Source: Ministry for Primary Industries
Have your say
From 1 December 2023 to 29 January 2024, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invites comment on proposed changes to the import health standard for importing fertilisers and growing media of plant origin. The proposed changes to the import health standard (IHS) are:
- making the accepted treatments align across this standard and with other MPI standards
- removing the permit requirement for import of coco peat products under Options 1, 2, and 3 and processed fertiliser, growing media, and bioremediation products that have undergone seed devitalisation treatment
- providing more clarification on definitions and general requirements
- re-numbering and formatting Part 2 of the standard.
Full details of the proposed changes are in the consultation documents.
Consultation documents
Risk management proposal: Amendment to the Fertilisers and Growing Media of Plant Origin IHS [PDF, 184 KB]
Draft IHS: Fertilisers and Growing Media of Plant Origin [PDF, 381 KB]
Making your submission
Email your feedback on the draft by 5pm on 29 January 2024 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
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.
Find out more
Importing soil, organic fertilisers and growing media of plant origin
