Q. How does the HSNO Act relate to the Biosecurity Act?
A. The Biosecurity Act's purpose is to eradicate, or effectively manage, pests and unwanted organisms already in the country - or to stop them from entering e.g. fruit flies in Auckland. The HSNO Act protects the environment and people. It regulates the deliberate importation, development or release of new organisms into New Zealand. For example, to import an exotic fish for farming you must now apply to ERMA New Zealand. If approved, the fish is then checked by MAF against an Import Health Standard for pest and diseases before it can be released.
Q. What happens with the existing agencies?
A. ERMA New Zealand has taken over the decision making functions of the Ministry for the Environment's Interim Assessment Group for the field testing or release of genetically modified organisms. The Ministry of Health Toxic Substances Board; the Ministry of Agriculture Pesticides Board; Territorial Authorities and the Department of Labour Explosives and Dangerous Goods Inspectorate will continue to assess applications made prior to the Hazardous Substances start-up. When the Hazardous Substances provisions come into force there will be a transitional period.
Q. What opportunities are there for public participation?
A. The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 provides considerable opportunity for public input, including opportunities to make written submissions, and the right to call for and take part in public hearings. The Authority maintains a public register of all applications and must also notify its decisions and the reasons for the decision. In addition, the Authority uses early consultation and pre-hearings to give relevant parties a chance to discuss technical issues before embarking on a formal hearing. See our Quick Guide on making a submission for more information.
Q. What about rapid assessments?
A. Some applications, such as those for plants or animals not able to survive in the New Zealand environment (e.g. tropical fish), will be processed using the 'rapid assessment' provisions of the HSNO Act. This means a quick assessment will be made and, if accepted, approval will be given. If not, the application may be processed with a full assessment of effects.
Q. Who is responsible for looking after concerns about food safety issues?
A. A new authority has been set up called the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) This will replace the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF). Producers, processors and consumers faced issues that included:
- inconsistencies and a lack of co-ordination in the way food safety is managed;
- increasing consumer concerns about food safety issues;
- a shortage of skills in some specialist areas in New Zealand; and
- the potential for inconsistencies to develop in New Zealand's approach to imports and exports.
For more information see New Zealand Food Safety Authority's website at www.nzfsa.govt.nz.
If you have any further questions contact: info@ermanz.govt.nz. A full listing of how you can contact ERMA New Zealand is in the Contact us section.