Source: Ministry for Primary Industries
Have your say
From 5 September to 17 October 2022, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invites comment on proposed changes to the import health standard for importing grain and seeds for consumption, feed, or processing.
The proposed changes to the import health standard (IHS) are:
- removal of specific pests from millet (Panicum) pest list, along with the specific import requirements for those pests in the Panicum spp. schedule
- addition of phytosanitary requirements for import of canola seeds (Brassica napus) and green millet (Pennisetum glaucum and clandestinum).
Full details are in the consultation documents.
Consultation documents
Risk Management Proposal: Amendment to the grain and seeds for consumption, feed, or processing import health standard [PDF, 4.4 MB]
Draft IHS grain and seeds for consumption, feed or processing [PDF, 1.4 MB]
Related document – the current IHS
Import Health Standard: Grain and Seeds for Consumption, Feed, or Processing (July 2022) [PDF, 788 KB]
Making your submission
Email your submission by 5 pm on 17 October 2022 to PlantImports@mpi.govt.nz
Submissions are a chance to provide MPI with new information or identify improvements that can be made to a standard. Effective submissions:
- comment on specific sections and proposed requirements in the standard;
- provide reasons, data and supporting published references to support comments;
- use examples to illustrate points.
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 (phone number and email).
While we prefer email, you can send your submission by post to:
Plant Product Imports, Animal and Plant Health Directorate
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 the opportunity to examine any changes to the IHS which have resulted from 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 standard becomes final after 10 days.
Find out more about the IHS process
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
Legal background
Biosecurity New Zealand must consult interested parties in accordance with section 23 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) and Biosecurity New Zealand’s consultation policy before issuing or amending import health standards (IHSs) under sections 24A and 24B of the Act. Biosecurity New Zealand is not required to consult interested parties if the changes are minor or urgent.
An import health standard 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.
