The saga continues: DAFF releases update on import of NZ potatoes

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has released an updated statement regarding the proposal to import New Zealand potatoes for processing.

DAFF said it had “commenced a specific review of biosecurity measures for potatoes, developing measures to address all the pests associated with potatoes from New Zealand”.

“The purpose of the review currently underway is to determine if the established measures remain appropriate to manage the biosecurity risks,” the DAFF statement said.

DAFF received 27 submissions on the draft review, which was released for stakeholder comment on 3 July. DAFF says all submissions will be analysed in full and taken into account prior to finalising the review.

DAFF’s review process has come under fire from industry body AUSVEG, which claims that DAFF has directly contradicted itself and lacks a thorough understanding of the diseases that may be associated with importing potatoes from New Zealand.

Perhaps in reaction to this, DAFF has revealed it will be engaging the services of an expert from outside the department to assess DAFF’s review. “The external reviewer will also examine the latest information on zebra chip disease relevant for the potential import of potatoes from New Zealand for processing,” DAFF’s statement said.

“Until DAFF has analysed all submissions and reviewed the risk assessment, and the external reviewer has completed their work, no decision will be made to import potatoes for processing,” the DAFF statement concluded.