Thursday 1 February 2007
MAF releases imported corn seed report

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) Director-General Murray Sherwin today released the final report by David Oughton into the circumstances associated with the imports of genetically modified corn seeds in late 2006.

The report Inquiry into the Circumstances Associated with the Imports of Certain Corn Seeds in Late 2006 was commissioned by the Director-General to examine how two consignments of Zea Mays seeds entered New Zealand during October and November 2006 with accompanying genetic modification (GM) testing certificates which indicated conflicting test results. All crops have now been destroyed.

The inquiry found that there was an error of judgement on the part of the inspecting officer that was compounded by a lack of appropriate peer review, leaving open the risk that such an error could remain undetected until after the seed had been released. The report identifies no deficiency in the Import Health Standard and the protocols supporting it.

The report recommends a number of improvements to MAF Quarantine Service systems and processes with respect to the clearance of corn seed. MAF is in agreement with all the recommendations made in the report.

“These recommendations reinforce the need for the types of changes that we are already initiating through projects started in 2006,” said Mr Sherwin. Two key projects already under way, relating to improved IT systems and enhanced personnel practices, will bring improvements to inspection process procedures and data capture.

Most importantly, a decision taken last year to integrate MAF’s biosecurity functions will better link policy development, risk assessment and standard setting in Biosecurity New Zealand and implementation in the MAF Quarantine Service. “This is a substantial restructuring of the biosecurity system and is intended to be implemented by 1 July 2007,” said Mr Sherwin.

Separate processes will be drawn up for “at-risk” seed lines and further training and support is being provided to Quarantine staff in this area. The remaining recommendations will be acted upon.

In addition, MAF is in the process of examining the paperwork for all corn seed consignments cleared by the Quarantine Service. No positive consignments have been identified. One inconclusive test result was found and this consignment was destroyed at the time.

“New Zealand’s border requirements are amongst the toughest in the world and its seed testing requirements are almost certainly the toughest,” said Mr Sherwin. “Demanding biosecurity standards and growing technical complexity coupled with increasing volumes of trade and international passenger arrivals has meant that our border protection work is ‘running fast to keep up’,” he said.

“Approximately 500,000 cargo containers and more than four million international passengers will arrive in New Zealand this year. This presents challenges for our delivery of quarantine services at the border and also meeting the rapidly escalating biosecurity expectations of the New Zealand public.”

“MAF recognises it has a duty of care to ensure that goods entering the country meet stringent import requirements and we will be acting on the report’s recommendations as quickly as we can,” he said.

ENDS

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