The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) must consult with interested parties before issuing or amending (other than of a minor or urgent nature) import health standards (IHSs) in accordance with Section 23 of the Biosecurity Act (1993). An IHS specifies phytosanitary requirements that must be carried out, either in the country of origin or of export, during transit, or in quarantine, before biosecurity clearance can be given for the commodity to enter New Zealand. MPI must ensure that these requirements are technically justified and provide an appropriate level of biosecurity risk management.
The following draft document has been released for public consultation and comment:
Draft Import Health Standard for Fresh Zucchini and Scallopini for consumption.
The following document has been released to provide additional information with regards to the measures proposed in the draft IHS:
Please note, MPI is working towards bringing clarity to standards that contain legal requirements for the importation of risk goods and supporting guidance material so that they are easy to find, easy to understand and developed in a clear and consistent way. This process will also achieve harmonisation of technically justified measures. Fresh produce IHSs are currently being converted into the new format which will be refined over time as work progresses. The proposed draft IHS for consultation is in this new format.
Making a submission
Comments on the draft IHS should be forwarded to MPI by 5pm on 26 February 2015. MPI encourages respondents to forward comments electronically. Send submissions to: plantimports@mpi.govt.nz
However, should you wish to forward submissions in writing, please send them to the following address by 5pm on 26 February 2015.
Plant Imports
Import & Export Standards
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
Please see the MPI website for additional information on 'Making a submission '.
Submissions received by the closure date will be considered for the final issue of the amended IHSs. Submissions received after the closure date may be held on file for consideration when the issued standard is next revised/reviewed.
Please note that your submission is public information. Submissions may be the subject of requests for information under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA specifies that information is to be made available to requesters unless there are sufficient grounds for withholding it, as set out in the OIA. Submitters may wish to indicate grounds for withholding specific information contained in their submission, such as the information is commercially sensitive or they wish personal information to be withheld. Any decision to withhold information requested under the OIA is reviewable by the Ombudsman.
