Memoranda of Understanding
Memoranda of Understanding (MOU's) can be put in place between government agencies to outline respective roles and responsibilities where there is overlaps.
MAFBNZ has three memoranda at present:
- Memorandum of understanding between the biosecurity agencies
- Memorandum of understanding with ERMA
- Memorandum of understanding with New Zealand Police
Biosecurity Agencies
The Memorandum of Understanding for biosecurity activities has been developed to provide an overarching framework for four Government agencies to work together on biosecurity matters:
- the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
(MAF) - the Department of Conservation (DOC)
- the Ministry of Fisheries (MFish)
- the Ministry of Health (MOH)
The Memorandum of Understanding ensures the agencies collaborate and communicate to effectively carry out the Government's biosecurity objectives. It clarifies accountabilities and responsibilities among the four agencies.
It also sets out the expectations for the interaction between the agencies in relation to biosecurity decisions. This includes developing the operational policies that guide decision making.
New Organism Enforcement
The Memorandum of Understanding between MAF and the Environmental Risk Management Agency (ERMA) 
(182 KB) outlines the enforcement activities of MAF. Like the MOU with biosecurity agencies, this MOU outlines the roles and responsibilities of MAFBNZ to lead responses to new organisms that have escaped containment or otherwise should not have been released in New Zealand.
Illegal importation of risk goods
The Memoranda of Understanding between MAF and New Zealand Police (35 KB) establishes a protocol for the sharing of information and the making available of appropriate resources to help combat the illegal importation of risk goods, unwanted organisms and uncleared goods which may have a direct impact upon the agricultural security and environment of New Zealand.
Page last updated: 12 August 2008