Category: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Biosecurity New Zealand welcomes 23 new quarantine officers and four new detector dog handlers this month, bolstering the country’s frontline protection against pests and diseases in time for the pre-Christmas mail rush and peak international visitor season.

Biosecurity New Zealand’s Northern Regional Commissioner, Michael Inglis, says the quarantine officers graduated in Auckland today after completing a 12-week training programme.

“The training gives the officers a comprehensive understanding of the threats to our environment and primary industries, and the skills they need to inspect and make biosecurity clearance decisions about goods accompanying travellers to New Zealand,” Mr Inglis says.

“The new recruits are introduced to the role that quarantine officers play as guardians for our way of life.”

All of the new quarantine officers will initially be deployed at Auckland International Airport. To bolster ranks across the motu, an additional 19 officers (eight in Christchurch, seven in Wellington and four in Queenstown) will graduate early next month.

The new detector dog handlers will join Biosecurity New Zealand’s border team next week, after graduating from their own 12-week training programme. The trainees have been learning together how to manage the demands of detection in busy international airports and mail centres.

Two of the handlers will start work in Auckland, either at the airport or International Mail Centre. The remaining two will be deployed at Wellington and Christchurch airports.

“The new officers and handlers will play a critical part in protecting our economy and precious natural environment from potentially harmful pests and diseases,” Mr Inglis adds.

In addition to future-proofing its two-legged border team in these ways, Biosecurity New Zealand is delighted to announce the recent arrival a new litter of four-legged detection recruits.

Last month, Mistral delivered four healthy pups – three girls and a boy. All are progressing well and, as they grow, will gradually be introduced to the environments and disciplines that will make them top-class pest and disease detectors.

This summer, a key focus for Biosecurity New Zealand’s frontline staff is keeping out pests and diseases that could have a devastating impact on our economy and environment – things like exotic fruit flies and brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB).

“These potential intruders are especially active in summer and pose a direct threat to our hard-working growers and farmers, who underpin rural communities and our economic wellbeing,” Mr Inglis says.

“We urge all travellers entering the country to be vigilant and follow all biosecurity instructions carefully.”

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

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

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is fighting back against superbugs – antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – and we need your help. 

“The World Health Organization has identified AMR as one of the top 10 global health threats facing humanity,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

“World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, which begins tomorrow, recognises that this serious issue will need a global effort to manage. This year’s theme is ‘preventing antimicrobial resistance together’.”

AMR occurs when microbes, or germs, develop resistance to medicines, such as antibiotics. Antimicrobial medicines are critical to human, animal, and plant health, as well as the environment, but they lose effectiveness over time if they are not properly handled and disposed of.

“Antibiotic medicines are essential to the health of humans, animals, and plants. If they are not used properly, diseases can develop resistance, which makes the medicine less effective,” says Mr Arbuckle.

“Everyone has a role to play to ensure the appropriate use and disposal of antibiotics in their care to prevent the spread of AMR in humans, animals, plants, and the environment.

“New Zealand Food Safety works to reduce AMR risks in domestic animals, livestock and plants with a dedicated team that works with the New Zealand veterinary and primary industry sectors to promote careful use of antibiotics and encourage infection prevention strategies such as good hygiene and vaccination, and undertake surveillance for resistance in bacteria collected from animal samples.”

Here’s what pet owners and livestock farmers can do to help reduce the risk:

• Take measures to keep animals healthy, such as keeping up them up to date with vaccinations and using good hygiene and biosecurity.
• If antibiotics are needed, closely follow the instructions outlined by your veterinarian. Make sure you give the correct dose, at the right time of day, and for the prescribed duration.
• Wash your hands after dosing and handling animals.
• Make sure your animal completes the prescribed course. If for some reason you are unable to complete the course, let your veterinarian know so they can help you.
• Never keep antibiotics for future use because each infection and animal need unique treatment.
• Dispose of the empty containers appropriately to help keep the environment safe.

“In further good news, our 2022 Antibiotic agricultural compound sales analysis shows quantities of antibiotics used in animals have been declining for the last 5 years, with a 23% reduction. However we need to continue our efforts to preserve the effectiveness of lifesaving medicines,” says Mr Arbuckle. 

Media release: Sales of antibiotics used in animals and plants down by nearly a quarter

New Zealand Food Safety takes a One Health approach to AMR, working closely with the Ministry of Health including on the joint New Zealand antimicrobial resistance action plan – with an updated plan due for publication in 2024.

New Zealand antimicrobial resistance action plan [PDF, 836KB]

Find out more

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is extending its advisory to the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from the East Coast of the North Island due to the presence of paralytic shellfish toxins.

