Update – 2 April 2020
Consultation extended
Due to the COVID-19 national response, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has extended the closing date for submissions.
The new deadline for submissions is 5pm on 23 April 2020.
Have your say
From 2 March 2020 to 23 April 2020, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invites comment on proposed changes to:
- Import Health Standard 155.02.05: Seeds for sowing
- Import Health Standard 155.02.06: Importation of Nursery Stock.
Full details of the proposed changes are in the consultation document.
Consultation document
Making your submission
Email your feedback on the draft by 5pm on 23 April 2020 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 Imports
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 the 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
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.
