This is the first application of its type to have made it through the EPA process and we are excited by this important win in a system that we were told was impossible.
So what happens next?
The approval will lapse if these species aren’t released within 5 years (meaning these species automatically become “new organisms” again). Nine of the 12 species are already present in New Zealand, so their official “release” may be as simple as demonstrating they are available in stores for consumers to purchase.
The next step for NZPPI is to formally request the development of import health standards to allow all 12 species to be imported. IHS requests are prioritised by MPI as part of their work programme, and we understand the next round of IHS prioritisation will occur in 2024. We expect that MPI will prioritise these, as without an IHS the approval will certainly lapse. We need both parts of the plant import system (EPA and MPI processes) to be integrated otherwise the system is unworkable.
NZ Plant Producers has recently submitted comments on the proposed HSNO fee changes. We have asked for a tiered fee structure for new plant applications, commensurate with risk and in line with the tiered fee structure operating for hazardous substance applications. Currently, new plant applications cost around $30K, which is equivalent to the highest category of fee for haz substances applications (Category C). Haz substances also have a Category A and B, which cost around $5K and $10K respectively, and we would like to see this applied to new organisms, especially for low-risk plant species which MPI have already identified as “low potential for invasiveness”.
There are a range of other system changes we will be recommending to the Ministry for the Environment, who have legislative ownership of the HSNO Act, the EPA and MPI and we will be working on a campaign for improvements to the system over the next few months leading up to the 2023 election.
Background:
NZ Plant Producers submitted the application on 2 September 2022 and a Public Hearing was held on 1 February 2023.
The approved plants are Alocasia micholitziana, Anthurium clarinervium, Anthurium veitchii, Goeppertia bella, Goeppertia orbifolia, Macodes petola, Peperomia albovittata, Peperomia pecuniifolia, Peperomia quadrangularis, Peperomia rotundifolia, Pilea peperomioides and Plumeria pudica.