FAQs related to Importing Dogs and cats from the Vanuatu

MAF will include additional controls in the harvest process to minimise the probability of the formation of a self-sustaining population of GM Zea mays. Protocols covering these controls will be written and distributed to growers.

MAF will also perform follow-up visits to sites.

If it is determined that it is contaminated this seed will be destroyed or re-exported.

There is no cross-pollination risk because the crops have only just germinated.

The documentation that accompanied these consignments only indicated the presence of promoter or terminator sequences, not a specific construct. MAF’s investigations will seek to identify the nature of any GM constructs.

It is unlikely, but possible, that consignments of lucerne seed could contain very low levels of GM seed. In the USA, the proximity of GM crops to non-GM crops is not regulated.  For example, lucerne is pollinated by bees.  Bees could carry pollen from GM fields to non GM fields.  Also mixing of small amounts of GM seed could occur via harvesting equipment, seed cleaning plants, and seed storage facilities.

The seed sample will be tested using a DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) test called the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which detects specific DNA sequences unique to the genetic modification.  The GM lucerne varieties contain the herbicide tolerant gene (CP4 EPSPS) and a promoter gene (FMV) from the Figwort Mosaic Virus, which conventional varieties do not have.  A positive result for either of these genes indicates the presence of GM in the seed sample.

The three MAF-approved testing laboratories supply a test that will detect Round-up Ready GM lucerne, by specifically targeting a part of its gene construct which is virtually identical with the construct in other glyphosate-tolerant crops. If any GM lucerne is detected during testing, MAF will deny the consignment of seed entry into New Zealand.  The laboratories will monitor the test’s effectiveness as part of normal validation procedures.

To date, only the US has approved the commercial production of GM lucerne. However, seeds are traded world-wide.  Seed from this year’s harvest in the US may be sold to other countries and the ensuing seed crop may enter New Zealand next year. Furthermore, New Zealand growers decide which countries they source seed from according to the end use for their products.  The lucerne and alfalfa breeding industry in the US is large, and provides growers with access to specialised varieties.

Implementation of a testing protocol can provide assurances that imports do not contain GM seeds, while still allowing trade to continue. Banning all imports of lucerne and alfalfa seed would not be justified, given that a GM test is available. 

In the US, genetically modified lucerne could cross-pollinate with non-GM lucerne, and the modified traits may be inherited by the next generation.  Lucerne is a perennial species and feral plants grow along field edges and roadsides in the main seed production areas in the US. Consequently, wild plants containing GM genes may persist in these environments.

Little is known about the potential for persistence of these GMOs in the New Zealand environment. However, GM lucerne is not approved by the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA New Zealand) for release into the New Zealand environment.

The GM lucerne varieties have been modified to be tolerant to glyphosate herbicides (the principle ingredient of Roundup^TM  and several other herbicides) , to assist with weed management for the production of hay and forage in the field. The varieties contain the glyphosate tolerant gene (CP4 EPSPS) and a promoter from the Figwort Mosaic Virus (FMV).

Testing typically takes two to seven days, depending on laboratory workloads. Most importers arrange for testing to be conducted offshore prior to shipment of seeds, so delays at the border are not anticipated.

The importer is required to meet the costs of testing. The testing costs between $340 and $560, depending on which of the three MAF approved laboratories conduct the testing (USA, France or Australia).

The MAF-approved test, which requires a sample size of 3200 seeds, will detect GM if it is present in the sample 99.9% of the time. A sample size of 3200 seeds (required by all of the MAF testing protocols) provides a 95% confidence that GM seed will be sampled from a seed lot if it is present in concentrations of 0.1% or more (greater than or equal to 1 in 1000 seeds).

GM lucerne/alfalfa was approved by the USDA (US Department of Agriculture) in July 2005 for wide-scale cultivation. In the same year it was assessed and approved for human food in Canada and Mexico in 2005, and in 2006, Japan.

Although GM lucerne/alfalfa is intended primarily as an animal feed, its safety for human consumption has also been assessed in case some inadvertently enters the human food supply.

Food produced from Roundup-ready corn, soybean, canola and sugar beet, which all contain the same modified gene as GM lucerne, have already been approved as safe for consumption by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). FSANZ are currently conducting an initial assessment of GM lucerne as food, and if it is approved for human consumption, all products containing GM must be labelled as genetically modified in accordance with the Australia New Zealand Food Safety Code, Food Standard 1.5.2. This provides consumers with choice as to whether or not they purchase foods containing GM ingredients.

For any questions about food safety, please contact the New Zealand Food Safety Authority :

New Zealand Food Safety Authority
68-86 Jervois Quay
PO Box 2835
Wellington

If this testing protocol were not established, the likelihood of inadvertent import and planting of GM lucerne/alfalfa into New Zealand may increase. Little is known about the potential for persistence of these GMOs in the New Zealand environment, therefore existing lucerne hay and alfalfa/lucerne seed markets may be affected.  Additionally, growers of these seeds may find themselves in breach of the HSNO Act, as GM lucerne/alfalfa has not been approved for planting in New Zealand.

The key cost is that of the test itself.  Testing costs between $340 and $560 NZD depending on which laboratory conducts the test. Importers are likely to pass any increased costs from testing on to their consumers, so lucerne hay and alfalfa sprouts may cost slightly more as a result.

MAF and ERMA New Zealand have the ability to prosecute under the both the HSNO and Biosecurity Acts.  This is considered on a case-by-case basis.

Working closely with ERMA New Zealand, MAF would work to ensure that the GM lucerne, and commodities likely to harbour it, were isolated and devitalised so that no seeds could germinate.

