The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is looking for feedback on a proposed national policy direction for pest management plans and programmes.
The feedback will be used to produce a national policy direction that will ensure pest management plans and programmes across New Zealand are clear and consistent, and provide the best value, says John Sanson, MPI National Coordination Manager, Preparedness & Partnerships.
The public and stakeholders will also be asked for feedback on a new process for the Minister for Primary Industries to assign pest management responsibilities.
“The process will be used when indecision or excessive debate is holding up taking action on important pest management decisions,” says Mr Sanson.
Both the new process and the national policy direction are required as part of the 2012 reforms to the Biosecurity Act.
MPI is due to report its findings and recommendations from the consultation to the Minister for Primary industries in the second half of 2013.
The national policy direction and new regulations setting out a process for assigning pest management responsibilities are estimated to come into force by the end of the year.
Further information about the consultation, including the discussion documents can be found at http://mpi.govt.nz/news-resources/consultations/consultation-for-pest-management-regulations
All written submissions must be received by MPI by 5:00pm on Friday 14 June 2013.
Submissions or requests for hard copies of the discussion documents should be emailed or posted to:
Email: npdconsultation@mpi.govt.nz
Pest Management Consultation
Readiness and Response Policy Group
Biosecurity, Food and Animal Welfare Policy Directorate
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
