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Proposed updates to forest types and default carbon tables for exotic forests in the NZ Emissions Trading Scheme and other regulatory amendments

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Updates

29 April 2025

Technical annex added

We published a technical annex that summarises the research supporting the proposed updates to the default carbon tables.

View the technical annex

23 April 2025

Registrations open for webinars and online hui

To support this consultation, we are running 2 webinars and 2 online hui. These sessions will provide an opportunity for you to ask questions and discuss the proposals. The online hui are dedicated sessions for whenua Māori to give feedback on the proposals. You must register to attend the webinars or hui. (The registration links are to a Zoom booking system called ‘Connect’).

Webinars

• 12pm on Friday 2 May: Register to attend

• 4pm on Tuesday 6 May: Register to attend

Hui

• 4pm on Monday 5 May: Register to attend

• 12pm on Wednesday 7 May: Register to attend

Have your say

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is consulting on changes to improve the default carbon tables for exotic forests in the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS). Default carbon tables are used by small-scale forestry participants to calculate the carbon stored in their forests. We are also consulting on other technical regulatory amendments for forestry in the NZ ETS.

We want your feedback about the proposals – summaries are on this page and full details are in the discussion document.

You can send us your submission from 15 April until 5pm on 16 May 2025.

Discussion document

Proposed changes to forestry in the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS)  [PDF, 2.1 MB]

Related documents

Evaluating the potential for a default carbon table for redwoods and an updated default table for the exotic softwoods forest type for use in the ETS summary report [PDF, 3.3 MB]

Section D: Technical report: Evaluating alternative carbon modelling and analysis models for redwoods [PDF, 2 MB]

Section E: Impacts of silviculture and coppicing on carbon stocks in redwoods [PDF, 3.3 MB]

Updated default tables for the exotic hardwoods forest type for use in the ETS [PDF, 2.7 MB]

Updating radiata pine carbon yield tables for use in the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme [PDF, 3.6 MB]

Proposed updated and new default carbon tables in Excel format [XLSX, 86 KB]

Technical Annex: Summary of research supporting the proposed updates to the default carbon tables [PDF, 1.2 MB]

Introduction and summaries of the proposals

The Maximising Forest Carbon Programme aims to improve how we measure, recognise, and reward carbon storage in our native and exotic forests. One of the ways it will do this is by improving the accuracy of the default carbon tables.

Find out about Maximising Forest Carbon Programme

Summary of proposed changes to the default carbon tables for exotic forests

Participants with less than 100 hectares of forest land registered in the NZ ETS use the default carbon tables to calculate their forest’s carbon storage. The tables were developed in 2007–2008 using the best data available at the time but have not been meaningfully updated since.

Tree species in the NZ ETS are grouped into 5 forest types for carbon calculations. These are:

  • Pinus radiata (radiata pine)
  • Douglas-fir
  • exotic hardwoods
  • exotic softwoods
  • indigenous (native).

We are proposing updates to default carbon tables for the following types of exotic forest:

  • exotic softwoods
  • exotic hardwoods
  • Pinus radiata (radiata pine)

We’re also proposing to introduce a new forest type and default tables for redwoods. Redwoods are currently in the exotic softwoods forest type but under our proposals redwoods would be separated from exotic softwoods.

These improvements will help to ensure:

  • the forest types in the NZ ETS reflect the main types of forest grown in New Zealand
  • the default carbon tables provide robust carbon sequestration estimates
  • small-scale forestry participants are fairly rewarded for their carbon sequestration.

Summary of proposed regulatory amendments in the NZ ETS

Separate to the default tables proposals, we are also proposing some smaller amendments to the Climate Change (Forestry) Regulations 2022. These changes address technical issues. They are: 

  • clarifying whether young forests that fail to thrive should be considered first or subsequent rotation under averaging accounting
  • updating the deadline for the input calculator to align more closely to the deadline for emissions returns
  • streamlining the processing for transmissions of interest
  • simplifying the treatment of small areas
  • future-proofing the method of spatial measurement used for determining land area.

