UPDATE – 27 OCTOBER 2022
Final import health standard and review of submissions
Following the consultation, MPI has issued the final import health standard along with the review of submissions.
Persea americana Plants for Planting IHS [PDF, 420 KB]
Review of submissions [PDF, 1.7 MB]
Consultation background
From 29 June to 10 August 2022, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) sought feedback on the draft import health standard (IHS) for Persea americana plants for planting.
This standard sets out the proposed new import requirements for Persea americana plants for planting imported into New Zealand for propagation.
The Persea americana plants for planting IHS is intended to replace the existing "Persea" schedule of the import health standard 155.02.06: Importation of Nursery Stock.
The scientific evidence and rationale for the proposed measures in the draft IHS are summarised in the risk management proposal. Full details of the proposed changes are in the consultation documents.
Consultation documents
Draft import health standard: Persea americana plants for planting [PDF, 547 KB]
Import risk analysis: Persea americana plants for planting [PDF, 5.2 MB]
Risk management proposal: Persea americana plants for planting IHS [PDF, 633 KB]
Next steps
After we have considered all submissions there is a 10-day period which provides submitters with the opportunity to examine any changes to the IHS which have resulted from consultation. An independent review (under section 24 of the Biosecurity Act 1993) may be requested in this period if a submitter considers scientific evidence they raised during their submission has not received sufficient consideration. If there is no review, the IHS becomes final after 10 days.
Find out more
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.
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.
