Skip to main content

New format for import health standards for fresh fruits and vegetables for human consumption

Have your say

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is seeking feedback on the readability of new ‘commodity’ format import health standards for fresh fruit and vegetables and an accompanying guidance document.

We've transferred existing country:commodity import health standards (IHSs) for fresh fruits and vegetables for human consumption into the new format (commodity standards).

The risk management proposal outlines the purpose and scope of this consultation.

Consultation documents

The following 4 commodity standards are representative of the new format and can be used to give your feedback.

A list of all the new format commodity standards is available. 

See all the new standards

Reasons for the new format

Over the past year, MPI has been reviewing its internal processes for the development of IHSs for fresh fruits and vegetables for human consumption and administering systems improvements. An important system improvement is the standardisation of existing fresh fruit and vegetable IHSs into the new format (commodity standards).

The new format will:

  • make it clear what information is a requirement and what is guidance
  • streamline and simplify reviewing and amending existing import health standards
  • ensure consistent application of phytosanitary measures across commodities with the same pests.

Making your submission

Email your feedback on the draft documents by 5pm on 19 August 2019 to plantimports@mpi.govt.nz

Make sure you include in your submission:

  • the title of the consultation document in the subject line of your email
  • your name and title (if applicable)
  • your organisation’s name (if applicable)
  • your address.

While we prefer email, you can also post your submission (post-stamped before 5pm on 19 August 2019) to:

Plant Imports
Plants and Pathways
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand

Submissions are public information

Note, that any submission you make becomes public information. People can ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we have to make submissions available unless we have good reasons for withholding them.  That is explained in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

Tell us if you think there are grounds to withhold specific information in your submission. Reasons might include that it's commercially sensitive or it's personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold information can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may tell us to release it.

Finding the new standards

When the new format commodity standards are finalised and published, they will be available to download.

Fresh fruit and vegetable requirement documents

You can use the filter box to find the commodity IHS you need. Type in the common name of the commodity into the box “Filter by title, keyword, or description”.

How do I know if my country can export a certain commodity?

To find out whether your country has been approved by MPI to export a certain commodity to New Zealand, use our online pest database (Online pest database).

Select the commodity you wish to export from the drop down list. A second drop down list will appear, listing the countries that are approved to export the commodity you have selected.

Online pest database

MPI business units