Making your submission

Send us your feedback on the proposals by 5pm on 16 May 2025.

You can submit feedback on the whole document, or just the areas relevant to you.

There are 3 ways you can make a submission – using an online form, or by emailing or posting your submission. 

Online

Complete our online submission form – Alchemer

Email or post

If you are sending us a submission by email or post, we encourage you to use the submission template. The submission template has the same questions as the online form.

Optional submission form template [DOCX, 120 KB]

When you have completed your submission, email it to etsforestrychanges@mpi.govt.nz

Or post it to:

Maximising Forest Carbon Programme
Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.

Include the title of the consultation document with your submission: Proposed changes to forestry in the NZ ETS.

Additionally, you may choose to include the following optional details:

  • your name and title
  • 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).

Providing this information is optional. If you do include it, it will help us gain more insights from your submission.

If you’d like more information, email etsforestrychanges@mpi.govt.nz

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

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Second notice of an application for a mātaitai reserve at southern Hokianga Harbour and adjoining waterways, Northland

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Your views sought

Ngā tāngata kaitiaki ō Te Hikutū (Te Hikutū Hapū) has applied for a mātaitai reserve (“Te Mātaitai ō Te Hikutū”) in the southern part of the Hokianga Harbour, Northland.

Fisheries New Zealand invites submissions from persons having a fishing interest in the stock or stocks in the proposed mātaitai reserve.

Te Hikutū Hapū and Fisheries New Zealand have previously consulted the local community on the application.

Find out about the first consultation with the local community (closed 13 May 2024)

What’s being proposed?

The proposed area includes the fisheries waters within a portion of southern Hokianga Harbour extending approximately 500 metres from the mean high-water mark, between Koutu Point and the Whirinaki River mouth, and adjoining freshwater fisheries waters.

Te Hikutū Hapū amended the original proposed area following the first consultation with the local community.

Consultation documents

Map of proposed mātaitai [PDF, 2 MB]

Te Mātaitai ō Te Hikutū application [PDF, 9.3 MB]

Making your submission

Submissions close at 5pm on Monday 19 May 2025.

Email your submission to FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz

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

Fisheries management – Spatial allocations
Fisheries New Zealand
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.

Public notices about this consultation

Public notices about the call for submissions are scheduled to appear in the Northern Advocate and Northland Age on 3 April 2025.

About mātaitai reserves

A mātaitai reserve is an identified traditional fishing ground which tangata whenua have a special relationship with. Mātaitai reserves are limited to fisheries waters and do not include any land area. Mātaitai reserves do not change any existing arrangements for access to private land.

Mātaitai reserves also do not affect private landowners’ land titles, or their ability to exercise resource consents for such things as taking water or extracting gravel or sand. Resource consents are managed under the Resource Management Act 1991.

When a mātaitai reserve is established, the recreational fishing rules do not change. However, the Tangata Kaitiaki for a mātaitai reserve may propose changes to the rules at a later date.

Commercial fishing is prohibited in a mātaitai reserve but can be reinstated at the request of the Tangata Kaitiaki for the mātaitai reserve for specified species, quantity or time period.

Mātaitai reserves do not have an impact on whitebait or trout fishing.

Find out more about mātaitai reserves

Fisheries (Kaimoana Customary Fishing) Regulations 1998 – NZ Legislation

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

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Review of the Biosecurity (Meat and Food Waste for Pigs) Regulations 2005

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Have your say

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is reviewing the regulations for feeding meat and food waste to pigs. The aim of the review is to reduce biosecurity risk and improve MPI’s ability to monitor compliance.

Requirements for feeding meat and food waste to pigs are in the Biosecurity (Meat and Food Waste for Pigs) Regulations 2005. The regulations provide important protection against exotic diseases entering New Zealand that would affect pigs and the livestock sector.

We want to hear your feedback about 4 options under consideration.

