Update – 16 June 2020
Final IHS
Following consultation, the final import health standard (IHS) with measures for pelleted seeds for sowing was issued on 16 June 2020.
Seeds for Sowing IHS (155.02.05) [PDF, 1.8 MB]
Background to this consultation
From 4 February 2020 to 4 March 2020 the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invited comment on proposed changes to the Import Health Standard 155.02.05: Seeds for Sowing.
Full details of the proposed changes were in the consultation document.
Consultation document
Risk Management Proposal: Proposed amendments to the IHS 155.02.05: Seeds for sowing [PDF, 853 KB]
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 is 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 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.
