Policy for MAF’s Response to Risk Organisms

In July 2008, Cabinet approved a new response policy, Policy for MAF’s Response to Risk Organisms Link to PDF document (1654 KB). The response policy replaces the Biosecurity Council – Policy Statement on Responding to an Exotic Organism Incursion September 2001.

The response policy sets out how MAF manages biosecurity responses to risk organisms that could harm people, the environment, and/or the economy. The response policy is used in conjunction with the MAF’s internal biosecurity response management processes and procedures.

Policy for MAF’s Response to Risk Organisms:

  • defines expectations for MAF’s readiness to respond to potential risk organisms;
  • outlines MAF’s roles, responsibilities and policies when we lead a response and our indicative roles where we participate in a response led by others;
  • outlines potential roles, responsibilities and contributions of other parties;
  • guides MAF’s decision-making during a response; and
  • sets out performance expectations for the response system.

Page last updated: 2 December 2008