The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has released a discussion paper on the review of the New Zealand Horticulture Export Authority Act 1987 (HEA Act).

The paper contains proposals which aim to make the HEA Act more functional, useful, effective and efficient, and reduce compliance costs.

MPI’s discussion paper is available for download below:

Review of the New Zealand Horticulture Export Authority Act 1987

The proposals in the discussion paper focus on

• providing greater flexibility by enabling the product groups to differentiate between markets by applying the HEA Act framework only to certain markets (i.e. market segmentation) or by issuing different types of licences (i.e. two-tier licences);
• clarifying the procedures for demonstrating industry support for seeking an HEA Export Order or for exiting the HEA Act;
• asking whether the licence application assessment criteria are adequate;
• asking whether the enforcement and penalty provisions require updating after 25 years of operation; and
• updating a number of ambiguous and out of date provisions of the HEA Act.

Written submissions on the issues raised in the consultation paper are invited from all interested parties.

Submissions have now been received and can be found here: Summary of submissions

Submissions should be directed to:

Forestry and Plant Sector Team
Sector Policy
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140

Delivery Address: Level 7, Pastoral House, 25 The Terrace, Wellington

Email: consultation@mpi.govt.nz