Category: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is investing in the development of an integrated pest management approach to safeguard New Zealand’s maize and sweetcorn industries against fall armyworm.

“We’re collaborating with the Foundation for Arable Research, Process Vegetables NZ, Vegetables NZ Inc, and growers on management and mitigation strategies to help reduce production losses and enhance resilience to this invasive pest,” says Biosecurity New Zealand deputy director-general Stuart Anderson.

“Together we’ll develop some really good tools for growers, including establishing surveillance networks on a national scale.”

Fall armyworm is believed to have blown over to New Zealand from Australia after a cyclone in early 2022. After a year of battling the pest, MPI and industry partners agreed to close the response and shift the focus to long-term management of the pest by industry. Fall armyworm has the potential to impact 72,490 hectares of maize, with an estimated value of more than $480 million and 3,320 hectares of sweetcorn production, with an export value of $36.9 million.

“We don’t know what the full impact of the fall armyworm incursion will be in the future as it depends largely on our winter temperatures and suitable host plants in the absence of maize and sweetcorn,” says Ashley Mills, biosecurity officer, Foundation for Arable Research (FAR).

“For instance, in areas with warmer winter temperatures such as Northland, the insect has the capacity to overwinter and survive all year round. With warming temperatures, we might expect the problem to grow year on year.

“Part of our research will be to identify gaps of knowledge around the winter growing season and dispersal of fall armyworm.

“We’ll produce models and come up with early warning tools for agronomists and growers, so they understand when they need to employ their most intensive management strategies.

“There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, and approaches may vary according to factors such as region, climate or soil type. In most cases, encouraging beneficial insects will work, but in more problematic regions or localities, insecticides might be needed, and the timing of application will be important.

“Over the next 3 years we’ll focus on understanding fall armyworm phenology and distribution, developing New Zealand specific economic thresholds and finding long-term solutions that reduce reliance on agrichemicals, and preserve soil health, water quality and biodiversity.”

FAR and Vegetables NZ Inc will host information and tools for fall armyworm management on their websites. This will include modelling, distribution maps, guidelines, and training videos. FAR will also host workshops over winter, tailored to each region.

Stuart Anderson says engagement with growers will be an essential part of the programme.

“Ultimately, it’s the growers that will need to implement the strategies and use the tools. This project aims to make these easily available for everyone to use.”

MPI will contribute up to $300,000 over 3 years to the $630,000 project through the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund.

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.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Fisheries New Zealand is seeking feedback on proposed measures to mitigate risks to seabirds from data transmission cables on fishing trawlers.

This feedback will play a significant part in the decision to allow the use of data transmission cables or not.

“Data transmission cables attached to trawl nets provide information to fishers in real-time about what’s happening under the water, so they can fish more efficiently and reduce their environmental footprint,” says Fisheries New Zealand director fisheries management, Emma Taylor.

The use of data transmission cables on trawl vessels was banned in 1992 because of risks posed to seabirds.

“Birds were often attracted to fish waste being continually discarded from vessels, and while attempting to feed, birds would collide with deployed cables from the stern of vessels.

“In the 3 decades since the ban on these cables we have developed a better understanding about how to manage the risks they pose to seabirds. This includes practices to manage fish waste which attracts seabirds, using devices like tori lines to scare birds away, or bird bafflers that put a barrier between foraging birds and the vessel.”

The proposals to strengthen seabird protection from data transmission cables include:

• changes to improve fish waste management practices
• additional seabird scaring devices, such as bafflers or tori lines
• minimising the portion of cables above the waterline
• restrictions on the areas and times of year data transmission cables can be used.

The consultation also seeks feedback on amendments to reporting and monitoring requirements should the use of data transmission cables be allowed.

In 2022, Fisheries New Zealand consulted on lifting the ban on the use of data transmission cables.

Find out more about the 2022 proposals

Feedback from this consultation included that mitigation measures to protect seabirds should be reviewed before a decision on allowing data transmission cables is made.

“If data cables can be introduced with appropriate protections against seabird bycatch in place, the data gathered has the potential to support innovation and new technology to make fishing more efficient and reduce bycatch and harm to protected species.

“The consultation is open now, and we encourage everyone with an interest in the use of data transmission cables and seabird protection to have their say,” says Emma Taylor.

The consultation will run until 5pm on 9 August 2024.