“We have extended the existing warning from East Cape all the way south to Blackhead Point, just north of Pōrangahau, after follow-up tests on mussels from Waimarama Beach showed levels of paralytic shellfish toxins 3 times the safe limit,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

“Please do not gather and eat shellfish from this area because anyone doing so could get sick. Affected shellfish include bivalve shellfish such as mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles, and scallops, as well as pūpū (cat’s eyes), Cook’s turban and kina (sea urchin).

“We are monitoring an algal bloom off the East Coast, which is spreading. This type of algae produces a dangerous toxin and when shellfish filter-feed, these toxins can accumulate in their gut and flesh. Generally, the more algae there are in the water, the more toxic the shellfish get.  

“Cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxin, so shellfish from this area should not be eaten.”

See a map of the warning for East Cape

Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning usually appear within 10 minutes to 3 hours of eating and may include:

• numbness and a tingling (prickly feeling) around the mouth, face, hands, and feet
• difficulty swallowing or breathing
• dizziness and headache
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhoea
• paralysis and respiratory failure and, in severe cases, death.

Pāua, crab, and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed, its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.

Finfish are not affected by this public health warning, but we advise gutting the fish and discarding the liver before cooking.

New Zealand Food Safety has had no notifications of associated illness.

If anyone becomes ill after eating shellfish from an area where a public health warning has been issued, phone Healthline for advice on 0800 61 11 16, or seek medical attention immediately. You are also advised to contact your nearest public health unit and keep any leftover shellfish in case it can be tested.

“New Zealand Food Safety is monitoring shellfish in the region and will notify the public of any changes to the situation,” says Mr Arbuckle.

Commercially harvested shellfish – sold in shops and supermarkets or exported – is subject to strict water and flesh monitoring programmes by New Zealand Food Safety to ensure they are safe to eat.

Find out more

See signage in the affected area.

Shellfish biotoxin alerts

Subscribe to shellfish biotoxins to receive email alerts

Collecting shellfish and keeping them safe [PDF, 1.4 MB]

Causes and symptoms of toxic shellfish poisoning

About toxic algal blooms

Food safety for seafood gatherers booklet [PDF, 1.2 MB]

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Have your say

The New Zealand Total Diet Study aims to evaluate the risk to New Zealanders from exposure to certain chemicals such as agricultural chemicals, contaminants, and nutrients in a range of foods most commonly eaten in a typical diet. The 2024 NZTDS will focus on New Zealand infants and toddlers, one of our most vulnerable population groups.

We are seeking feedback on the proposed chemicals selected for monitoring, the proposed key foods list, and overall proposed approach for the 2024 NZTDS.

Consultation opens on Wednesday 15 November and closes at 5pm on Friday 15 December 2023.

Consultation documents

Consultation paper: 2024 New Zealand Total Diet Study [PDF, 1.2 MB]

Related information

Total Diet Study

What’s being proposed?

For the first time, the 2024 NZTDS will focus on New Zealand infants and toddlers, one of our most vulnerable population groups. The study will involve sampling foods most commonly consumed by infants and toddlers (six months to four years of age) and analysing these foods for certain agricultural chemicals, contaminants, nutrients, and other chemicals of interest, for example those from food packaging. We then estimate infants’ and toddlers’ exposure to these chemicals through consumption of foods, and compare this with health-based guidance values to identify if certain chemicals are a concern in the diet.

It is intended that sampling and testing of foods will commence in early 2024 and will continue over a year long period. Results of the study are expected to be published in 2026.

Making your submission

Email your feedback on the consultation paper by 5pm on Friday 15 December 2023 to 2024NZTDS@mpi.govt.nz

A template is available to help you complete your submission.

Submission form template [DOCX, 21 KB]

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

2024 New Zealand Total Diet Study Consultation
New Zealand Food Safety
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.

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).

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is advising the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from the Northland east coast because of paralytic shellfish toxins.

In addition, it has extended an existing shellfish biotoxin warning from Cape Kidnappers right up to East Cape.

“Routine tests on mussels from Houhora have shown levels of paralytic shellfish toxins over the safe limit,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

The warning extends from Cape Karikari north to Kokota (the Sandspit), just south of Parengarenga Harbour.

The current warning in Hawkes Bay has now been extended to extend from Cape Kidnappers right up to East Cape. Levels of paralytic shellfish toxins are increasing and the latest results from Tolaga Bay mussels have risen dramatically and are now 11 times over the safe limit.

As algal blooms increase in size, the levels of toxins in shellfish can reach higher levels.

“Please do not gather and eat shellfish from these affected areas because anyone doing so could get seriously sick.”

“Cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxin, so shellfish from these areas should not be eaten.”

See a map of the warning for Northland region

See a map of the warning for East Cape

Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning usually appear within 10 minutes to 3 hours of eating and may include:

• numbness and a tingling (prickly feeling) around the mouth, face, hands, and feet
• difficulty swallowing or breathing
• dizziness and headache
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhoea
• paralysis and respiratory failure and, in severe cases, death.

Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed, its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.

New Zealand Food Safety has had no notifications of associated illness.

If anyone becomes ill after eating shellfish from an area where a public health warning has been issued, phone Healthline for advice on 0800 61 11 16, or seek medical attention immediately. You are also advised to contact your nearest public health unit and keep any leftover shellfish in case it can be tested.

“New Zealand Food Safety is monitoring shellfish in the region and will notify the public of any changes to the situation,” says Mr Arbuckle.

Commercially harvested shellfish – sold in shops and supermarkets or exported – is subject to strict water and flesh monitoring programmes by New Zealand Food Safety to ensure they are safe to eat.

Find out more

See signage in the affected area.

Shellfish biotoxin alerts

Subscribe to shellfish biotoxins to receive email alerts

Collecting shellfish and keeping them safe [PDF, 1.4 MB]

Causes and symptoms of toxic shellfish poisoning

About toxic algal blooms

Food safety for seafood gatherers booklet [PDF, 1.2 MB]

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New biosecurity protections against the spread of the freshwater gold clam come into effect for Te Arawa lakes at midday on Friday 10 November 2023, including special measures to protect Lake Ōkataina.

“The new protections, applied through a mechanism under the Biosecurity Act called a Controlled Area Notice (CAN), are in place to prevent this clam from making its way out of the Waikato River and from spreading to neighbouring Te Arawa lakes,” says deputy director-general Biosecurity New Zealand Stuart Anderson.

“The lakes are at heightened risk of the new-to-New Zealand clam species, being about an hour’s drive from the 99-kilometre section of the Waikato River where the pest was found in May this year.

“Extensive surveillance by Biosecurity New Zealand indicates that our measures to date to stop the spread have been successful.”

Mr Anderson says Lake Ōkataina, which was closed under a temporary CAN on 1 October, will re-open to boaties, who must clean their boat and trailer at a designated wash station in Rotorua before entering the water. The clean must take place on the same day, and boaties must head directly to the lake from the wash station. Access to Lake Ōkataina will be controlled and the lake will be open Friday to Sunday 6.30am to 7pm. 

Before entering any of the Te Arawa lakes, boaties who have been in the Waikato River in the previous 30 days need to clean their boat at the designated wash station.

Mr Anderson says the new measures are in addition to the clam-specific Check Clean Dry requirements for any boats that have been in the Waikato River.

Freshwater gold clam (Corbicula fluminea)

“The protection for Lake Ōkataina is stronger because it is of cultural significance to Ngāti Tarāwhai. For this reason, the lake was closed to all boating and fishing while these measures were put in place and a suitable wash station was found,” says Mr Anderson.

“We thank fishers and boaties for their patience while we put these protections and arrangements in place. We also thank Fish & Game, Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Ngāti Tarāwhai Iwi and local council for their support and assistance with implementing the new CAN requirements.”

The designated wash station is at The Wash Place, 338 Te Ngae Road, Rotorua. The Wash Place is a commercial facility and there will be a cost, depending on the length of the cycle chosen.

Payment facilities are available for debit and credit cards, and coins. Boaties are required to complete an online form (accessed via a QR code or website address provided at the wash station) to prove they have completed the required wash-down before they can enter the lake.

“Wash stations are just one tool to help prevent the spread of the clams. It is critical that boaties check, clean, and dry their gear if they have been in the infested part of the Waikato River or lakes and before moving to another waterway,” says Mr Anderson.

“These requirements mean people can enjoy the Te Arawa lakes while keeping the freshwater gold clam out. We thank fishers and boaties for their patience during this time.”

Signs outlining these requirements under the new CAN will be at Lake Ōkataina and all other lakes impacted by the CAN soon. For information on the lake status, such as closures due to lake levels, people should check with the Rotorua Lakes Council, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, and the Te Arawa Lakes Trust.

Rotorua Lakes Council

Bay of Plenty Regional Council

Te Arawa Lakes Trust

Biosecurity New Zealand is working through options for further measures to stop the spread of the freshwater gold clams in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, including working with partners to make additional wash stations available.

More information about the clam and the biosecurity measures in place can be found at Freshwater gold clam (Corbicula fluminea)

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

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

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Have your say

From 2 November to 14 December 2023, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invites comment on proposed changes to the import health standard for importing dried and preserved plant materials.

We propose removing the import requirements for all consignments of Pacific-style handwoven mats or tapa cloth mats (including fine mats) from the import health standard (IHS). This involves removing the requirements for:

1. an official phytosanitary certificate or inspection in New Zealand
2. mats to be made from specific plants.

