Update – 17 August 2022
Final documents and review of submissions released.
Following the consultation that closed on 9 May 2022, MPI has released the final Nursery Stock import health standard along with the review of submissions.
Nursery Stock – Import health standard [PDF, 2.6 MB]
Review of Submissions [PDF, 433 KB]
Consultation background
From 11 April 2022 to 9 May 2022, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invited comments on proposed changes to the import health standard: Importation of Nursery Stock (155.02.06).
Orchid fleck dichorhavirus (OFV) is a regulated plant virus that could be carried on imported orchids. This virus can infect cabbage and citrus trees as well as orchids.
MPI proposed to manage the orchid strain of OFV on orchid whole plants and cuttings with growing season inspection in post-entry quarantine (PEQ).
This had limited impact on the importation of host species.
We have received feedback and made changes to the standard as a result, additional Oncidium species were added to the Plants Biosecurity Index as approved for import into New Zealand.
Full details of the proposed changes are in the risk management proposal.
Consultation documents
Pest risk assessment for Orchid fleck dichorhavirus on Oncidium and other orchid genera [PDF, 899 KB]
Draft import health standard 155.02.06: Importation of Nursery Stock [PDF, 3.2 MB]
Related document
NZL 683 - SPS Notification [PDF, 161 KB]
Steps to finalising the new IHS
After consultation on a draft import health standard, MPI publishes a provisional IHS.
If you made a submission during the consultation, you have 10 working days to notify the Director-General of MPI that you intend to request an independent review. Reviews are limited to whether specific scientific evidence was given sufficient consideration.
If no review is requested within 10 working days, then the provisional IHS is confirmed and the final IHS is issued.
For more information about reviews, refer to Section 24 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 – NZ Legislation
Submissions are public information
Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.
People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.
If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.
Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation
Legal background
MPI must consult with interested parties in accordance with section 23 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) and MPI's consultation policy before issuing or amending (other than of minor or urgent nature) import health standards (IHS) under sections 24A and 24B of the Act.
An IHS specifies import requirements that must be met either in the country of origin or of export, or during transit, before biosecurity clearance can be given for the goods to enter New Zealand. MPI must ensure that these requirements are technically justified and provide an appropriate level of biosecurity protection.
