Notifications for New Zealand (373 notifications)

MPI is proposing to remove the following pests and any specific measures for these pests in the specific requirements in Part 2 in the Import Health Standard Seeds for Sowing (155.02.05):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. This change results in the removal of the Lavandula schedule from Part 2 in the import health standard and changes the import requirements for Lavandula seeds to basic requirements;Penicillium brevicompactum from the Pinus schedule;Plum pox virus from the Prunus schedule;Tobacco ringspot virus from the Solanum tuberosum schedule;Tarsonemus granarius from the Triticum schedule;High plains virus from the Zea schedule.

The proposed standard will replace the three current standards (Cut Flowers and FoliageCut Flowers and Branches Cordyline and Dracaena Species from All Countries, and Oncidium Cut Flowers)We are proposing several key changes to what can be imported, and to our import requirements. Adding 36 new plant genera and remove 78 plant genera. This would bring the total genera available to import to 136;Cut flowers and foliage will be available from 26 countries instead of 14;There will be additional requirements to manage pests on 57 host genera;We will no longer require any cut flowers and foliage to be devitalised.Further details can be found within the Risk Management Proposal document.

The sub-class import health standard describes the import specifications for fresh durian fruit imported into New Zealand.Conogethes punctiferalis is a regulated targeted measure pest for New Zealand and is a biosecurity risk associated with fresh durian from Thailand. MPI is proposing to replace the currently required measure of ‘appropriate pest control activities’ for C. punctiferalis on durian from Thailand with a ‘systems approach’. The risk management proposal document contains technical details. The proposed systems approach schedule is formed by two independent measures below:Pest reduction activities in durian orchards;Packhouse inspection to exclude infested fruits.

This addendum concerns the amendment of the previously notified document, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Import Health Standard: Seeds for Sowing (155.02.05). The amendment to this import health standard was notified in G/SPS/N/NZL/768 dated 16 May 2024. Consultation on these changes has closed and the Ministry for Primary Industries issued the amended Import Health Standard: Seeds for Sowing (155.02.05) on 30 August 2024. The issued standard is on this link -  https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/1151-Seeds-for-Sowing-Import-Health-StandardAll the changes to the Import Health Standard: Seeds for Sowing (155.02.05) proposed in G/SPS/N/NZL/768 were adopted, published, and entered into force on 30 August 2024. Note that we have provided a one year implementation period for the following changes: Changing the wording for additional declarations for pests from: pest "not known to occur"; to "the seeds are produced in an area where [pest] is absent" as per ISPM 8: Determination of pest status in an area. Those changes apply for specific pests in the following 18 schedules in the import health standard: CapsicumCarpinusCaryaCastaneaCitrusCucumisCucurbitaceaeDesmodiumEriobotryiaHelianthusJuglansLensLithocarpus densiflorusMedicagoNicotiana tabacumQuercusUlmus and VignaUntil 30 August 2025, MPI will accept phytosanitary certificates with additional declarations for these pests that certify either the “[pest] is not known to occur” or "the seeds are produced in an area where the [pest] is absent" as per ISPM 8: Determination of pest status in an area. Guidance about this has been added in the 18 schedules.In relation to the change notified in G/SPS/N/NZL/768 to add seed testing (either offshore prior to export or on-arrival in New Zealand) as an option for a phytosanitary measure for certain pests, MPI wishes to inform trading partners that on-arrival testing in New Zealand is only possible if the seeds are not pesticide treated. Guidance about this has been added in the following schedules in the import health standard: AvenaGlycineHordeumSesamumTriticum and VignaAdoption date of regulation: 30 August 2024.

Proposal P1055 proposes to amend the definitions for ‘food produced using gene technology’ and ‘gene technology’ in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) to ensure it is clear what foods are genetically modified (GM) for Code purposes, while also ensuring that foods are regulated according to the risk they pose. FSANZ has prepared a draft variation to the Code, which extends across six food standards and four schedules. Key aspects include:Repealing the existing definitions for ‘food produced using gene technology’ and ‘gene technology’ and replacing them with a new definition for ‘genetically modified food’ based around the presence of novel DNA in the organism from which the food is derived;Explicit exclusions from the GM food definition for substances added to food, substances used in cell culture media for the production of cell-cultured food, and food from null segregant organisms and grafted plants;New definitions for ‘novel DNA’, ‘novel protein’ and ‘null segregant’.The primary objective of the Proposal is to ensure clarity on which foods are GM foods for Code purposes, while also accommodating new and emerging technologies for genetic modification and changes in the international regulatory context. The proposed amendments would provide a clear definition for GM food for enforcement purposes and reduce uncertainty about which foods require pre-market assessment as GM foods, while continuing to protect public health and safety.No transition period is proposed. The proposed variations to the six Standards and four Schedules are:unlikely to have any impact on products currently on the market; or are deregulatory in nature and provide exemptions to current requirements for products on the market.The standard 12 month stock in trade provisions in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code will apply.We are notifying other aspects of these measures under the Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement.