More information, including how to make a submission

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.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Have your say

From 21 June to 20 August 2024, we invite comments on the proposed changes to the importation of nursery stock import health standard (155.02.06). The proposed changes are to manage the risks of viruses on Hoya plants for planting, specifically:

• the addition of phytosanitary measures for the management of Alstroemeria necrotic streak virus and tomato chlorotic spot virus on Hoya plant hosts, including options for off-shore and on-shore management
• the removal of the measures for Hoya undetermined tobamoviruses on Hoya plant hosts.

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

Consultation documents

Draft Nursery Stock IHS [PDF, 7.4 MB]

Risk management proposal – Hoya amendments [PDF, 489 KB]

Making your submission

Email your feedback by 5pm on 20 August 2024 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 Germplasm 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

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is investigating a Southland farm over poor grazing practices after some dairy cows were found stuck in mud.

Following a complaint, MPI animal welfare officers recently visited the farm in Riverton, near Invercargill, and found some 2,000 cattle on a property with substantial mud and insufficient water being supplied to the cattle, says MPI director of compliance and response, Glen Burrell.

“The welfare of the animals is always our number one priority. Unfortunately, in this instance, 5 dairy heifers had to be euthanised by animal welfare Inspectors on advice from private veterinarians. Two other heifers were euthanised by the farm manager.”

The farmer was directed under the Animal Welfare Act to relocate cattle and was provided further direction on how to reduce the impact of mud on cattle. A close veterinarian assessment of all cattle is being carried out.

“We’d remind all farmers that a well-planned winter grazing system supports good animal health and welfare. It ensures animals have sufficient and appropriate feed, access to plenty of clean water, and the ability to move freely to and from their feed and water.

“While most farmers work hard to do the right thing and have improved their winter grazing practices over recent years, this is an important reminder to plan ahead,” says Mr Burrell. 

The investigation of the Riverton farm is ongoing and MPI will consider further action in due course.

MPI animal welfare Inspectors work closely with Environment Southland on monitoring winter grazing – this includes joining aerial surveillance flights of farmland throughout the region.

“Where we find evidence that an animal is suffering or is likely to suffer, we will take action. The welfare of the animal will always be our priority, so we look for practical measures to correct the issue. 

“At the low end of the scale it could be the issuing of a directive to move stock or provide access to stand off areas away from the feeding area. For more serious issues we might bring in vets to make an independent assessment, require the farmer to bring in extra feed, and in the most serious cases taking a prosecution,” Mr Burrell says.

Animal welfare is everyone’s responsibility and MPI strongly encourages any member of the public who is aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty to report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone 0800 00 83 33.

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

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

An Auckland liquor importer and distributor have been fined $244,000 for attempting to sell thousands of bottles of illegal liquor and avoiding the rules in place to protect consumers.

Importer Golden Grand Trading Limited and distributor Mayajaal Holdings Limited were sentenced in the Auckland District Court in April following a successful prosecution by New Zealand Food Safety. Golden Grand Trading pleaded guilty to 3 charges under the Food Act 2014, including being an unregistered importer, and Mayajaal Holdings pleaded guilty to one charge under the Food Act.

The Judge’s reserved decision has been released. In the decision by Judge RJ Collins, Golden Grand Trading Limited was fined $142,000 and Mayajaal Holdings Limited was fined $102,000. Both companies were ordered to share costs of $36,000 for disposal of the alcohol.

The companies were investigated after allegations they were supplying illegal liquor to retailers between 2016 and 2019.

The offending included both companies recklessly possessing for sale or selling non-compliant alcohol involving some 5,534 bottles of imported liquor that had either no  lot codes or were stickered with a lot code that was not genuine. The liquor had an estimated retail value of $292,526. All liquor was seized by compliance investigators from their distribution warehouse. Another 30 bottles were recalled, 7 were seized from a liquor store and 2 other bottles from an online purchase were also seized.

New Zealand Food Safety deputy-director general, Vincent Arbuckle said lot codes are unique and laser-etched into the glass of the bottle or printed on the label. They ensure traceability in the event of a product recall and assure consumers that the product contents are genuine and have not been changed in any way.

“Label integrity matters and when businesses try to get around the rules, they are at best deceiving consumers, and at worst putting them at risk.

“In this case, a sample of the liquor was tested and showed that the product was genuine, but that doesn’t excuse the offending. Consumers deserve to know that the product they are consuming is safe and suitable and the lot numbers help provide that assurance.

“Also, if a recall was required, the lack of a lot code would make it difficult for us to trace affected product.

“We take this type of offending seriously and will take legal action to ensure businesses do the right thing by consumers.”

He says the companies tried to avoid being compliant with the rules to save money.

“Our investigators found the importers bought thousands of bottles of liquor with lot codes removed and that it was cheaper – by nearly 7.5%,” Mr Arbuckle said.

