Have your say
From 25 November 2024 to 31 January 2025, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invites comment on proposed changes to the seeds for sowing import health standard (155.02.05).
The changes remove some pests from pest lists in the standard (and related measures for these pests). That's because they are not a risk for New Zealand on the seed pathway, based on current scientific evidence:
- Pseudomonas syringae pv. cannabina and Xanthomonas campestris pv. cannabis from the Cannabis sativa schedule
- Strawberry latent ringspot virus (strains not in New Zealand) from the Fragaria schedule
- Septoria helianthi from the Helianthus schedule
- Coniothyrium lavandulae and Phoma lavandulae from the Lavandula schedule
- Plum pox virus from the Prunus schedule
- Tarsonemus granarius from the Triticum schedule
- High plains virus from the Zea schedule.
Full details of the proposed changes are in the consultation documents.
Consultation documents
Risk management proposal: Amendments to the Import Health Standard Seeds for Sowing (155.02.05) [PDF, 490 KB]
Draft import health standard: Seeds for Sowing [PDF, 3 MB]
Related document
NZL 776 - SPS Notification - Proposed amendments to IHS 155.02.05 Seeds for sowing - WTO notification [PDF, 118 KB]
Making your submission
Email your feedback by 5pm on 31 January 2025 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:
Live plants 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 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 consultation on a draft import health standard, MPI publishes a provisional IHS. If you made a submission during the consultation, you have 10 working days to notify us that you intend to request an independent review. Reviews are limited to whether specific scientific evidence was given sufficient consideration.
If no review is requested within 10 working days, then the provisional IHS is confirmed and the final IHS is issued.
For more information about reviews, refer to Section 24 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 (NZ Legislation)
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.
