A bill amending the Biosecurity and Hazardous Substances and New
Organisms Acts passed the final reading by 110 votes to nine.
New or amended import health standards were frozen after beekeepers
succeeded in legal action last year to block the importation of honey and
bee products from Australia, because of their fears of importing new pests
and diseases.

Biosecurity Minister Jim Anderton says that has had a serious impact
on many sectors, including the racing industry which needs a new import
standard to bring back horses stuck in Australia because of the equine flu
outbreak here.

Presenting the bill on behalf of the minister, David Cunlife told
Parliament he supports the independent review process that has been included
in the legislation, and which will be applied to Australian honey imports.

The Greens and the Maori Party say clearing imported goods which may
introduce new organisms into the country should be the carried out by the
Environmental Risk Management Authority.

Green MP Metiria Turei has accused Labour and National, which
supported the Bill, of operating as a "grand coalition" that is putting
trade ahead of biosecurity.

She says only a small amendment is needed before genetically modified
organisms can be imported.


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