ERMA New Zealand supports the Environmental Risk Management Authority in its decision making role for applications to import, develop, or field test new organisms; or to import or manufacture hazardous substances. These applications are made under Part V of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996.

Most imported seed is grown into pasture or lucerne hay for feeding livestock. A smaller proportion is sprouted as alfalfa sprouts for human consumption.

In 2005, New Zealand imported approximately 37,000 kg of lucerne seed for sowing and approximately 9, 000 kg seed for sprouting.

Production of lucerne for livestock and alfalfa sprouts in New Zealand relies on seed imported from large breeding programmes in the US, Australia and Europe. New Zealand’s own lucerne and alfalfa seed production industry is small, and is localised in areas of Canterbury and Otago where climatic and soil conditions are favourable. Overseas specialised breeding programmes offer growers a wider range of seed selections not otherwise available to the New Zealand industry.

Medicago sativa is the Latin name for lucerne, also called alfalfa. The seeds may be grown as a forage crop or lucerne hay for feeding livestock, or sprouted to produce alfalfa sprouts for human consumption.

The protocol will require importers to have consignments of viable lucerne/alfalfa seed tested for the presence of GM seed at one of the three MAF approved testing laboratories located in Australia, France or the US.

Importers of viable lucerne seed for producing animal feed and alfalfa seed for human consumption will be affected.

MAF would like to hear feedback from people who have an interest in, or would be affected by, the seed testing protocol. The protocol would be put in place by amending the existing Import Health Standards for Medicago sativa ( Seed for Sowing and Importation of Grains/Seeds for Consumption, Feed or Processing – Plant Health Requirements).

The purpose of a seed testing protocol is to minimise the likelihood that GM seed will inadvertently be imported into New Zealand within consignments of conventional seed. MAF already has seed testing protocols in place for maize and sweet corn, oilseed Brassica, and soybeans, which were implemented in 2001 and 2002. MAF intends to extend these requirements to lucerne/alfalfa because two varieties of genetically modified (GM) lucerne are entering commercial production in the US for the first time this year.

MAF is responsible for enforcing the ‘new organism’ provisions of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (the HSNO Act). GM lucerne is considered a ‘new organism’ under the HSNO Act and cannot legally be imported or grown in New Zealand. The HSNO Act prohibits the importation, field-testing or release of any ‘new organism’ without approval from the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA). To date, no GM organisms have been approved for release in New Zealand.

Customs will collect the new levy on behalf of MAF, using existing systems and reducing duplication of government resources.

The biosecurity risk screening levy will be applied to all goods that attract Customs' import entry transaction fee. The import entry transaction fee is charged on commercial imports with duty and/or GST liability of $50 or more, and on private imports of good with a value of $1,000 or more and a duty and/or GST liability of $50 or more.

The biosecurity risk screening levy will be collected by Customs and billed on the same invoice sent to importers for the import entry transaction fee, duty and GST.

Payment conditions for the levy will be the same as for the import entry transaction fee. Levies invoiced in a given month will be payable in the following month under Customs' normal terms of business with each levy payer. Alternatively, for cash payments, goods will not be released until the levy is paid.

This levy is part of a whole-of-government response to border management, which will result in more effective goods clearance at the border. It is a fairer, more consistent charge on importers and is significantly lower than the previous charge of $28.70 (GST inclusive) on identified risk goods.

Automated risk assessment of all import documentation will fund biosecurity screening for goods coming into New Zealand. It will also reduce MAF Biosecurity New Zealand Clearance's administrative tasks, thus freeing up extra inspection capability without additional cost to industry.

Using Customs' existing systems to collect the levy will help reduce compliance costs to importers by providing one invoice statement from two government agencies.

MAF is improving procedures for assessing imported goods for biosecurity risk. Under the 2003 Regulations, risk assessment on import documentation is performed manually and MAF recovers the cost through an import documentation fee. This fee has been applied to risk goods only, but all imported goods need to be assessed for risk.

MAF screens all imported goods for the risk they pose to New Zealand. The biosecurity risk screening levy 2006 will be a new cost to importers who have previously not been charged the import documentation fee. Import entries identified as non- risk goods (such as shrink wrapped television sets) will be given a biosecurity clearance with no delay and no further cost beyond the biosecurity risk screening levy. Imported goods considered to be a risk will be identified for further consideration by MAF.

The Biosecurity (Costs) Regulations 2003 have been in place since May 2003 and charges have not been amended since then. The new charges reflect current costs and changes in MAF’s operations. In its provision of cargo clearance services, MAF needs to:

• Ensure that any changes in practices required at the border are adequately cost recovered;
• Avoid under and over recovery of costs over time;
• Ensure charges remain fair and equitable.

The key changes are:

• An increase in the MAF hourly rate inspection charge to $100 per hour;
• A new method of charging to recover costs relating to the primary screening of import documentation; a biosecurity risk screening levy of $3.38 will be charged on all imported goods that attract New Zealand Customs Service's import entry transaction fee. The biosecurity risk screening levy replaces the current inspection of import documentation fee from 1 October 2006. The levy will be collected by Customs on behalf of MAF.
• A new method of charging to pay for sea container clearance system costs and the increased monitoring and verification activities required by the revised import health standard for sea containers; A levy will be charged on all imported sea containers of $16 for full sea containers and $7 for empty containers.
• The number of categories of inspection charges for used vehicles has been reduced from 15 to four and the fee structure has been simplified. Inspection and re-inspection of used vehicles will be charged at the same rates.