  1. Keep the status quo: meat food waste cannot be fed to pigs unless treated.
  2. Prohibit feeding food waste to pigs that contains meat (or has come into contact with meat).
  3. Require food waste producers to treat it before it can be distributed.
  4. Prohibit feeding any food waste to pigs.

Full explanations for each option are in the discussion document.

Discussion document

Reviewing the Biosecurity (Meat and Food Waste for Pigs) Regulations 2005 [PDF, 920 KB]

Related document

Biosecurity (Meat and Food Waste for Pigs) Regulations 2005 – NZ Legislation

Making your submission

Email your feedback on the discussion document and the options presented by Sunday 27 April 2025 to BiosecurityPartnerships.Policy@mpi.govt.nz

While we prefer email, you can post written submissions to:

Biosecurity Partnerships and Regulatory Stewardship team
Food Waste for Pigs Consultation
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

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Proposed amendments to the New Zealand Food Notice: Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds

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Have your say

New Zealand Food Safety wants your feedback about changes to the New Zealand Food Notice: Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds. The proposed changes include:

  • 2 new entries for maximum residue levels in Schedule 1
  • 12 amended entries for maximum residue levels in Schedule 1.

Full details are in the consultation document. Submissions close at 5pm on 16 May 2025.

Consultation document

Proposals to amend the New Zealand Food Notice: Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds [PDF, 494 KB]

Related documents

WTO notification – NZL 783 – SPS notification – Proposals to Amend the Maximum Residue Levels [PDF, 203 KB]

Background information about MRLs

Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) are the maximum legal levels for residues of agricultural chemicals and veterinary medicines in food for sale in New Zealand. As new products and uses are registered, new MRLs are set and existing MRLs are adjusted as needed to ensure that residue levels remain as low as practicable without compromising the ability for the chemical to successfully do what is intended. Entries are also set and amended for compounds that do not require MRLs to manage residues in food.

The entries in the notice for MRLs and compounds for which MRLs do not apply are established for agricultural compounds to support Good Agricultural Practice in New Zealand while ensuring risks associated with food safety are effectively managed. MRLs may also be proposed to support the importation of food into New Zealand.

Making your submission

Email your feedback on the consultation document by 5pm on 16 May 2025 to ACVM.Consultation@mpi.govt.nz

For each compound you comment on, answer these questions:

  • Do you agree or disagree with the proposed addition or amendment?
  • Do you agree or disagree with the proposed MRL values?

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

MRL Amendments
New Zealand Food Safety
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand.

What to include

Make sure you tell us in your submission:

  • the title of the consultation document
  • your name and title
  • 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).

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

Posted on

Fisheries reform: proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act

Source:

Updates

12 March 2025 – Consultation extended 

The consultation has now been extended 2 more weeks. Send your feedback by 5pm on Friday 11 April 2025.

25 February 2025 – Presentation document added

Following the first session of the public online meeting on Monday 24 February 2025, the presentation document has been published.

See the presentation document

Have your say

Fisheries New Zealand wants your feedback on a package of proposals that will enhance value to fishers and better ensure sustainability. These proposed reforms will:

  • improve the responsiveness, efficiency, and certainty of decision-making
  • provide greater protection for on-board camera footage and ensure the on-board camera programme is workable
  • implement new rules for commercial fishers that set out when QMS (Quota Management System) fish must be landed and when they can be returned to the sea.

The consultation opened on 12 February and will close at 5pm on 11 April 2025.

Media release

Consultation opens on fisheries reforms – Beehive

Online public meetings

During the consultation period, we’ll be holding 4 public online meetings. At these sessions, we’ll give you a high-level presentation on the proposals and you’ll have a chance to ask questions.

  • Session 1 – Monday 24 February 2025, 6pm to 7pm
  • Session 2 – Monday 3 March 2025, 3pm to 4pm 
  • Session 3 – Thursday 13 March 2025, 3pm to 4pm
  • Session 4 – Wednesday 2 April 2025, 3pm to 4pm.

