Joint Communiqué
16 December 2021, (virtual meeting hosted by New Zealand)
The 17th Australia and New Zealand Biosecurity Cooperation (ANZBC) annual meeting was held virtually on 16 December 2021. Representatives from Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) and New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) agreed a strong partnership between the two countries will enhance trans-Tasman trade opportunities and address emerging biosecurity threats. This year’s meeting was a great success, resulting in greater regional cooperation to strengthen biosecurity and boost trade.
ANZBC acknowledged the importance of technology innovation in detecting biosecurity threats to protect our borders. Since 2018, Australia and New Zealand have worked together to develop digital technology such as auto-detection algorithms, 3D x-ray screening and a range of other initiatives. The newly-formed Joint Trans-Tasman Detection Technology Taskforce will ensure our countries maintain strong biosecurity together by harnessing technological developments. Advancing our data and analytics capabilities will play a significant role in shared biosecurity preparedness and resilience-building.
Exercises simulating responding to pest and disease outbreaks were briefly discussed. Australia is working towards running a national exercise in 2022 and welcomed New Zealand’s interest in participating as an observer.
Key discussions and achievements of the 2021 ANZBC meeting included:
- Signing of the Cooperative Arrangement between DAWE and MPI to the Management of Biosecurity in Animal Commodities. The arrangement summarises the shared principles and commitments that guide and support our biosecurity and bilateral trading relationship. A key deliverable is the development of an annual workplan to clearly articulate agreed commitments to advance bilateral interests, including technical market access work and biosecurity collaboration.
- Animal & Plant Health Technical Working Groups reported on key outcomes from their meetings, particularly promoting bilateral trans-Tasman trade interests and collaborating to promote a consistent approach to assessment and management of risks.
- Acknowledgement that both countries are working closely together to address the risk of hitchhiker pests such as brown marmorated stink bug, Asian gypsy moth, a wide range of invasive ant species, giant African snail, and many others.
- Importance of collaboration to identify learnings from New Zealand’s Mycoplasma bovis biosecurity response.
- ANZBC noted the proposed work plan to accelerate recognition of each other’s biosecurity systems for plants.
- ANZBC noted impacts of global trade developments and increased trade complexity on biosecurity and exports.
- New Zealand presented a comprehensive system-based approach for managing its biosecurity. It is undertaking a range of projects to define strengths and gaps. Australia recognised New Zealand’s ongoing focus on its longer-term system strategy, which includes a 120-day planning cycle to review key priorities, deliverables and progress.
ANZBC continues to strive towards harmonised biosecurity for trans-Tasman trade and travel, and to maintain a close and collaborative relationship between the two countries. The cooperative group was established in 1999 under the terms of the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement and Closer Economic Relations (CER) Trade Agreement – 2023 marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the CER.
Both nations look forward to resuming face-to-face discussions. Australia will host the next ANZBC meeting in late 2022.