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

Consultation document

Risk Management Proposal – Amendment to the Import Health Standard: Dried and Preserved Plant Materials [PDF, 491 KB]

Related document

Draft IHS Dried and Preserved Plant Material [PDF, 431 KB]

Making your submission

Email your feedback on the draft by 5pm on 14 December 2023 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:

Plant Product Imports (Animal and Plant Health Directorate)
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 we have considered all submissions, there is a 10-day period which provides submitters with the opportunity to examine any changes to the IHS which have resulted from consultation. An independent review (under section 24 of the Biosecurity Act 1993) may be requested in this period if a submitter considers scientific evidence they raised during their submission has not received sufficient consideration. If there is no review, the IHS becomes final after 10 days.

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.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Have your say

From 2 November to 14 December 2023, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invites comment on proposed changes to the import health standard for importing grain and seeds for consumption, feed, or processing.

The proposed changes to the import health standard (IHS) are:

1. requiring maize grain imported into New Zealand to be dried to a moisture content of 14% or less before export
2. removing 11 pathogens from the list of regulated pests for maize.

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

Consultation document

Risk Management Proposal – Amendment to the IHS: Grain and Seeds for Consumption, Feed, or Processing [PDF, 462 KB]

Related document

Draft IHS: Grain and Seeds for Consumption, Feed, or Processing [PDF, 1.4 MB]

Making your submission

Email your feedback on the draft by 5pm on 14 December 2023 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:

Plant Product Imports (Animal and Plant Health Directorate)
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 we have considered all submissions, there is a 10-day period which provides submitters with the opportunity to examine any changes to the IHS which have resulted from consultation. An independent review (under section 24 of the Biosecurity Act 1993) may be requested in this period if a submitter considers scientific evidence, they raised during their submission has not received sufficient consideration. If there is no review, the IHS becomes final after 10 days.

Find out more about the review 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.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is advising the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from Hawke Bay due to the presence of toxins.

“Routine tests on mussels from Pania Reef in Napier have shown levels of paralytic shellfish toxins over the safe limit,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle. The warning extends from Cape Kidnappers, north to Mohaka River.

“Please do not gather and eat shellfish from this area because anyone doing so could get sick. Cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxin.”

See a map of the warning

Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning usually appear within 10 minutes to 3 hours of eating and may include:

• numbness and a tingling (prickly feeling) around the mouth, face, hands, and feet
• difficulty swallowing or breathing
• dizziness and headache
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhoea
• paralysis and respiratory failure and, in severe cases, death.

Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed, its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.

New Zealand Food Safety has had no notifications of associated illness.

If anyone becomes ill after eating shellfish from an area where a public health warning has been issued, phone Healthline for advice on 0800 61 11 16, or seek medical attention immediately. You are also advised to contact your nearest public health unit and keep any leftover shellfish in case it can be tested.

“New Zealand Food Safety is monitoring shellfish in the region and will notify the public of any changes to the situation,” says Mr Arbuckle.

Commercially harvested shellfish – sold in shops and supermarkets or exported – is subject to strict water and flesh monitoring programmes by New Zealand Food Safety to ensure they are safe to eat.

Find out more

See signage in the affected area.

Shellfish biotoxin alerts

Subscribe to shellfish biotoxins to receive email alerts

Collecting shellfish and keeping them safe [PDF, 1.4 MB]

Causes and symptoms of toxic shellfish poisoning

About toxic algal blooms

Food safety for seafood gatherers booklet [PDF, 1.2 MB]

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is advising the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from Hawke’s Bay due to the presence of toxins.

“Routine tests on mussels from Pania Reef in Napier have shown levels of paralytic shellfish toxins over the safe limit,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle. “The warning extends from Cape Kidnappers, north to Mohaka River”.

“Please do not gather and eat shellfish from this area because anyone doing so could get sick. Cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxin.”

See a map of the warning

Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning usually appear within 10 minutes to 3 hours of eating and may include:

• numbness and a tingling (prickly feeling) around the mouth, face, hands, and feet
• difficulty swallowing or breathing
• dizziness and headache
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhoea
• paralysis and respiratory failure and, in severe cases, death.

Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed, its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.

New Zealand Food Safety has had no notifications of associated illness.

If anyone becomes ill after eating shellfish from an area where a public health warning has been issued, phone Healthline for advice on 0800 61 11 16, or seek medical attention immediately. You are also advised to contact your nearest public health unit and keep any leftover shellfish in case it can be tested.

“New Zealand Food Safety is monitoring shellfish in the region and will notify the public of any changes to the situation,” says Mr Arbuckle.

Commercially harvested shellfish – sold in shops and supermarkets or exported – is subject to strict water and flesh monitoring programmes by New Zealand Food Safety to ensure they are safe to eat.

Find out more

See signage in the affected area.

Shellfish biotoxin alerts

Subscribe to shellfish biotoxins to receive email alerts

Collecting shellfish and keeping them safe [PDF, 1.4 MB]

Causes and symptoms of toxic shellfish poisoning

About toxic algal blooms

Food safety for seafood gatherers booklet [PDF, 1.2 MB]