If you would like to attend one of the meetings, you must register.

Register for an online meeting – SurveyMonkey

We encourage you to read the consultation document before you attend.

Consultation document

Proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act 1996 [PDF, 2.4 MB]

Related documents

Proposed Amendments to the Fisheries Act Consultation Presentation 2025 [PDF, 482 KB]

Part 3 of the consultation document seeks input into how we plan to implement new rules for commercial fishers that set out when QMS species must be landed and when they can be returned to the sea. Further detail on one of the proposals is in the supplementary information document.

Proposed adjustments to Total Allowable Catch settings for stocks where a current landing exception is removed [PDF, 585 KB]

Fisheries reform work programme – Cabinet paper [PDF, 1.1 MB]

Proposed Changes to the Fisheries Act 1996 Consultation – Cabinet paper [PDF, 1 MB]

Why we’re making these changes

The Government has made commitments to lift New Zealand’s productivity and economic growth – increasing opportunities and prosperity for all New Zealanders, including the seafood sector.

We now have access to better quality and more frequent data through electronic reporting by fishers and verification of some of this data by onboard cameras and fisheries observers.

The proposed changes respond to the Government’s goals and take advantage of new data and analytical tools to improve how we manage New Zealand’s fisheries.

Making your submission

We must get your feedback by 5pm on Friday 11 April 2025. We’d prefer you used our online survey form but you can also email or post a submission. 

Online submission form – SurveyMonkey

Email

Email your submissions to fish.reform@mpi.govt.nz

Post

Post your written submission to:

Fisheries Policy Team
Policy and Trade Branch
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526 Wellington 6140
New Zealand.

What to include in your email and postal submission

Make sure you tell us:

  • the title of the consultation document [‘Proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act 1996’]
  • your name and title
  • 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).

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

Posted on

Proposed changes to cost recovery settings: 2025 annual review

Source:

Have your say

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) seeks your feedback on increases to:

  • the Dairy Standards Processor Levy and the Dairy Exporter Levy
  • veterinary service fees for establishments
  • veterinary service fees for live animal imports and exports, including germplasm
  • the Raw Milk Levy
  • the Homekill Levy.

We’re also proposing 6 relatively small design changes to ensure appropriate charging for the services provided.

Summaries of the proposals are on this page and full details are in the consultation document.

Consultation opened on 5 February and we must get your submissions by 5pm on 7 March 2025.

Consultation document

Annual review 2025: Proposed changes to MPI’s cost recovery settings [PDF, 1.9 MB]

What’s being proposed?

Fee/levy Current rate Proposed rate

Dairy Standards Processor Levy total revenue per annum 

$4,279,580

$5,576,268

Dairy Exporter Levy revenue per annum 

$834,567

$1,541,334

Establishments fees (vets) per hour

$128.15

$152.42 or $155.80

Establishments fees (supervising vets) per hour

$136.45

$169.89 or $173.71

Veterinary service fees for live animal imports and exports, including germplasm per hour

$186.30

$216.84

Raw Milk Levy per annum

$581.25

2% increases per annum for 3 years.

$616.83 by 2027–28.

Homekill Levy per annum

$100

2% increases per annum for 3 years.

$106.12 by 2027–28.

Summaries of proposed regulatory design changes to 6 other cost recovery settings

1. Clearance of increased regulatory interest and high regulatory interest foods (for example, frozen berries)

Regulations currently include an administration activity fee for importing of increased regulatory interest food or high regulatory interest food. Under the regulations, charging is specified as being for “each consignment”. The administration activity is often done for groups of consignments, for example, where a group of consignments comes from a single origin, rather than for each consignment within that group. This saves time and reduces the bill for the importer. It is proposed to amend the regulations to clarify that charging is done for “each consignment or group of consignments of a single origin”.

