Issue 4, 28 February 2007
Good news for Germplasm - HSNO is here to help
This issue of Germplasm News outlines the overall application process for importing new plants into New Zealand, including types of applications available, costs involved, and the time taken for a decision to be reached and notified.
ERMA New Zealand acknowledges that the types of applications available to importers of ornamental plants can be limited because of the nature of their industry. However, we are committed to working with this particular industry to facilitate applications to allow appropriate new plant species to be imported into New Zealand.
Types of applications available for importing new plants into New Zealand
To choose the right application, you first need to know what you want to do with the new plant species. The information below should help you in choosing the most appropriate application for your needs. In addition, an application can be made at any taxonomic level, as long as risks can be prevented or managed. For example, an application to release 19 species of cycads was approved in December 2006, while an application to import into containment 71 plant families was approved in May 2006.
Application for Full Release of a new plant species
This application type is required if you want to release a new plant species into the environment or release a new plant species from containment into the environment. It is the most expensive application, costing $33,000 because it requires public consultation. It also requires a lot of information to allow a full risk/cost/benefit assessment to be conducted. Once ERMA New Zealand receives the application, we have 100 working days to process it and for the Authority to notify its decision.
While many people think they require this application to import any new plant(s) into New Zealand, more often other application types may be better-suited. To date we have not received any Full Release applications. However, the Authority has approved three applications involving 25 new plant species that were approved for release using a Rapid Assessment of risk application, a much cheaper and quicker option, but it is only for plants meeting certain low risk criteria (see below).
Application to import for release or release from containment by Rapid Assessment of risk
This application type allows a new plant(s) that meets low risk criteria to be imported, eg, the new plant cannot establish a self-sustaining population in the open environment, it must not be capable of displacing any native species within its natural habitat, it must not be able to interbreed with any native species, or it can be easily eradicated. There is no requirement for public notification, although Maori consultation may be required. This application type only costs $562.50 and takes 40 working days to process and for the Authority to notify their decision. This application still requires a lot of information; however, the risk assessment is more straight-forward because of the clear criteria listed above.
Application for Conditional Release
This application type allows new plants to be released into the environment, but the release will be subject to controls to prevent or manage risks. For example, the plants might be approved for more extensive outdoor research, which may include monitoring of the plant under different climatic environments. This application is publicly notified, costs $11,250 and takes a maximum of 100 working days to process and for the Authority to notify their decision.
Application to Import into Containment or Field Test
This application type allows the import of new plants into containment for research, field tests (ie, glasshouse or outdoors), conservation, production of biopharmaceuticals or display. To date three applications involving approximately 40 new plant species have been approved for import into containment. In addition, an application for 71 plant families has been approved for import into containment. A key element in this application is providing information on how the plant will be contained. Containment does not have to be "physical" as plants can be contained outside in order to assess their biological characteristics in a more natural environment. Unless there is likely to be significant public interest, this application will not be publicly notified. This application costs $2,250 and takes 60 days to process and the Authority to notify their decision.
Successful imports of new plant species under the HSNO Act
Since 1998, ERMA New Zealand has approved six applications for a total of 65 new plant species. Approval for 71 families of grassland plants means that potentially thousands of new forage species can be imported for research use in containment. One application for release of Agathis was not approved, due to the uncertainty regarding their potential to hybridise with native New Zealand kauri.
We want to help you be successful in getting your new plant species imported into the country. There are several different applications available to import a new plant species. Plus it can be substantially cheaper than you might have first thought. We encourage you to talk with ERMA New Zealand Agency staff to ensure you have the most appropriate application for the intended new plant species. The more applications we process, the easier the process will become.
Check out our next issue for:
The relationship between ERMA New Zealand and MAF explained…
Contact:
Geoff RidleyScience Manager, New Organisms
Geoff.Ridley@ermanz.govt.nz
(04)9184795 Brenda Pottinger
Environmental Risk Advisor, New Organisms
Brenda.Pottinger@ermanz.govt.nz
(04) 9184797