An aggravating feature of the offending was that Golden Grand Trading had in 2012 received a warning about importing liquor with non-compliant labelling following an investigation. It resulted in a large amount of alcohol being destroyed. Letters were also sent to Mayajaal Holdings about requirements under the Food Act.

As the liquor was non-compliant, an application to the court will be made to have the liquor destroyed at a specialised waste disposal plant.

Today’s sentence is part of a wider Ministry for Primary Industries compliance investigation called ‘Operation Spirit’. In 2022, another Auckland liquor importing company was fined more than $150,000 for also importing thousands of bottles of liquor that had lot codes removed or tampered with.

Media release: Liquor importers fined over $150,000 for trying to sell product without legitimate bottle labels (23 May 2022)

“Our responsibility is to consumers and their safety. People should expect to feel confident that all imported food is subject to consistently high safety standards and is fit for purpose. When we find evidence of non-compliance, such as lot codes being tampered with, we will take action, including removing products from shelves, and in serious cases, placing the offending before the courts,” says Mr Arbuckle.

“In August 2023, New Zealand Food Safety strengthened the requirements for all New Zealand food importers. The changes clarify the role and responsibilities of food importers when they bring food into New Zealand, to ensure that the food is safe and suitable for Kiwi consumers.

“We encourage all registered food importers to check the Ministry for Primary Industries website to make sure they are following the updated rules.”

The updated requirements can be found in the Requirements for Registered Food Importers and Imported Food for Sale.

Food notice: Requirements for registered food importers and imported food for sale [PDF, 382 KB]

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.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

The patrol work of about 200 volunteers is critical to keeping our fisheries sustainable and protected for future generations.

It’s National Volunteer Week and volunteers throughout the country, including Honorary Fishery Officers (HFOs) are being recognised for their selfless work.

National Volunteer Week

HFOs were first introduced in Auckland in 1967 as a way for people in the community to donate their time to help make a difference to local fisheries, says Fisheries New Zealand director fisheries compliance, Steve Ham.

“Nearly 60 years later there are about 200 HFOs working in communities around the country providing advice, conversation, and a watchful eye in the name of sustainability.

“Like a lot of volunteers, our HFOs are selfless people. They do this work voluntarily because they care about their community – our shared fishing resources and protecting them so that future generations can enjoy putting fresh kaimoana on the dinner table.

“A big part of what they do is talking to people, answering curious questions, and explaining the rules.”

These days each HFO contributes a minimum of 100 hours voluntary work a year to looking after recreational fishing areas. They’re put through intensive training, wear a uniform, and have a warrant under the Fisheries Act.

“Their work is critical to ensuring sustainability throughout all our fisheries. HFOs are front and centre on New Zealand’s coastlines, conducting between 18,000 and 22,500 inspections each year. They do around 40% of the recreational compliance work.

“They come from a range of backgrounds, but they all share a passion for our fisheries. If you see them out on the water or at the wharf, tell them how much you appreciate them. One of the best things all recreational fishers can do to understand the rules in their area is download the free NZ Fishing Rules mobile app before heading out.”

NZ fishing rules app

If you have questions about becoming an HFO, email HFO@mpi.govt.nz

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.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is advising the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from the Christchurch beaches and Lyttelton Harbour due to the presence of diarrhetic shellfish toxins.

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

The warning extends from Waimairi Beach to the southern head of Lyttelton Harbour (Adderley Head). The affected area includes Lyttelton Harbour and the Avon and Heathcote River Estuary.

“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).”

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

Symptoms of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning usually appear within 30 minutes of eating and last for about a day. Symptoms may include diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea and abdominal cramps.

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.

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.

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

Fisheries New Zealand is bringing in new rules that will significantly reduce the risk of seabirds, including critically threatened albatrosses, being caught accidentally by commercial fishers.

From 1 October, all commercial fishers using surface longline fishing methods will be required to either use special hook shielding devices or implement all 3 key seabird mitigations measures at the same time.

Fisheries New Zealand’s director fisheries management, Emma Taylor says the changes mean fishers who chose not to use hook shielding devices must use bird scaring devices called tori lines (streamers), as well as use line weighting to sink hooks faster, and set their gear at night.

The measures, known as ‘three out of three’ replace the current rules which require only 2 of the seabird mitigation measures.

“The new rules will strengthen protections for some of our most vulnerable seabirds, like albatrosses and petrels.

“With around 145 seabird species calling New Zealand’s waters home, we have one of the most diverse seabird communities in the world, and we want to make sure it stays that way.

