NZ's blueberry industry raises alarm over proposed import standards

An industry group representing New Zealand's blueberry producers is worried about the possible risks posed by new import standards.

Consultation has recently closed for Biosecurity New Zealand's proposed import requirements for fresh blueberries.

The reason why these import health standards (IHS) are being developed is because Chile, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, and the USA want to export blueberries here.

But industry group, Blueberries New Zealand says it's worried about increased biosecurity risks - for example bringing in the Spotted Wing Drosophila fruit fly or the bacterial plant disease, xylella fastidiosa.

According to the group's chairperson Trudy O'Halloran, the pest and disease regulations for New Zealand growers would be far more stringent than for overseas imports.

"An example under this proposed standard is that exporters from the five countries are allowed to pick fruit that may be contaminated, for example if it is on the ground, it might have soil on. They're allowed to clean it before sending it directly to New Zealand, whereas New Zealand growers are absolutely not allowed to do that," she said.

She was also concerned about how this could economically impact the horticulture sector.

"This could cost New Zealand millions of dollars in incursions."

O'Halloran said it wouldn't just affect the blueberry industry either, but the wider horticulture industry.

She described the consultation process so far as "ad hoc" and says she wanted MPI to have a sit down with the industry and the Bioeconomy Science Institute.

In a statement from MPI, Biosecurity New Zealand's director of biosecurity import and export standards Lisa Winthrop said the risk assessment underpinning the draft IHS has been comprehensive and consistent with international best practice.

She said that since 2021, there have been multiple meetings with industry representatives that supported the proposals.

"Consultation opened on 31 March 2026 and has been extended twice, providing stockholders more than 10 weeks to further consider and respond to the proposed IHS."

She said that all submissions will be assessed on their merits, before determining the final form of the IHS.