This notification relates to amendments to the Import Health Standard: Dried and Preserved Plant Material following public consultation on removing inspection and certification requirements for Pacific-style handwoven mats or tapa mats (including fine mats) and reference to Pandanus spp. from the standard.This amendment will facilitate trade of tapa mats and fine mats and reduce the costs for importers.

The Ministry for Primary Industries aims to focus resources on maintaining nursery stock import pathways that are of biggest benefit to importers and exporters. Therefore, we propose suspending import pathways for nursery stock species that have not been used for many years. About 60% of eligible plant genera have not been imported for over 25 years. A further 13% of eligible plant genera have not been imported since 2013. As a result, the import requirements for these genera have not been maintained. Therefore, they pose biosecurity risk to New Zealand. The detail for each plant genus is in the documents linked below in section 9.The Ministry for Primary Industries is also amending the format of the import health standard Importation of Nursery Stock 155.02.06. The format change aims to make the standard more user-friendly and will not change requirements of any open pathways. The name of the standard will also change to Plants for Planting 155.02.06 to reflect terminology used in our newer import health standards.

This standard describes the import specifications and entry conditions for nursery stock (whole plants, cuttings, bulbs and tissue culture) imported into New Zealand.MPI is proposing the following changes to the Importation of Nursery Stock import health standard: Addition of phytosanitary measures for the management of alstroemeria necrotic streak virus and tomato chlorotic spot virus on Hoya plant hosts. Measures include options for off-shore and on-shore management;Removal of the measures for hoya undetermined tobamoviruses on Hoya plant hosts.

MPI has issued an amended import health standard 155.02.06: Importation of Nursery Stock effective 14 June 2024.Addition phytosanitary measures for the management of 11 phytoplasmas on 43 ornamental host genera using a new approach that considers history of trade to help identify measures. These measures will come into force on 14 March 2025. The amendments include:Amendment to the phytoplasmas listed as quarantine pests in the Rosa schedule;Removal of measures for phytoplasmas for AcrocomiaHippeastrum and ZantedeschiaAdoption date of regulation: 14 June 2024

The document contains technical details on proposals to amend the current Notice issued under the Food Act 2014 that lists the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for agricultural compounds in New Zealand.MPI proposes the following amendments to the Notice:New MRL entries for the following compounds and commodities:Penflufen: 0.01(*) mg/kg in potatoes;The amendment of existing MRL entries for the following compounds and commodities:Fluopyram: 0.01(*)mg/kg in kiwifruit;Glufosinate-ammonium: correction of CAS number;Mecoprop: Inlcude mecoprop-P, the refined isomer, in the description;Piperonyl butoxide: 0.05 mg/kg in meat, fat and offal from cattle and deer, and milk.(*) indicates that the maximum residue level has been set at or about the limit of analytical quantification. The addition of one new entry in Schedule 3 for veterinary medicines for which no maximum residue level applies:Calcium and its salts, when used for calcium supplementation to treat or prevent post-calving hypocalcaemia.

The regulation document which was originally attached to the notification G/SPS/N/NZL/748 was the incorrect.  This notification replaces it with the correct one.

Biosecurity requirements for importation of zoo equids to New Zealand.

MPI is proposing the following changes to the Import Health Standard Seeds for Sowing (155.02.05):Adding an option for seeds to come from an area where a pest is absent as per ISPM 8: Determination of pest status in an area, in situations where there is already an option for the seeds to come from a pest-free area;This involves changing the requirements in 33 schedules in Part 2 of the Import Health Standard. The schedules are AcrocomiaAgropyronArachis hypogaeaAvenaBetaCamellia sinensisCannabis sativaCapsicumCicerCocosCoriandrumCoryphaCuminumElaeisGlebionisGlycineHordeumLavandulaLivistonaMedicagoPetuniaPhaseolusPhoenixPisumSesamumSolanumSolanum lycopersicumSorghumTrigonella foenum-graecumTriticumVicia and ZeaChanging the wording for additional declarations for pests from “not known to occur” to “the seeds are produced in an area where [pest] is absent”;This involves changing the requirements in 18 schedules in Part 2 of the Import Health Standard. The schedules are Capsicum, Carpinus, Carya, Castanea, Citrus, Cucumis, Cucurbitaceae, Desmodium, Eriobotryia, Helianthus, Juglans, Lens, Lithocarpus densiflorus, Medicago, Nicotiana tabacum, Quercus, Ulmus and VignaChanging the requirements for importing seeds of New Zealand origin in section 1.7 in the standard;Removing the following pests in Part 2 of the Import Health Standard:Claviceps gigantea and Cochliobolus tuberculatus from the Zea schedule;Cochliobolus miyabeanus from the Phaseolus schedule;High plains virus from the AvenaHordeum and Triticum schedule;Curvularia verruculosa from the Triticum schedule;Grapevine yellow speckle viroid 2 from the Vitis schedule;Adding seed testing (offshore or on-arrival in New Zealand) as an option for a phytosanitary measure in Part 2 of the Import Health Standard, for:Xanthomonas campestris pv. undulosa in the AvenaHordeum and Triticum schedule;Pseudomonas syringae pv. striafaciens in the Hordeum schedule;Rathayibacter tritici in the Hordeum and Triticum schedule;Xanthomonas campestris pv. sesami in the Sesamum schedule;Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens and Xanthomonas campestris pv. vignicola in the Vigna schedule;Increasing the sample size for testing Arachis hypogaea seeds for Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum from 400 seeds to 4,000 seeds;Adding testing requirements for Tomato black ring virus for Rubus and Vitis seeds;Listing Rumex sanguineus as eligible to import into New Zealand under basic import requirements;Removing the requirement for importers to declare that the seed in their consignments is not a seed lot of the following varieties of Beta vulgaris var. rapacea: Kyros 16UB128, Bangor 16UB126, Bangor 15UB079, Bangor 16UB114, Feldherr 16UB131 or Troya 16UB112 in section 1.9 in the Import Health Standard.

