Monthly Bulletin

April 2025

This semi-regular update from the GIA Secretariat is intended to provide a general overview of the key matters considered by GIA governance bodies in the preceding month. It is not intended to communicate formal decisions by any of the parties, nor everything that happens within GIA. If there are any questions, or further information is required please contact steve.rich@gia.org.nz

Traceability Workshop: 1 April
Key matters discussed included:

GIA parties met with Onside on 1 April to review the outcomes of a year-long pilot using the Onside tool to trace risk movements within and between sectors.

During the pilot, 1,800 properties were mapped in the pilot, 180,000 movements recorded, of which 140,000 involved a ‘job’ in the system with a median 3.8-hour duration between movement activities.

Key learnings included:

A clear proof of concept: parties generally agreed that the tool does what it says it will do
The short time between movement activities
The importance of “super blockers” in tracking and containing an event
Mapping contractor activity is crucial
Automation simplifies visitor tracking, avoiding the need for individuals to interact with the tool, but it limits ability to gather additional data which might require interaction.
Ease of use, ability to see things in real-time
Extent of cross-industry, cross-sector and trans-Tasman movements.

The next step in GIA’s exploration of a traceability tool is a discovery workshop on 13 May. 
At this workshop parties and Onside will consider:
- The problem we seek to solve
- What is the range of services required?
- What’s a bottom line: nice to have; gold plated?
- What decisions need to be made.
- Price and funding

Deed Governance Group (DGG): 3 April
The key matters discussed were:

Lessons learnt from the High Pathogenic Avian Influenza H7 Otago and Oriental Fruit Fly (OFF) responses.

An update on the Biosecurity System Action Plan, highlighting the focus on tangible actions and partner involvement.

A meeting with Hon Andrew Hoggard, Minister of Biosecurity

The review of the Biosecurity Act, with specific discussion on the potential introduction of a general biosecurity duty.

The Pest Impact and Beneficiary Classification (PIBC) work, with discussions on the prioritisation of pests, rapid notification, and the public/private benefit share.

Planning for the 25/26 Work Programme and budget process

Representatives from four Australian jurisdictions are expected to visit for the August 2025 BMSB Council response exercise, with potential discussions on wider collaboration opportunities.

The next DGG meeting is scheduled for 18 June 2025.

Xylella fastidiosa Operational Agreement (XFROA): 10 April
Key matters discussed included:

Parties discussed Plant and Food Research’s draft PIBC report identifying impacted industry parties and differential impact. It has considered three Xylella subspecies and a key UO vector, glassy winged sharpshooter; a xylem feeder.

Xylella presents considerable challenges in that there is a complex infection matrix across host species and Xylella subspecies, and where many infections are asymptomatic. The PIBC work considers only those hosts that demonstrate disease symptoms. This and other assumptions will be tested by Xylella GIA parties.