Proposed changes to the import health standard for importing soil, rock, gravel, sand, clay, and water

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Have your say

From 12 April to 25 May 2023 the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invites comment on proposed changes to the import health standard (IHS) for importing soil, rock, gravel, sand, clay, and water.

Revisions to the IHS we want your feedback on are:

1. General restructuring of the standard to improve readability.
2. New option to treat offshore with appropriate documentation.
3. New treatment options.
4. Removal of weight and volume limits on soil and water.
5. Allow direction to a transitional facility without a permit.
6. Split commodities by type to better target treatments towards the correct risks.
7. Allow goods from New Zealand’s exclusive economic zone to be treated as domestic with appropriate documentation.
8. A new category for core samples.

Full details of the proposed changes are in the consultation documents.

Consultation documents

Draft IHS for soil, rock, gravel, sand, clay, and water [PDF, 427 KB]

Draft risk management proposal on revisions to the IHS for soil, rock, gravel, sand, clay, and water [PDF, 394 KB]

Making your submission

Email your feedback on the draft by 5pm on 25 May 2023 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 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 with 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 IHS becomes final after 10 days.

Find out more about the process

MIL OSI