Germplasm Advisory Committee (GERMAC)

Plant germplasm has played an important part in the development of New Zealand’s primary sector based economy and our current export produce is likely to have come from stock imported here to optimise variety as well as plant health and vitality.

Established in 2010, GERMAC is the consultative forum between the plant germplasm import industry groups, and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

GERMAC works collaboratively to foster open communication between the industry, MPI, and key agencies in the regulatory models for plant germplasm imports. The committee provides input into strategic direction, policy formulation, priority setting and the cost-effective delivery of the germplasm import programme.

GERMAC also helps establish industry strategy, policy, standards, specifications and codes of practice based on industry consultation and advice regarding the limits of legislation to decision-making bodies.

The GERMAC core committee includes industry stakeholders including:

  • Environmental Protection Authority
  • Horticulture New Zealand
  • New Zealand Flower Growers Association
  • New Zealand Grain & Seed Trade Association
  • New Zealand Winegrowers
  • Nursery and Garden Industry Association (NGIA)
  • Pipfruit New Zealand
  • Plant and Food Research
  • Summerfruit New Zealand
  • ZESPRI International Ltd

and MPI’s:

  • Manager of Virology and Post Entry Quarantine, PHEL
  • Plant Import/Export Manager
  • Plant and Plant Products Team Manager

The current Chair is Bryan Parkes from ZESPRI International.

The GERMAC Committee may invite other individuals or groups on an observer basis, to contribute to working groups or to address specific issues.

The GERMAC Committee is interested in hearing from anyone who has suggestions on how to improve the importation of propagative material into New Zealand – see contact details below.

Contact:
Email: GERMAC@mpi.govt.nz
If you would like to subscribe to the GERMAC mailing list please register your details at the following page: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/lists/?p=subscribe&id=1 (offsite link to www.biosecurity.govt.nz)

Useful links
Better Border Biosecurity (B3) is a multi-partner, cooperative science collaboration that researches ways to reduce the entry and establishment of new pests in New Zealand. For more information see: http://b3nz.org/ (offsite link to b3nz.org)

Page last updated: 25 May 2012