BGANZ submission to the New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries proposed changes to the import health standard Importation of Nursery Stock

BGANZ recognises the importance of reviewing the biosecurity risks associated with the importation of nursery stock into New Zealand.

However, the blanket approach to suspend import pathways that are not used and/or are out of date will see a very extensive list of taxa suspended from import. This will inhibit the vital conservation work being undertaken by botanic gardens in New Zealand.

BGANZ reiterates the value botanic gardens play in plant conservation and the need for removing threatened and near-threatened species from this list.

Read the full submission here: BGANZ Submission on suspension of unused or out of date nursery stock import pathways.

Kunzea sinclairii, a nationally critical species that is on the proposed list of genera that will no longer be eligible for import. Photo taken at Auckland Botanic Gardens in the threatened native plant garden by Emma Simpkins.