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Green Plans in Action: New Zealand: Beyond the Borders: Background
Biosecurity - Border Management
#1
Most invasive terrestrial weeds and vertebrate pests in NZ arrived as a result of intentional introductions. Examples are animals introduced as part of a commercial venture (e.g., goats, possums and rabbits) or as game species (e.g., pigs, deer, and Himalayan thar), or "garden escapes" that were introduced as ornamental plantings. Some fauna were introduced in attempts to eradicate prior introductions such as stoats, ferrets, and weasels to control booming rabbit populations, while wasps were intended as predators of crop pests.
#2
Ten airports are currently certified approved as places of first arrival. There are strict guidelines for clear and direct paths of airplanes towards specified terminals, gates and hangars, cargo to approved transitional facilities, and crew, passengers, and baggage to international arrival halls. The greatest risks from incoming ships are from ballast water and hull fouling and cleaning. Import Health Standards (IHS) were developed in 1998 prohibiting ballast water collected at foreign ports from being discharged into NZ waters, unless it has been exchanged in areas free of coastal influence, preferably mid-ocean. Over 60% of exotic marine species in NZ arrived on vessel hulls. The Ministry of Fisheries Biosecurity group, in collaboration with the Ministry for the Environment, is developing controls to ensure fouling organisms removed from vessel hulls during cleaning are contained, treated and properly disposed of and not washed back into sea.
International Dispute
The parties have agreed to freeze territorial claims, conduct scientific research according to accepted international standards, to share research, and not test nuclear or other weapons. By 2004, the Treaty had been signed by 44 countries. The Antarctic Treaty and related agreements are collectively called the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS). The ATS's yearly Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings are the international forum for the administration and management of the region.
Climate Change
#1
There are a number of policies already in existence that will support the Government's climate change objectives. These include:
The National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy to promote energy efficiency, energy conservation and renewable energy. The strategy's overall plan is to improve New Zealand's energy efficiency by at least 20% by 2012.
The New Zealand Transport Strategy which defines the Government's vision of an affordable, integrated, safe, responsive and sustainable transport system by 2010.
The New Zealand Waste Strategy setting a new direction for minimizing the country's waste and for improving its recovery and management. It sets out a practical program of large and small actions for the medium term, as well as some far-reaching, longer-term commitments.
The Growth and Innovation Framework, designed to focus the Government and business on an innovative, knowledge-driven approach to business development, will help to prepare New Zealand businesses to operate in a global market where greenhouse gas emissions have a cost and where world markets will increasingly demand new solutions, innovation and technologies to address emissions. For more information
Research is underway toward understanding the science of climate change, its impacts, adaptation options, and opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A public awareness and education program run by the NZ Climate Change Office has been established to raise public awareness about global warming, resulting climate change and the role of greenhouse gases, and to inform New Zealanders about the actions they can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. See the campaign website (www.4million.org.nz)
#2
The NZ Climate Change Office is responsible for leading the development, coordination and implementation of whole-of-government climate change policy. After a fundamental review of core objectives and policy approach, completed in 2005, additional policy responses and advice on long-term options are being considered. Ministry's NZ Climate Change Office successfully launched a public awareness campaign on 28 December 2003. The campaign's goal is to improve New Zealanders' understanding of environmental issues relating to climate change through education of the issues and to bring about changes in behaviors to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To support the public's understanding, an interactive campaign website has been established, and the Ministry of the Environment went on the road providing community meetings covering sixteen regions.
#3
For more information on NZ Climate Change
GMO Precautions
#1
In 2001 the government commissioned an independent Royal Commission on GMOs for hearing and investigation. After receiving over 10,000 submissions and considering all evidence, it was recommended the government proceed with caution while preserving opportunities. The government adopted the approach and placed a temporary moratorium on applications to release GMOs allowing time for structural and legislative changes recommended by the Royal Commission to be put in place.
#2
Approval is only given if a proposal meets stringent legislative criteria protecting the environment, health and safety of the people, and the benefits of GMO outweigh any adverse effects, including potential economic, social, and cultural impacts. Prior to the moratorium and since the lifting of the moratorium, ERMA has not received or considered an application for the release of a GMO in NZ.
#3
Minimum standards that must be met before any release of new organisms, including a GM organism, in New Zealand, include the likelihood of the organism causing:
- Significant affects to natural habitats
- Displacing native species
- Significantly altering New Zealand's genetic diversity
- Causing disease or becoming a vector for human, animal, or plant diseases
MAF also directs remediation of non-compliance, and takes immediate action in an event a GMO has escaped or spread from its intended location. Immediate action can include destruction of GM crops found outside approved locations.
#4
This multinational agreement was set up under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. It's main objective is to provide information to importing countries to assist in their decision-making accepting imports of living modified organisms, including all GMOs.
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