THE state government's new Biosecurity Bill continues to attract controversy, despite the Agriculture Minister Niall Blair promoting it as a step forward.
The bill was up for debate in parliament as The Land went to press.
The proposed laws would replace 14 pieces of legislation, cut red tape and address issues around nil-tenure weed, pest and disease control.
Animal rights activists and green groups have deemed it "ag-gag" legislation, while on Tuesday Labor asked for it to be referred to a committee for review.
Mr Blair said the bill defined key concepts such as biosecurity matter, carriers and biosecurity impact, while including a duty for any person who deals with biosecurity matter or a carrier to ensure that as far as reasonably practicable the biosecurity risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised.
Opposition spokesman for primary industries Mick Veitch said the bill was complex and needed further consultation.
"I believe an inquiry will provide us with an opportunity to explore the impacts of the legislation and to get it right," he said.
Mr Veitch said Labor did not oppose measures designed to ensure tight biosecurity.
"We share the Government's concern about ensuring NSW has a robust and strong framework for biological control," he said.
"We must get this right. A number of organisations have raised different concerns with me about this bill and they do not know how it will be implemented."
Earlier, Animal Justice Party member Mark Pearson presented a petition from 2,187 people who were against the bill.
The petition accused the bill of targeting animal rights activists and gagging employees, whistleblowers and the media from making evidence of animal cruelty public
It also pushed for legal immunity for people who "act in good faith and for the public good in exposing animal cruelty, who has undertaken reasonably practicable steps to prevent a biosecurity risk."
The bill says activists who fail to report to the front office face heavy fines and imprisonment if a sign is posted stating it is a requirement of entering the property
NSW Greens animal welfare spokeswoman Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC said while biosecurity was important for the environment and biodiversity as well as farmers, Mr Blair's bill was "poorly drafted".
"It is clear the government intends to use it to target animal welfare activists who expose animal cruelty.
