HortNZ CEO, Peter Silcock, says that while his organisation has requested the review and is pleased it has been given priority, the draft standard has not addressed all its concerns and has raised other questions.

He says New Zealand’s horticulture sector needs to be assured that imports are being underpinned by a robust IHS that manages biosecurity risk. “We believe imported cut flowers and foliage are a reasonably high risk. They can carry both pests a diseases particularly if they have not received an effective devitalisation treatment to prevent them from being propagated.”

Key submissions points are:

• HortNZ is very concerned the standard does not include a mandatory inspection at the border – this was included in all previous fresh produce standards;
• It has recommended that MPI put in place an accredited offshore system for devitalisation treatment facilities (as Australia has done for this type of import);
• It has asked for further science information to support the efficacy of various devitalisation treatments outlined in the standard;
• It has requested further information about the adequacy of measures for regulated pests;
• Finally, it as suggested improvements that could be made to the overall readability of the document.

Hort NZ says that this is important as this is the first HIS to be issued using MPI’s new standard format.