's an absolute no-brainer and I'm hoping that those that take calls—particularly the Opposition—calm down look at the bill as I have and as we have and see how practical it is around ensuring all visitors to this nation adhere to the rules and regulations to protect our biosecurity in this nation and therefore our food and fibre sector. Again I stand in complete support of this bill. It makes sense and there won't be anybody out there—farmers or growers—that will see otherwise. This is a sensible bill it needs to be supported by all members of the House and I commend it to the House."