Proposed new import health standard for research samples (excluding animal and human samples)

Have your say

From 30 March to 14 May 2021, Biosecurity New Zealand invites comment on a proposed new import health standard for research samples (excluding animal and human samples).

A range of research samples are regularly imported into New Zealand. Currently, the import requirements for research samples are spread across 8 different import health standards. The proposed new import health standard centralises all the requirements for research samples, streamlining their importation.

If the proposed import health standard is issued, the related standards will be amended to remove the research sample requirements.

We welcome your feedback on the:

• proposed new import health standard (IHS)
• removal of the research-related parts of the other standards.

Full details of the proposed changes are in the consultation documents.

Consultation documents

Draft IHS for research samples (excluding animal and human samples) [PDF, 391 KB]

Draft risk management proposal for importing research samples (excluding animal and human samples) [PDF, 384 KB]

Research-related parts of affected import health standards

If the proposed import health standard is issued, other standards listed in this table will be amended to remove the research sample requirements.

Making your submission

Send your feedback by 5pm on 14 May 2021.

Email plantimports@mpi.govt.nz

While we prefer email, you can send your submission by post to:

Plant Product Imports, Animal and Plant Health Directorate
Biosecurity New Zealand
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand.

What to include in your submission

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).

Submissions are a chance to provide us with new information or identify improvements that can be made to a standard. It's best if you can:

• comment on specific parts and proposed requirements in the import health standard
• provide reasons, data, and published references to support comments
• use examples to illustrate points.

All submissions received by the closing date will be considered before the import health standard (IHS) is issued. Biosecurity New Zealand may hold late submissions on file for consideration when the issued IHS is next revised or reviewed.

Steps to finalising the new import health standard

After consultation on a draft import health standard, Biosecurity New Zealand publishes a provisional IHS.

If you made a submission during the consultation, you have 10 working days to notify the director-general of Biosecurity New Zealand that you intend to request an independent review. Reviews are limited to whether or not specific scientific evidence was given sufficient consideration.

If no review is requested within 10 working days, then the provisional IHS is confirmed and issued as a standard.

For more information about reviews, refer to Section 24 of the Biosecurity Act 1993

Submissions are public information

Note that any submission you make becomes public information. People can ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we have to make submissions available unless we have a good reason for withholding it. This is explained 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 information being commercially sensitive or personal. However, any decision Biosecurity New Zealand makes to withhold information can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may tell us to release it.

Legal background

Biosecurity New Zealand must consult with interested parties in accordance with section 23 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) and Biosecurity New Zealand’s consultation policy before issuing or amending (other than of minor or urgent nature) import health standards under sections 24A and 24B of the Act.