Govt inaction could impact food production – Nats

1st February 2022 By Staff Reporter | news@foodticker.co.nz | @foodtickernz

The National Party says government inaction on border class exceptions for time-critical workers could have an impact on food production and distribution in New Zealand.

“Workers for the grain harvest are needed here in February, but because of Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi’s inaction, they’re unlikely to get here on time, which could mean late and limited supply of essential food, like bread,” National’s leader, Chris Luxon, said.

He added that a failure to convert early interest meant there were only 40 applicants for 200 mobile machinery operators jobs.

Luxon said National would ensure that any border exception classes for critical workers would have managed isolation and quarantine spots linked to them to help speed entry into the labour market.