Independent review under section 22A

Section 22A of the Biosecurity Act 1993 allows for an independent review to be conducted as part of the import health standard development process. The purpose of the review is to advise the Director-General of MAF on whether, in developing an import health standard, MAF has had sufficient regard to the scientific evidence about which a person consulted on the draft standard has raised a significant concern.

Provisional import health standards are made available in accordance with Gazette Notice 4582 issued under section 22A of the Biosecurity Act. This Notice allows 10 working days for any person consulted under section 22(6) of the Biosecurity Act, and that made a submission, to notify the Director-General of MAF if he or she intends to request an independent review of the scientific evidence considered by MAF's chief technical officer in developing this import health standard. When notifying the Director-General of an intention to request an independent review, a person must demonstrate that they are eligible to do so by demonstrating that they meet the criteria of a person consulted under section 22 (6) i.e., they are "representative of the classes of persons having an interest in the standard".

If no person notifies the Director-General of an intention to request an independent review within 10 working days of the provisional import health standard being made available, the standard will be issued.

Any person that has notified the Director-General of his or her intention to request an independent review, must make formal that request in writing no later than 20 working days from the time the provisional import health standard is available. The request must:

  • identify the part of the person's submission that explains the person's significant concern with the chief technical officer's consideration of the scientific evidence;
  • explain why the person considers that there has been insufficient regard to the scientific evidence; and
  • include any additional scientific information related to the concern that was not provided to the chief technical officer during consultation.

Terms of Reference Link to PDF document (41 KB) for Independent Review Panel Import Health Standard for the Importation into New Zealand of Pig Meat and Pig Meat Products from EU, Canada & USA and Sonora State of Mexico

Page last updated: 29 September 2009