Skip to main content

Draft IHS for seeds for sowing, and changes to protocol for testing for the presence of genetically modified seed

Consultation update

Final IHS

The final import health standard (IHS) was issued 26 November 2015.

Provisional IHS

Consultation closed and a provisional import health standard (IHS) was issued on 12 November 2015. Authorised people had 10 days from this date to ask for an independent review under section 24 of the Biosecurity Act 1993.

Submissions

A summary of the submissions received for this consultation are available to download:

Final Draft of the Protocol for Testing for the Presence of Genetically Modified Plant Material

Consultation closed and the final draft for the Protocol for Testing for the Presence of Genetically Modified Plant Material was issued on 12 November 2015. No submissions were lodged. The full implementation of this protocol is from 1 January 2016. All GM testing certificates dated on or after 1 January 2016 must comply with the new requirements.

 

Background to consultation

From 10 September 2015 to 8 October 2015, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invited comment on proposed changes to the:

  • general requirements for the importation of seeds for sowing (Import Health Standard 155.02.05: Importation of Seeds for Sowing)
  • Protocol for Testing Seed Imports for the Presence of Genetically Modified Seed.

 The proposed changes were detailed in the consultation document.

Consultation documents

The proposed new import health standard (IHS) and the Protocol for Testing Seed Imports for the Presence of Genetically Modified Seed are also available to download.

Make your submission

Email your feedback on the draft by 5pm, 8 October 2015 to plantimports@mpi.govt.nz.

Make sure you include in your submission:

  • the title of the consultation document in the subject line of your email
  • your name and title (if applicable)
  • your organisation's name (if applicable)
  • your address.

While we prefer email, you can send your submission by post to:

Plant Imports
Plants, Food & Environment
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand

All submissions received by the closing date will be considered before the amended IHS is issued. MPI may hold late submissions on file for consideration when the issued IHS is next revised or reviewed.

Steps to finalising the new IHS

After we've considered all submissions, we publish a provisional IHS for 10 days to give submitters a chance to examine the changes. An independent review (under section 24 of the Biosecurity Act 1993) may be requested under this period, if a submitter considers scientific evidence they raised during their submission has not received sufficient consideration. If there's no review, the IHS becomes final after 10 days.

The provisional IHS will be published on this consultation page and other relevant pages on this website.

Submissions are public information

Any submission you make becomes public information. Anyone can ask for copies of all submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the information available, unless we have a good reason for withholding it. You can find those grounds in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA. Tell us if you think there are grounds to withhold specific information in your submission. Reasons might include, it's commercially sensitive or it's personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold information can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may require the information be released.

Who to contact

If you have questions about this consultation, email plantimports@mpi.govt.nz.  

MPI business units