Memoranda of Understanding

Memoranda of Understanding (MOU's) can be put in place between government agencies to outline respective roles and responsibilities where there are overlaps.

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand has a number of memoranda at present, including:

  • memorandum of understanding with ERMA concerning new organism enforcement; and
  • memorandum of understanding with New Zealand Police concerning the illegal importation of risk goods.

New Organism Enforcement

The Memorandum of Understanding between MAF and the Environmental Risk Management Agency (ERMA) Link to PDF document (182 KB) outlines the enforcement activities of MAF. Like the MOU with biosecurity agencies, this MOU outlines the roles and responsibilities of MAF Biosecurity New Zealand 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 Link to PDF document (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: 18 January 2010