Managing biosecurity risks
While many risk management systems operate at the border, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) recognises new systems and different points of intervention may also be appropriate at or before the border.
Equivalence and co-management are ways that industry can be involved in helping us manage biosecurity risks.
What is equivalence?
An equivalent system is defined as an approved system or practice to mitigate risk to the level required in the import health standard (IHS).
"An approved system or practice to mitigate risk to the level required in the import health standard (IHS)."
In other words, equivalence is substituting one standard approved practice for a system that is shown to achieve the same or better outcome. Examples are:
- substituting heat treatment for fumigation of a container
- cleaning sea containers offshore by the importer or exporter – reducing the need for full MPI inspections on arrival in New Zealand.
What is co-management?co-management
Co-management is defined as a third party doing activities on behalf of MPI.
"A third party doing activities on behalf of MPI."
Examples are:
- inspections to verify compliance of empty sea containers done by Port Otago staff instead of MPI staff
- accredited persons inspecting low-risk
low riskcontainers on MPI'sMPI’sbehalf.
Getting approval
MPI has a process that must be followed before approval is given for co-management or equivalence systems. It involves 6 steps and these are covered in the guidance document – MPI Guidelines for approving co-management and equivalent systems applications.
Download the guidance document
Talk with MPI before applying
MPI recommends you discuss your proposal for new co-management or equivalent systems before you apply. Note that:
- MPI reserves the right to decline any proposals
- this process is not for development or research into potential intervention or management options.
For equivalence applications contact:
Biosecurity and Environment Group
Regulation and Assurance Branch
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington
Email: standards@mpi.govt.nz
For co-management applications contact:
Border Clearance Services
Operations Branch
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington
Email: bridget.roberts@mpi.govt.nz
Specific guidelines
Equivalent system
Processes and requirements for setting up a sea container hygiene system:
- Sea container hygiene system - off the shelf package
Sea container hygiene system - off the shelf package
Co-management
Process and requirements for port companies wishing to set up a system to manage empty containers on behalf of MPI:
Some legal points
It is important to note:
- Neither equivalence nor co-management is a discharging of legal responsibilities from MPI. Equivalent measures may be put in place to meet legal requirements and such decisions are empowered under the Act. In some cases the management of that system may be managed under co-management.
- These options are not regulatory requirements that all must comply with. They are not compulsory nor even an option for everybody to adopt.
- All costs associated with development of the application and undertaking trials are incurred by the company seeking approval.
Who to contact
If you have questions about equivalence and co-management, email info@mpi.govt.nz .