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| MPI (New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries) | |
|---|---|
| Agency name | Ministry for Primary Industries |
| Formed | 1 July 2012 |
| Preceding1 | Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (New Zealand) |
| Preceding2 | New Zealand Food Safety Authority |
| Jurisdiction | New Zealand |
| Headquarters | Wellington City |
MPI (New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries) is a New Zealand public sector agency responsible for biosecurity, fisheries, forestry, agriculture, and food safety policy and regulation. Formed in 2012, it merged functions from predecessor agencies to manage natural resources and primary production across Aotearoa, interacting with stakeholders including iwi, industry bodies, and international partners. MPI's remit involves statutory enforcement, science commissioning, and trade facilitation linked to New Zealand's export markets.
MPI was established on 1 July 2012 by consolidating the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (New Zealand), the New Zealand Food Safety Authority, and the biosecurity functions of the Ministry of Fisheries (New Zealand), following policy decisions by the Cabinet of New Zealand and ministers such as Wayne Mapp and David Carter (politician). Its creation responded to reviews influenced by events like the 2008 New Zealand general election and strategic reforms advocated in documents associated with the Treasury (New Zealand) and the State Services Commission (New Zealand). Subsequent organisational changes were shaped by legislative frameworks including the Biosecurity Act 1993 and amendments related to the Resource Management Act 1991 and international obligations under treaties such as the World Trade Organization agreements.
MPI's core functions include biosecurity protection, fisheries management, forestry oversight, agricultural policy, and food safety regulation, delivering services that affect export-oriented sectors like the New Zealand dairy industry, New Zealand sheep industry, and New Zealand horticulture sector. It operates within statutory settings including the Fisheries Act 1996 and coordinates with sector groups like Fonterra Co-operative Group, Sealord Group, and New Zealand Pork Industry Board. MPI engages with indigenous rights and co-management arrangements involving iwi entities such as Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Whātua, and negotiation processes linked to the Treaty of Waitangi settlements. The agency also supports research partnerships with institutions such as Crown Research Institute, Plant & Food Research, and universities like University of Otago and Massey University.
MPI is organised into directorates covering biosecurity, fisheries, food safety, forestry, and policy, reporting to the Chief Executive and the responsible ministers in the New Zealand Parliament. Its governance interfaces with statutory bodies including Fisheries New Zealand and advisory groups such as the Agricultural and Pastoral Society (New Zealand), while regional offices liaise with local entities like Auckland Council and Canterbury Regional Council. MPI commissions science from Crown Research Institutes including Scion (New Zealand Crown Research Institute) and interacts with standards bodies like Standards New Zealand and international organisations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization.
MPI develops regulations and guidance on animal welfare, biosecurity preparedness, fisheries quota management, and food standards, implementing instruments derived from legislation like the Animal Welfare Act 1999 and the Food Act 2014. Its policy development processes involve consultation with stakeholders including industry associations like New Zealand Seafood Industry Council, unions such as New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, and consumer groups like the Consumers' Institute. MPI’s regulatory activities are influenced by international agreements such as the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO) and engage with certification schemes connected to entities like GlobalGAP and the International Organization for Standardization.
Operationally, MPI provides quarantine services at ports and airports including Auckland Airport and Lyttelton Harbour, conducts compliance and enforcement operations linked to the Environmental Protection Authority (New Zealand), manages fisheries monitoring and stock assessments, and operates response frameworks for pest incursions exemplified by work on incursions like Mycoplasma bovis and biosecurity responses coordinated with the National Crisis Management Centre (New Zealand). MPI also issues export health certificates for commodities destined for markets such as China, United States, European Union, and partners with industry organisations such as Beef + Lamb New Zealand to facilitate trade access.
MPI has been subject to public scrutiny over biosecurity breaches, disease management, and policy decisions, drawing criticism in events compared to responses in other jurisdictions like the European Union and Australia; notable incidents include public debate around responses to Mycoplasma bovis and disputes over fisheries quota allocation involving companies such as Talley’s Group. Controversies have also arisen over deer velvet export controls and trade negotiations linked to Trans-Pacific Partnership discussions, with legal challenges occasionally appearing before bodies like the High Court of New Zealand and parliamentary inquiries by select committees of the New Zealand House of Representatives.
MPI represents New Zealand in international forums including the World Trade Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and regional bodies such as the Pacific Islands Forum, negotiating agreements that affect market access for exporters like Fonterra and Zespri International Limited. It participates in bilateral and multilateral arrangements with partners including Australia, China, Japan, and United States on issues ranging from biosecurity cooperation to fisheries management under instruments like the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and memoranda with organisations such as the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.
Category:Government agencies of New Zealand Category:Agriculture in New Zealand Category:Fisheries of New Zealand