Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries
Have your say
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is consulting on proposed changes to an existing plant export requirement, the MPI Technical Standard: Phytosanitary Certificates [PDF, 326 KB]
This is part of the ongoing work to strengthen the MPI plant export phytosanitary assurance system.
MPI wants your feedback on the proposed changes to the standard.
This consultation opened on 20 October and we will accept submissions until 5pm on 28 November 2025.
Summary of what is being proposed and why are we making these changes
MPI has reviewed the standard, proposing some changes designed to make it easier for users to follow requirements. They include:
- amending the flow of information to make it easier to read and find relevant information
- adding more guidance and detail to the requirements to ensure they are well understood
- future-proofing the standard as much as possible by broadening terminology
- requiring exporters (whether requesting the certificates themselves or via another organisation) to register with MPI for access to the electronic certification system. This change aligns with new functionality being introduced in MPI Trade Certification, which will enable enhanced user management and allow exporters to have greater control over who can view and submit requests on their behalf. (Note that this change will not be introduced in ePhyto).
We are proposing these changes to the requirements to offer clarity and provide more guidance. These changes are intended to help industry more efficiently obtain and use phytosanitary certification while still meeting MPI’s requirements. While the standard may look different, the requirements largely remain the same.
Note: these are proposed changes only and are not currently in effect. The requirements outlined in the current version of the MPI Technical Standard: Phytosanitary Certificates (dated 18 November 2020) remain applicable.
Consultation document
Note: due to the number of amendments, the proposed changes to the requirements have not been highlighted in yellow.
Making your submission
Submissions are open until 5pm on 28 November 2025.
You can submit your feedback online or by email.
Online
Complete the submission form – SurveyMonkey
Send your comments to plantassurance@mpi.govt.nz
To help you give feedback, use our submission template [DOCX, 81 KB]
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.
