Proposed changes to the import health standard for importing dried and preserved plant materials.

Have your say

From 2 November to 14 December 2023, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invites comment on proposed changes to the import health standard for importing dried and preserved plant materials.

We propose removing the import requirements for all consignments of Pacific-style handwoven mats or tapa cloth mats (including fine mats) from the import health standard (IHS). This involves removing the requirements for:

an official phytosanitary certificate or inspection in New Zealand
mats to be made from specific plants.

Full details of the proposed changes are in the consultation document.

Consultation document

Risk Management Proposal – Amendment to the Import Health Standard: Dried and Preserved Plant Materials [PDF, 491 KB]

Making your submission

Email your feedback on the draft by 5pm on 14 December 2023 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 you're submitting on behalf of an organisation)
your contact details (for example, phone number, address, and email).

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

Plant Product Imports (Animal and Plant Health Directorate)
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand.

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

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 about the process

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.

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

Proposed changes to the import health standard for importing dried and preserved plant materials.

Closing date

Contact

Email