This is a second addendum to New Zealand’s WTO notification (G/SPS/N/NZL/757) made on 29 November 2023 on proposed import requirements for mangosteen and rambutan plants for planting. The notified amendment was a risk management proposal for new requirements for importing mangosteen and rambutan plants for planting into New Zealand. It also included a new pest list. This addendum does not extend the scope of the previously notified regulation, nor will it potentially affect Members as this is a trade enabling amendment. In response to comments on our second proposal, we have adjusted one risk management measure as follows: We have now added ‘grafted plants’ as a commodity class in the import health standard. We have analyzed the risks of grafted mangosteen and rambutan plants and have added requirements for them (both rootstock and scion must be from the same species). The amended import health standard has now been finalized.

The proposal notified in G/SPS/N/NZL/750 (3 November 2023) is now adopted and was issued on 17 April 2024. This legislation will take effect from 1 August 2024.

This is an addendum to New Zealand’s WTO notification (G/SPS/N/NZL/761), made on 31 January 2024, on proposed changes to import requirements for ornamental plants for planting. The notified amendment was a risk management proposal for the management of phytoplasmas on ornamental plants for planting imported into New Zealand. This addendum does not extend the scope of the previously notified regulation, nor will it potentially affect Members as this is a trade enabling amendment.In response to comments on our first proposal, we have adjusted a couple of risk management measures as follows: Amended high certainty pathways to restrict them to the commodity type that has been imported into New Zealand (e.g., tissue culture), rather than all commodity types. The high certainty pathways now are:Alstroemeriatissue culture from the Netherlands;Anemonebulbs from Israel and the Netherlands;Dahliabulbs from the Netherlands;Gerberatissue culture from India;Narcissus bulbs from the United Kingdom;Paeoniabulbs from the Netherlands;Rosawhole plants, cuttings and tissue culture from Australia, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom;AlstroemeriaBegoniaDahliaDianthus caryophyllusFreesiaGladiolusLilium and Narcissusbulbs from the Netherlands imported under an MPI-approved propagation scheme (Naktuinbouw and Bloembollenkeuringsdienst (BKD));Dianthus caryophylluswhole plants from the Netherlands imported under an MPI-approved propagation scheme (Naktuinbouw and BKD);Added a nine-month transitional period for the phytoplasma amendments to come into force. This is because several hosts imported as bulbs are produced in the northern hemisphere, where growing season inspection has already started.We have now drafted the import health standard and changed the proposed date of entry into force to 14 March 2025.

Adoption date of regulation: 16 April 2024

The requirements for Syrah declined in sections 3.1 and 3.2 of the Vitis schedule from the "Ministry for Primary Industries Standard 155.02.05: Importation of Nursery Stock" has been amended to clarify that they only apply to Syrah cultivars of Vitis

The document contains technical details on proposals to amend the current Notice issued under the Food Act 2014 that lists the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for agricultural compounds in New Zealand.MPI proposes the following amendments to the Notice:The amendment of existing entries in Schedule 1, Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds, for the following compounds and commodities:Amendments of the entries for brodifacoum, bromadiolone, flocoumafen, and pindone, to set new MRLs at 0.003 mg/kg for pig edible offal (except liver), and 0.004 mg/kg for pig liver, while retaining an MRL for ‘any other food’ at 0.001(*) mg/kg; andAmendment of the entry for dieldrin and aldrin, to remove the ‘any other food’ MRL. The addition of four new entries in Schedule 1, for the following compounds and commodities: New MRLs set for coumatetralyl, difenacoum, difethialone, and diphacinone at 0.003 mg/kg for pig edible offal (except liver), 0.004 mg/kg for pig liver, and 0.001(*) mg/kg for ‘any other food’.Note: (*) indicates that the maximum residue level has been set at or about the limit of analytical quantification.

This notification relates to amendments to the import health standard: Grain and Seeds for Consumption, Feed or Processing following public consultation that involve: requiring maize grain imported into New Zealand to be dried to a moisture content of 14% or less before export; removing 11 regulated pests for the Zea mays pest list, along with the requirements to those pest;removing phytosanitary measures for three regulated pests for import of hulled Cannabis sativa seeds; expanding issuance authority for sampling certificates.This amendment will facilitate trade of Zea mays and hulled Cannabis sativa seeds, provide new trade opportunities, and reduce the costs for importers.