Inquiry into the Circumstances Associated with the Import of Certain Consignments of Corn Seeds Containing Low Levels of Genetically Modified Material in Late 2006

Terms of Reference issue

Summary of recommendations

MAF Response

1. The processes and practices relating to the implementation and ongoing review of the import health standard 155.02.05 – Importation of Seed for Sowing

1.1 MAF should monitor the practices of seed suppliers that may impact on the content or implementation of the IHS, and update the IHS and its implementation processes as required. In particular MAF should prepare information on the language and methodologies used by each seed supplier to provide additional support and guidance for Quarantine Officers and highlight any changes in documentation style.

• MAF agrees with this recommendation
• MAF will commission an independent expert with demonstrable ability in quality assurance systems to investigate this matter on its behalf. Terms of Reference will be developed and an appropriate supplier selected by 30 April 2007

1.2 MAF should ensure there is consistency between the language used in its IHS and that used in its Quarantine Process Procedures (PPs)

• MAF agrees with this recommendation
• MAF Quarantine Service management has tasked a team with responsibility to ensure consistency between IHSs and PPs, and will consult with Biosecurity NZ in completing this action This work will be completed by the end of February 2007

1.3 MAF should reinstate in its PP 41 (Clearance of Plants and Plant Products) the requirement that all clearances of Zea mays at the border be carried out by a Quarantine Officers, and peer reviwed by another officer

• MAF agrees with this recommendation
• MAF accepts that it was a mistake to drop the requirement for peer review of seed clearances where there are risks of unintentional GM presence, and has reinstated this requirement

• MAF agrees with this recommendation
• Weekly checks were suspended at some sites between 7 October 2006 and 29 January 2007 for a variety of reasons. These checks have now been reinstated at all relevant sites

• MAF agrees that training is an essential component of effective border management
• MAF Quarantine Service has initiated a review of the content and structure of its training programmes

• should have been applied with respect to the clearance of seed
• were applied in this instance
• provide the basis on which decisions to clear imports are made

• MAF agrees with this recommendation
• MAF has amended its PP41 to include this requirement

• the certification and clearance processes envisaged in the IHS
• the processes and support which underpin it, or
• the processes actually applied to the clearance of these consignments

• Brassica napus var. oleifera (oil seed rape)
• Glycine max (soy bean)
• Zea mays (corn/maize)
• Medico sativa (lucerne/alfalfa)

• MAF agrees with this recommendation
• MAF Quarantine Service management has tasked a team with responsibility to ensure consistency between IHSs and PPs, and will consult with Biosecurity NZ in completing this action. This work will be completed by the end of February 2007

• MAF agrees with this recommendation
• MAF Quarantine Service management has tasked a team with responsibility to ensure that data entry from previous shipments is completed. This work will be completed by the end of February 2007
• MAF Quarantine Service operational management will verify that correct data entry has occurred on all future shipments of seeds that may contain unintended GM presence

• MAF agrees with this recommendation
• From 25 January 2007, all PP amendments will be signed off by the MAF Quarantine Service Executive Management Team. The Biosecurity NZ Biosecurity Standards Group will continue providing advice to MAF Quarantine Service on request