Changes to the import health standard for importing fertilisers and growing media of plant origin

Background to this consultation

From 1 December 2023 to 29 January 2024, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invited comment on proposed changes to the import health standard for importing fertilisers and growing media of plant origin. The proposed changes to the import health standard (IHS) were:

1. making the accepted treatments align across this standard and with other MPI standards
2. removing the permit requirement for import of coco peat products under Options 1, 2, and 3 and processed fertiliser, growing media, and bioremediation products that have undergone seed devitalisation treatment
3. providing more clarification on definitions and general requirements
4. re-numbering and formatting Part 2 of the standard.

Full details of the proposed changes were in the consultation documents.

Consultation documents

Risk management proposal: Amendment to the Fertilisers and Growing Media of Plant Origin IHS [PDF, 184 KB]

Draft IHS: Fertilisers and Growing Media of Plant Origin [PDF, 381 KB]

Related document

NZL 763 – SPS Notification – Amendment to the import health standard – Fertilisers and Growing Media of Plant Origin [PDF, 103 KB]

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.