Invitation for Submissions on the Assessment of Risks of Exotic Spiders Associated with Imported Table Grapes

Invitation for Submissions on the Assessment of Risks of Exotic Spiders Associated with Imported Table Grapes

Date of publication: 12 June 2002

Note: Submissions closed 24 July 2002

The Import Health Standard for table grapes from the United States of America (State of California) was suspended in November 2001.

Trade will remain suspended until the Import Health Standard is reissued.

This action followed the post-border detection of four live black widow spiders and a number of other exotic spiders over a three month period. Concerns were raised by the Ministry of Health and the Department of Conservation that the level of protection (from risks to human health and the environment) was not longer acceptable through this pathway.

An inter-agency project team (MAF Biosecurity, Department of Conservation and the Ministry of Health) was established in late November to oversee development of risk assessments addressing the concerns over this pathway.

A Health Impact Assessment discussion document has been prepared by the Ministry of Health, and a Pest Risk Assessment by the Indigenous Flora and Fauna team of MAF Biosecurity Authority. The Indigenous Flora and Fauna team has also drafted recommendations for mitigation measures to inform the process of deciding on a revised Import Health Standard.

The three documents available with this cover note have been peer reviewed within and between the project team agencies. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Department of Conservation and Ministry of Health support the two technical assessments and the recommendations for mitigation measures.

Following a review of submissions and incorporation of relevant comments into the documents, it is proposed that these documents will form the basis for a revised Import Health Standard.

The Project leader is Christine Reed, National Adviser, Indigenous Flora and Fauna, MAF. Christine can be contacted by email to reedc@maf.govt.nz or by fax to (04) 470 2751.

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The TOXINZ database has been developed jointly with the University of Otago and the New Zealand National Poisons Centre.

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