2. Levy waiver relating to the former Meat Industry Initiative Fund

Regulations state amounts to be charged for a now-ended Meat Initiative Fund. A permanent waiver is in place so that these amounts are not actually charged. The design change proposes to replace the waiver with a change to the regulations to clarify that these charges have ceased.

3. Food export exemptions

It is proposed to add a new charge of $135 per application plus $33.75 per quarter hour beyond the first hour to recover the cost of the work undertaken by MPI officials to process exemption requests under section 347 of the Food Act 2014. For example, if food is destined solely for export, it should comply with standards in the destination market and could be given an exemption from meeting New Zealand standards where these differ from those prevailing in the destination market. The new fee will increase revenue by about $34,000 per annum.

4. Agent collection rate (Domestic Food Business Levy)

A change is proposed to clarify that the $11 collection charge for the Domestic Food Business Levy currently described in regulation is GST-exclusive. Charges in regulations are routinely recorded as GST-exclusive because businesses are generally the one charged and claim back GST (the price businesses are concerned about is the GST-exclusive price). This will also future-proof charges in case of future GST changes. This charge was intended to be GST-exclusive.

5. Animal products: charges for use of electronic system

The proposal is to amend the Animal Products (Dairy Industry Fees, Charges, and Levies) Regulations 2015 and Animal Products (Fees, Charges, and Levies) Regulations 2007, to enable certification costs to be recovered at the same level during 2025–26, as the certification system transitions from the AP e-cert system to the new trade certification system. The proposals include removing the “cost per second” component of the charging formula, and to amend the definition of “cost per request” as the cost per second component is not compatible with how the new system will operate.

6. Food Importer Levy

Three changes are proposed to the new Food Importer Levy. The changes improve efficiency around who pays, what data is used in the calculation of the levy, and the due date for levy payment. The changes reflect original intentions when the Food Importer Levy was approved last year, but which were not given effect at the time. The changes are as follows:

  • extend the levy to importers who are registered but who do not import any amount of food. Despite importing no food, these importers generate some cost by interacting with the food safety system
  • charge importers at the start of each financial year according to their import amounts from the previous year. This is expected to reduce administration costs for importers and MPI.

We also propose to standardise the date the levy is payable to within 20 working days of the date of the annual levy invoice.

Making a submission

We welcome submissions on the proposals contained in the consultation document. Submissions must be received by 5pm on 7 March 2025.

You can make a submission by completing a submission form and either:

  • sending it to us by email, or
  • posting it to us.

Cost recovery submission form [DOCX, 110 KB]

How to submit your completed form by email

Attach your completed form to an email and send it to costrecovery@mpi.govt.nz

How to submit your completed form by post

Post your completed submission form to:

Cost Recovery Directorate I Corporate Branch
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

Posted on

Proposed changes to the import health standard for bovine germplasm

Source:

Have your say

From 15 January to 15 March 2025, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invites comment on proposed changes to the Bovine Germplasm Import Health Standard (IHS).

The short code for the import health standard is BOVIGERM.GEN

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

What is being proposed?

The standard currently covers import conditions for bovine semen and bovine in vivo derived embryos. We are proposing an amendment to expand the scope to include bovine in vitro produced embryos in response to interest from importers and market trends. We are also proposing some minor updates to the existing import conditions for bovine semen and bovine in vivo derived embryos to align with WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health) recommendations and provide more clarity.

The proposed amendments

Overall, we are proposing to amend the standard by:

  • adding conditions for the importation of bovine in vitro produced embryos
  • removing the import permit requirement for all bovine germplasm
  • changing references of cattle to “animals” throughout the IHS to cover other relevant bovine species. More information about this change is in the ‘Bovine germplasm guidance document’.

For bovine semen, we’re proposing to:

  • add options for the management of enzootic bovine leukosis
  • clarify the test options for BVDV2
  • add semen testing and donor treatment options for the management of leptospirosis
  • change semen donor testing requirements for the management of Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis
  • remove the condition for donors to never have had a confirmed positive result for Q fever when semen is tested directly
  • remove the antibiotic treatment option for the management of Mycoplasma bovis in semen
  • add a definition for semen collection.

