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Proposed measures to manage phytoplasmas on ornamental plants for planting – Importation of Nursery Stock (155.02.06)

Update – 23 April 2024

We have released a review of the submissions we received.

Review of submissions [PDF, 1.1 MB]

Based on those submissions, we have now drafted changes to the nursery stock import health standard. Consultation on the draft import health standard is open until 14 May 2024.

Second consultation: Proposed import health standard to manage phytoplasmas on ornamental plants for planting

Background to this consultation

We sought feedback on proposed changes to the Import Health Standard: Nursery Stock (155.02.06) to manage the risk of phytoplasmas on imported ornamental plants for planting (nursery stock). Phytoplasmas can cause disease in many plant species, so they are a pest of concern to New Zealand.

Our consultation document explained how the proposed changes would manage the risk of phytoplasmas and asked for feedback on these proposed changes.

Why we consulted

From 30 January to 12 March 2024, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invited comments on the proposed measures and subsequent changes to the import health standard.

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

We were particularly interested in feedback on the following questions:

  1. Are our proposed measures feasible? If not, why and which other measures would you propose?
  2. Do you foresee any consequences of these measures that we have not addressed in this proposal? If so, which ones?
  3. Is there a risk we have not considered? If so, which one? Provide scientific evidence to support your answer so we can review it.
  4. Is there any other information you think we should consider before we draft the changes to the standard?

Consultation document

Proposed measures to manage phytoplasmas on ornamental plants for planting – Nursery Stock IHS (155.02.06) [PDF, 770 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.

Find out more

Steps to importing nursery stock

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

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