“Fishers don’t go out to catch seabirds and these measures will help ensure that the surface longline fleet have the best chance of avoiding seabirds that are trying to sneak a feed off their hooks.

“While we acknowledge that many surface longline fishers have already adopted the use of hook shielding devices or use ‘three out of three’ at least some of the time, the new rules will ensure a consistent approach and further reduce fishing risks for these precious seabirds.

“Surface longline vessels have been operating onboard cameras since January this year.  Insights from the camera programme, along with feedback from public consultation and scientific modelling, have supported the decision for this rule change.

“We have systems to monitor the position of all commercial fishing vessels in real time, and fishers are legally required to report their catch and position to us electronically. Alongside this, onboard cameras provide independent verification of fishing activity, including accidental bycatch of protected species.

“Fisheries New Zealand and the Department of Conservation will be working closely with fishers to support them to transition to the new rules.

“Many seabird species found in New Zealand waters also travel widely beyond our borders. We continue to work with other countries, through international conventions, to reduce the effects of fishing on seabirds throughout the South Pacific and Southern Oceans,” Emma Taylor says.

More information about the consultation

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.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

About this consultation

All food produced for sale in New Zealand must comply with the applicable composition and labelling requirements of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, and certain New Zealand specific food standards.

Sometimes, New Zealand requirements for composition and/or labelling differ from the importing country’s requirements. In these cases, food businesses are currently required to submit an application to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to have their food export exempted from New Zealand composition and/or labelling requirements to meet the importing country requirements.

There are limitations with the current individual exemption process and this consultation seeks your feedback on some alternative options.

What is being proposed?

We’re proposing 3 options, alongside the status quo, to better enable food exporters to comply with overseas composition and/or labelling requirements.

• Option 1: Maintain the status quo. This option uses section 347 of the Food Act 2014 to continue to provide exemptions on an individual application/case-by-case basis. This approach means each exemption is specific to a particular food exported to a particular market.
• Option 2: An exemption in regulations for all food exports from New Zealand standards relating to composition and labelling, with conditions.
• Option 3: An exemption in regulations for all food exports from New Zealand standards relating to labelling (no conditions to be met) and composition (with conditions to be met, potentially including where health claims are made or government assurances are required).
• Option 4: An exemption in regulations for all food exports, with a differentiated approach for different classes of product or market. For example, foods that are intended for consumption by a higher-risk population group may have some specific conditions that are different from another class of products.

All options, except the status quo, propose creating new regulations under the Food Act 2014. The details for each option are set out in the discussion document. 

We welcome your feedback on the proposals. Submissions close on 26 July 2024.

Discussion document

Proposed options for export exemptions from New Zealand composition and/or labelling requirements under the Food Act 2014 [PDF, 1.4 MB]

Related information

Food Act 2014 – NZ Legislation

Making your submission

Email your feedback by 5pm on 26 July 2024 to food.policy@mpi.govt.nz

We recommend you use our template to help you complete your submission. The template includes questions to be answered.

Submission template [DOCX, 57 KB]

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

Consultation: Export exemptions from New Zealand composition and/or labelling requirements under the Food Act 2014
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand.

What to include in your submission

Put the title of the consultation document in the subject line of your email. In the template or your written submission document, also include:

• 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 part of it)
• your contact details (such as phone number, address, and email)
• your answers to the questions in the discussion document.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Have your say

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa has requested a 2-year closure over an area within Ōhiwa Harbour to the harvest of mussels, under section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996.

The request follows a mussel rejuvenation research project. Closing the proposed area will allow the mussel population the opportunity to recover free from harvesting.

Fisheries New Zealand invites written submissions from anyone who has an interest in the species concerned, or in the effects of fishing in the area concerned.

Closure request form

Request from Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa for the Ōhiwa Harbour temporary closure [PDF, 577 KB]

Area boundary of the proposed closure

The proposed area is about 0.1 square kilometres, along about 650 metres of coastline.

Map of the proposed closure area within Ōhiwa Harbour [PDF, 1 MB]

Making your submission

Submissions close at 5pm on Monday 29 July 2024.

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

Public notices about the call for submissions are scheduled to appear in the Bay of Plenty Times and Whakatāne Beacon on Wednesday 12 June 2024.

Related information

Section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996 allows the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries to temporarily close an area, or temporarily restrict or prohibit the use of any fishing method in respect of an area, if satisfied that the closure, restriction, or prohibition will recognise and provide for the use and management practices of tangata whenua in the exercise of non-commercial fishing rights.

Find out more about temporary closures

A temporary closure in this area will apply to recreation, commercial, and customary fishing.