Proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act

We want your views about modernising the Biosecurity Act

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has completed a review of the Biosecurity Act 1993. We have a developed a range of proposals to update and modernise the Act, and your views are essential to understand the impacts each proposal may have.

Our suggested changes relate to 6 topics, each of which has a discussion document setting out the proposals.

You do not have to read every document to make a submission, and you may choose to read and submit only on topics or proposals that are of most interest to you.

We have a prepared a discussion document for each of the 6 topics plus an overview document that ties them together and provides additional context.

Discussion documents

• Overview [PDF, 622 KB]
  This document provides the context and background of the review work carried out to develop these proposals.
• System-wide issues [PDF, 811 KB]
  Proposals under this topic relate to purpose provisions in the Biosecurity Act, ministerial involvement in significant decisions, local knowledge in decision-making, biometric Information, and enforcing the law.
• Funding and compensation [PDF, 729 KB]
  These proposals seek to improve how the biosecurity system is funded, and relate to cost-sharing arrangements under the Government Industry Agreement, cost recovery from non-signatory beneficiaries, and compensation.
• Border and imports [PDF, 723 KB]
  Proposals for this area aim to strengthen biosecurity processes at the border and improve the Import Health Standard (IHS) system. The proposals relate to IHS processes, passenger processing, transitional and containment facilities, and biosecurity control areas.
• Readiness and response [PDF, 571 KB]
  These proposals aim to strengthen how the biosecurity system prepares for and responds to biosecurity threats once they have arrived in New Zealand. Proposals include changing the Government Industry Agreement partnership, emergency declarations, and biosecurity practices.
• Long-term management [PDF, 1.3 MB]
  Proposals here relate to strengthening the pest and pathway management system. They recommend making it easier to create pest and pathway management plans, better long-term management outcomes, better management of unwanted and notifiable organisms, and changing definitions related to unauthorised goods.
• Surveillance and legislative interfaces [PDF, 393 KB]
  The focus here is on surveillance, and improving how the Biosecurity Act interacts with other legislation, including Freshwater Fisheries Regulations, the Marine Mammals Protection Act, and the Wild Animal Control Act.

Information sheets

• Information sheet for Māori readers (te reo Māori) – Ngā whakahoutanga e marohitia ana ki te Biosecurity Act 1993 [PDF, 226 KB]
• Information sheet for Māori readers (English) – Proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act 1993 [PDF, 227 KB]

Making your submission

Send us your feedback by 5pm on 13 December 2024.

We recommend using the online form.

Proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act 1993 – SurveyMonkey

You can also provide feedback by email to BiosecurityBill@mpi.govt.nz

While we prefer you use the online form or email, you can post written submissions to:

Biosecurity System Policy team
Policy and Trade Branch
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.

What to include in your submission

Make sure you tell us in your submission:

• the topic of the consultation. If submitting by email (put 'Submission on proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act’ in the subject line)
• your name and title (unless you are making an anonymous submission)
• your organisation's name (if you are submitting on behalf of an organisation, and whether your submission represents the whole organisation or a section of it)
• your contact details (such as phone number, address, and email – unless you wish to remain anonymous).

Background information on this consultation and the Act

New Zealand’s biosecurity system helps protect our economy, environment, and people from unwanted pests and diseases.

Our biosecurity system is underpinned by the Biosecurity Act 1993. The Act provides the main legal framework for MPI and other organisations to manage and respond to harmful pests and diseases. The Act provides MPI and other organisations the tools to manage biosecurity risk before it arrives on New Zealand’s shore, at the border, and within New Zealand.

While the Act has served us well for the last 30 years, increasing pressures on the biosecurity system from trade, travel, online purchasing and climate change mean some changes are required to keep the system resilient and fit for the future. We have an opportunity now to strengthen the biosecurity system and make it efficient, cost-effective, and adaptable.

Since 2019, we have talked with key stakeholders (including mana whenua, regional councils, Government Industry Agreement partners, and other government agencies) about potential updates to the Act and key policy issues.

Biosecurity Act 1993 – NZ Legislation

Additional information and documents

Each discussion document has a regulatory impact statement. They provide a high-level summary of the problem being addressed, the options and their costs and benefits, the consultation undertaken and the proposed arrangements for implementation and review. You do not need to read these to answer the consultation questions, but they may provide extra context.

Regulatory impact statements

• Overview [PDF, 406 KB]
• System-wide issues [PDF, 653 KB]
• Funding and compensation [PDF, 922 KB]
• Border and imports [PDF, 503 KB]
• Readiness and response [PDF, 395 KB]
• Long-term management [PDF, 623 KB]
• Surveillance and legislative interfaces [PDF, 309 KB]

The next steps following this consultation

At the end of the consultation, MPI will analyse every submission and make recommendations to the Minister for Biosecurity. A summary of submissions will be posted on this page.

We anticipate that Cabinet will consider final policy proposals in 2025.