Assurances by the former Minister for Primary Industries, Nathan Guy, that biosecurity was his number one priority proved meaningless when incursion after incursion occurred under his watch.

While MPI claimed confidence in its biosecurity risk management protocols, Justice Mallon of the High Court of New Zealand reached a different view in the matter between Strathboss Kiwifruit Limited vs Attorney General.

Specifically, the plaintiffs established MAF personnel breached a duty of care in allowing a shipment of pollen and anthers into New Zealand, thereby releasing the bacteria Psa on to susceptible kiwifruit orchards and causing widespread damage estimated at $850 million.

The consequence of this successful action means border security will be appreciably enforced for the good of all. Failures of accountability and responsibility will no longer be defensible.

The 212 plaintiff growers ought to receive just compensation for their irretrievable losses. Industry opposition and victimisation towards some claimants by entities was unfortunate.

I congratulate Strathboss, Seeka, the Psa claim committee, and Litigation Partners Limited who provided legal counsel and funded expenses. All growers, whether they joined the action or not, can now feel assured that border protection against the brown marmorated stink bug and other biosecurity threats will receive due priority. This is a good outcome for New Zealand.

D Sher, Mount Maunganui (Abridged).