SUBMISSIONS

Submission on Vocational Education Training (VET) reforms September 2024
NZPPI's submission emphasises the need for fewer, integrated ITPs and opposes funding shifts that would harm workplace-based learning, instead we advocate for industry-specific standard-setting bodies and balanced, non-volume-based funding.

Submission on MPI Proposal to suspend nursery stock genera August 2024
NZPPI opposes the suspension of 1,467 plant genera from import pathways, citing negative impacts on innovation and plant health. We advocate for a targeted approach to improve biosecurity without restricting access to essential plant material.

Submission on review of measures for the management of Xylella fastidiosa June 2024
NZPPI supports using offshore high-health schemes like Naktuinbouw, offshore parent plant testing, and Plant Pass certification to manage Xylella fastidiosa risks in plant imports. We advocate for a systems approach to enhance biosecurity.

Submission on proposed measures to manage phytoplasmas in Greenlife Nursery Stock March 2024
NZPPI supports differentiated import pathways based on risk to manage phytoplasmas in nursery stock. They advocate using offshore high-health schemes like BKD and Naktuinbouw to enhance biosecurity, reduce risk, and promote global trade​.

Position Statement: Regional Water Restrictions February 2024
NZPPI advocated over the 2023/24 summer for equitable water restrictions, emphasising that plant nurseries and gardening already use water efficiently. We call for local government policies that protect food security, environmental sustainability, and minimise business impacts, urging broader conservation efforts across industries

Biodiversity Credits System November 2023
NZPPI supports the establishment of a Biodiversity Credits System that is carefully designed to encourage investment, ensure project success, and maintain integrity. We believe that with the right framework and government support focused on capacity building and integrity systems, the BCS can significantly contribute to Aotearoa New Zealand's biodiversity goals.

Auckland Council Exemption for Prunus serrulata cultivars - updated 3 November 2023
Auckland Counci have updated their list of Japanese cherry cultivars exempt from the RPMP ban.

Post Entry Quarantine and Testing Policies and Pricing November 2023
MPI has proposed significant changes to the pricing of quarantine and testing services. These charges will more than double the cost of importing germplasm.

Amendments to Vitis import health standard July 2023
NZ Plant Producers supported the addition of 3 viruses to the pest list, to be regulated by PCR during post-entry quarantine.

Amendments to germplasm import health standards May 2023
NZPPI gave feedback on the proposal to amend the following import health standards:
• Actinidia Plants for Planting,
• Citrus Plants for Planting
• Importation of Nursery Stock
• Prunus Plants for Planting
• Seeds for Sowing.

EPA Application AP204280 for 11 new plant species - Summary for Te Herenga engagement January 2023
NZPPI is applying to the Environmental Protection Authority for approval of 11 houseplant species. As part of the applications process, NZPPI is consulting with Te Herenga, the EPA's network of Maori advisers and kaitiaki.

Auckland Council Exemption letter for Prunus serrulata cultivars April 2022
Auckland Council have agreed to our request to exempt Prunus 'Kanzan' and Prunus 'Shimidsu Sakura' from the RPMP ban.

They have also agreed to interim exemption for four other cultivars while further work is done this coming Spring: Prunus 'Ukon', P. 'Amanogawa', P. "Shirotae' and P. 'Kiku shidare sakura'.

Citrus Plants for Planting submission 10 September 2021
NZ Plant Producers made a submission on proposed changes to the import rules for Citrus Plants for Planting.

The new Import Health Standard incorporates all Citrus, Poncirus, and Fortunella, from MPI approved and non-approved offshore sources.

The main area of concern was in the interpretation that offshore facilities must be physical structures, because this is implied in MPI's standard for Approval of Offshore Facilities. NZPPI disagrees with this interpretation, as the same wording is used in the MPI Post-entry quarantine standard, which definitely includes 'open field' Level 1 facilities.

We believe that Open field facilities can still provide a good level of biosecurity risk-reduction and offer a practical way of holding high-health collections of some horticultural species, e.g. grapevines, summer fruit etc.

You can read NZPPI's submission here.

Submission on the Plant Variety Rights Bill
The Plant Variety Rights Act is an important piece of legislation that supports the success of our sector. Many of our members propagate or own the rights to plants that are protected by the current Plant Variety Rights Act (PVRA).

NZ Plant Producers supports the Government’s intention to align the future PVR regime with the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) 1991. Our submission makes 15 recommendations about both the structure and specific matters in the draft Bill. It highlights the importance of timeliness and certainty about property rights for plant breeders, to ensure that continued investment drives economic prosperity and sustainability in our horticultural sectors.

Submission on Cut Flower and Foliage from Malaysia
MPI are amending the Import Health Standard for Cut Flowers & Foliage from Malaysia. The mandatory methyl bromide fumigation treatment at the border will be replaced by a Malaysian Phytosanitary Certification Assurance (MPCA) Scheme, an approved offshore programme for the management of Thrips palmi on imported cut flowers and foliage to New Zealand.

Malus IHS submission 18 Dec 2020
NZ Plant Producers submission on the partial review of the Malus import health standard.

Pelleted Seed submission
Risk Management Proposal: Proposed amendments to the IHS 155.02.05 Seeds for Sowing, February 2020

Pelleted Seed Risk Management
Risk Management Proposal: Proposed amendments to the IHS 155.02.05 Seeds for Sowing, November 2019

Review of Vocational Education
Education (Vocational Education and Training Reform) Amendment Bill, October 2019

Freshwater National Policy Statement
Submission on the Proposed National Policy Statement for Freshwater and National Environment Standard for Freshwater, October 2019

Plant Variety Rights Act submission
Submission on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s proposed options for the Plant Variety Rights Act 1987 Review, September 2019

Giant willow aphid
Giant willow aphid Biological Control Agent, September 2019

Pelleted Seed briefing
Pelleted ornamental flower & greenhouse seeds – extended briefing paper, April 2019

Kauri Dieback
National Kauri Dieback Management Plan, September 2018

Plant Variety Rights Act review
Submission on issues associated with the Plant Variety Rights Act 1987 to inform the Act’s review by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment