10. Question No. 10—AgricultureHon DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East) to the Minister of AgricultureQuestion No. 10—Agriculture10. Hon DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East) to the Minister of Agriculture: Why did the Director-General of MPI tell Beef + Lamb New Zealand and the Meat Industry Association on Wednesday last week that the same definition of essential services used during the last lockdown would apply again in this lockdown and are farmers also required to get a Ministry of Health exemption to cross the level 3 boundary for work purposes?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Minister of Agriculture): Firstly can I say that all decisions have been made to reduce the harm from COVID-19 all through this process. In answer to the question why: because that was correct at the time. The initial health order was stood up swiftly as was necessary. A new health order was subsequently issued making some alterations to protect against the spread of COVID-19 that allow for the movement of critical primary sector workers. We committed to work with the industry to solve issues as they emerge which we have done and continue to do. Primary sector leaders want us to do everything possible so that we don't have to move up a level or stay under any extended restrictions. In answer to the second part of the question yes exemptions are required to cross the level 3 boundary for work purposes. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) worked with industry groups and the Ministry of Health over the weekend to expedite travel exemptions for dairy horticulture and poultry workers.Hon David Bennett: Was the weekend the first time the Minister made representations to the Minister of Health for an exemption of primary sector workers to any regional lockdown at the borders?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: No MPI have been aware from the initial order that some areas of the primary sectors would need exemptions and so the question was whether class exemptions were the appropriate way to deal with the issue or whether it should be with individual exemption applications.Hon David Bennett: If the Minister knew prior and MPI knew prior to the recent outbreak that such exemptions would be needed why didn't he ensure that such exemptions were in place when the lockdown occurred?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: One thing that this Government has done is always take the precautionary approach. The reason that we have lockdowns is to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The movement of any people for any reason adds a risk to that. We've been mindful that some people have required to shift across the borders. This is a new situation that the Government has faced and we've been trying to manage that to reduce the risk of spread but to allow the sensible movement of people where absolutely essential.Kiritapu Allan: What actions has the Government taken to keep industry sectors up with the protocols necessary under the current COVID-19 restrictions?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: I can say that this morning we met with all industry leaders via Zoom teleconference. We asked them if there were any issues major issues they had. They raised a few points but I'd have to say in summary most of those industry sector leaders were happy with the way that the Government has been handling this because they too want to eliminate any possible spread of COVID-19 where possible.Hon David Bennett: Will the Minister ask for the Auckland level 3 boundary to be changed to meet the demands of producers that have said The boundary area has been arbitrarily set half way through the Pukekohe production area and that is where the main problem is … so we're finding that [it's] very disruptive for getting crops harvested getting food to supermarkets and whatever other channels that are allowed to be open."?Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: The boundary was set through legislation as I understand it. I'm not familiar with the streets but it is the area of the Auckland greater city boundary. Any attempt to shift that would be quite complex. We have understood that in the areas of horticulture some people have worked or lived on both sides of that boundary. That's why we're working through very sensibly and have made provision for horticulture in particular over the weekend."