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Draft IHS for importing semen and embryos from sheep and goats

Update — 21 November 2016

Final IHS

Have your say

From 6 October 2016 to 31 October 2016 the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invites comment on proposed changes to the Risk Management Proposal (RMP) and Import Health Standard (IHS) for Semen and Embryos from Sheep and Goats.

The proposed changes relate to the removal of Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever and bovine tuberculosis measures. The RMP explains why the measures are proposed for removal. 

Consultation documents

Making your submission

Email your feedback on the drafts by 5pm on 31 October 2016 to animal.imports@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:

Animal Imports Team
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand

All submissions received by the closing date will be considered before the amended IHS is issued. MPI may hold late submissions on file for consideration when the issued IHS is next revised or reviewed.

Steps to finalising the new IHS

After we've considered all submissions, we publish a provisional IHS for 10 days to give authorised people a chance to ask for an independent review (under section 24 of the Biosecurity Act 1993). If there's no review, the IHS becomes final after 10 days.

The provisional IHS will be published on this consultation page and other relevant pages on this website.

Submissions are public information

Any submission you make becomes public information. Anyone can ask for copies of all submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the information available, unless we have a good reason for withholding it. You can find those grounds in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA. Tell us if you think there are grounds to withhold specific information in your submission. Reasons might include, it's commercially sensitive or it's personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold information can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may require the information be released.

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.