MAF considers bee imports report

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) has received and is giving careful consideration to an independent panel report on the requirements governing future imports of bee products from Australia.

MAF developed the requirements, known as an Import Health Standard (IHS), in 2006 but it was legally challenged by New Zealand’s bee industry and quashed by the Court of Appeal.

Subsequently legislation was passed reinstating the IHS, but requiring a suspension on imports until an independent review panel had reported on the issue to MAF, and MAF had made a determination on whether any amendment to the rules was required.

MAF Director General Murray Sherwin now thanks the panel for the report, which he says provides complex information for MAF to consider.

“The report points to some areas in which the scientific evidence has evolved since the original risk analysis for the standard was undertaken. It also raises some trade policy matters which are not strictly related to the underlying questions of the science behind the proposed standard. These issues require careful consideration which is now underway,” Mr Sherwin says.

“I will be taking advice from my senior staff, legal advice and advice on New Zealand’s international trade obligations before making any determination as to the future of the IHS.

“On receipt of that advice, I will then determine if amendments to the IHS are required. I expect this to take around a month. There will continue to be no imports of Australian bee products until this decision is made.”

The full independent panel report is available at:

http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/regs/imports/animals/ihs-beeproic.aus-panel-report.pdf

ENDS

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