For bovine in vivo derived embryos, we’re proposing to:

  • clarify the test options for BVDV2
  • align the import conditions for lumpy skin disease with WOAH recommendations
  • add embryo testing and donor treatment options for the management of leptospirosis
  • remove the requirement for embryo donors to be free of TB signs 24 hours prior to collection
  • require the semen used to produce the embryos to meet the import conditions for Mycoplasma bovis.

Consultation documents

Draft Bovine Germplasm Import Health Standard [PDF, 500 KB]

Bovine germplasm IHS guidance document [PDF, 530 KB]

Risk management proposal for importing bovine germplasm [PDF, 561 KB]

Related documents

WTO notification [PDF, 80 KB]

Making your submission

Email your feedback on the draft before 5pm on 15 March 2025 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:

Bovine germplasm IHS consultation, Animals and Animal Products Import Standards
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.

Steps to finalising the new IHS

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 the Director-General of MPI 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. A 6-month transition period will be implemented during which time either the old or new import requirements can be used. After this period, the new import requirements in the IHS must be followed.

For more information about reviews refer to Section 24 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 – NZ Legislation

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

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.

Posted on

Draft Animal Products Notice: Dairy Preparedness and Response: Foot and Mouth Disease Incursion (Regulated Control Scheme)

Source:

Have your say

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is seeking feedback on a proposed Animal Products Notice: Dairy Preparedness and Response: Foot and Mouth Disease Incursion (Regulated Control Scheme).

The purpose of the Notice is to enable a regulated control scheme for dairy processors for export, so that processors can maintain business continuity with a high level of assurance in the event of an incursion of foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV).

Background to this consultation

In March of 2023, MPI started working to develop a mechanism that would allow milk collection, transport, processing, and export to continue in the event of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD), with the following objectives:

  • to facilitate trade negotiation with a high degree of assurance for trading partners
  • to enable export dairy processors to continue operations with minimal disruption and to obtain an exemption from movement controls
  • to provide clear and scientifically sound measures to prevent transmission between farms and contamination of the product from dairy operations.

To help achieve these objectives, MPI has developed this Notice. It enables a regulated control scheme under the Animal Products Act 1999 and sets out export requirements for dairy processors that supply their products overseas.

Discussion document

Animal Products Notice: Milk Collection and Processing for Export During a Foot and Mouth Disease Virus Incursion (Regulated Control Scheme) [PDF, 261 KB]

Draft Animal Products Notice

Dairy Preparedness and Response: Foot and Mouth Disease Incursion (Regulated Control Scheme) [PDF, 508 KB]

Making your submission

Submissions close at 5pm on 14 February 2025.

To help make your submission, we encourage you to use our submission template.

Submission template [DOCX, 65 KB]

Email your submission to animal.products@mpi.govt.nz

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

New Zealand Food Safety
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.

What to include in your submission

If you are using the feedback form, make sure to include:

  • the name of the consultation document you are submitting on
  • your name and title
  • 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).

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

Posted on

Proposed changes to the import health standard for importing cats and dogs

Source:

Update – 5 March

The closing date for this consultation has been extended. We’re now accepting submissions until 5pm on Friday 21 March.

Have your say

From 13 January to 21 March 2025, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invites comment on proposed changes to the Cat and Dog Import Health Standard (CATSDOGS.GEN).

In 2021, we also asked for your feedback about changes to the standard.

However, those proposed changes were not implemented because of concerns about fraudulence relating to the rabies and residency import requirements.

Since then, we’ve reviewed the rabies and residency requirements and completed further risk work on Brucella canis and Babesia spp.

2021 consultation: Proposed new import health standard (IHS) for cats and dogs

Changes to the proposed IHS since the 2021 consultation are outlined in the ‘Review of submissions’. Full details are in the consultation documents.

