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Proposed amendments to import requirements for Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) seeds for sowing

21 February 2022 – Final IHS issued

MPI has issued an amendment to Import Health Standard (IHS) 155.02.05: Seeds for Sowing. The IHS dated 21 February 2022 replaces the earlier version of the standard dated 05 November 2021.

Seeds for sowing IHS [PDF, 1.8 MB]

Review of submissions received during the consultation [PDF, 759 KB]

Background

From 22 October to 22 November 2021 the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invited comment on proposed changes to the Import Health Standard (IHS) 155.02.05: Seeds for Sowing.

The changes affected specific import requirements for Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) seeds for sowing.

The proposed changes included:

  • amendment of the testing requirements for Pepino mosaic virus
  • inclusion of guidance regarding the use of a bioassay in seed testing for the presence of Pepino mosaic virus

The rationale for the proposed changes were detailed in the risk management proposal.

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

Consultation documents

Risk management proposal: Amendment to the testing requirements for Pepino mosaic virus in the specific requirements for tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) in the Seeds for Sowing (155.02.05) IHS [PDF, 498 KB]

Draft IHS 155.02.05: Seeds for Sowing  [PDF, 2 MB]

 

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.

Find out more

Steps to importing seeds for sowing