Summary of proposals

In this consultation, the proposed amendments cover 4 topics.

Brucella canis

Increase the timeframe for testing.

For mated dogs:

  • test the dog that naturally mated the dog for export, or the dog that produced semen for artificial breeding
  • test a sample of semen used to breed the dog for export.

Babesia gibsoni and rossi

  • Increase the timeframe for testing.  
  • Increase the number of PCR tests from 2 to 3 and reduce the timeframe between each test.
  • Test dogs younger than 6 months of age with PCR tests.
  • Post-arrival inspection includes a check for evidence of recent bites.

Pre-export identification check

Addition of pre-export identification checks by an official veterinarian prior to the rabies titration test.

Transit

Remove the previous proposal to allow transit through non-categorised countries.

Consultation documents 

Import Health Standard: Cats and Dogs (IHS) [PDF, 1.5 MB]

Risk Management Proposal (RMP) [PDF, 591 KB]

Related documents

Review of submissions (from first consultation in 2021) [PDF, 696 KB]

Current Import Health Standard for Cats and Dogs: Cats and Dogs [PDF, 287 KB]

Current guidance document: Cats and dogs [PDF, 521 KB]

WTO notification [PDF, 158 KB]

Making your submission

Email your feedback on the draft before 5pm on 21 March 2025 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 Approvals and Advice
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.

Any subsequent changes to the IHS will be noted in a second review of submissions prior to the IHS being finalised.

Steps to finalising the new IHS

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 the Director-General of MPI 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. A 6-month transition period will be implemented during which time either the old or new import requirements can be used. After this period, the new import requirements in the IHS must be followed.

For more information about reviews refer to Section 24 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 – NZ Legislation

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

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.

Posted on

Controls lifted at poultry farm after virus eradicated

Source:

Movement controls have been lifted from Mainland Poultry’s Hillgrove Farm in Otago, after the successful eradication of H7N6 strain of high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) says Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) chief veterinary officer Dr Mary Van Andel.

When HPAI H7N6 was detected in poultry at the property in early December, the Ministry for Primary Industries moved swiftly to stamp out the virus.

“While there is still work to be done, the lifting of movement controls is a significant milestone in the response and means that Mainland Poultry can begin the process of returning to business,” says Dr van Andel.

“We’re grateful to Mainland Poultry, which did the right thing in notifying us as soon as an exotic disease was suspected and for working with us in partnership to successfully stamp out this disease.”

MPI immediately put strict movement controls on the property to prevent goods or anything else that might be carrying the virus leaving the property.

Dr van Andel says more than 5,600 tests were carried out on samples from poultry and wild birds, including from 36 flocks across 5 farms linked to Mainland’s Hillgrove property. HPAI was not found anywhere other than Hillgrove, giving confidence that the disease had been contained and stamped out.

Chickens on the farm were humanely euthanised and disposed of in a secure landfill, along with eggs, litter and manure from the farm. This was followed by an extensive cleaning and disinfection process.

“The processes we have followed – depopulation and disposal, decontamination of the site and extensive surveillance – give us confidence that the virus has been eradicated.”

MPI staff will continue to support Mainland as the farm is repopulated.

“Good progress is being made to restore trade, with around $300 million of trade in poultry products recovered to date.”

MPI has worked with overseas government counterparts and industry partners in New Zealand to meet market requirements and has also proposed alternative assurances to some markets. MPI continues to work towards the reopening of trade for others.

Dr van Andel says testing indicates that the infection at Hillgrove is likely to have occurred after free-range laying hens foraging outside were exposed to wild birds with a low pathogenicity (LPAI) virus strain, which then mutated in the hens to become HPAI.

“This is the first time such an event in New Zealand has been documented and our first case of HPAI. We’ve learned a lot from this response that will help us to prepare for HPAI H5N1 if it spreads here.”

Read more about the latest update at our website: A strain of bird flu (H7N6) in Otago

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.