Emergency Situations

Any person intending to import a new organism for release in an emergency or to release any new organism from containment in an emergency must obtain approval from the EPA. 2327  Under the HSNO Act “emergency” means: 2328

  • An event involving the release of a new organism for which a national pest management strategy has been approved under the Biosecurity Act 1993,
  • A state of emergency declared under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002,
  • An emergency under the Fire Service Act 1975,
  • A marine oil spill emergency under the Maritime Transport Act 1994,
  • An emergency declared under Part 9 of the HSNO Act.

The application must include: 2329

  • Information to identify the organism,
  • Information showing that the organism is necessary to deal with an emergency,
  • A proposed plan for dealing with the use of the organism in the emergency,
  • All information relating to the effects of the organism.

The EPA may only decline an application if it is satisfied that the organism is not necessary for use in an emergency, or the proposed plan does not adequately control the adverse effects of the organism. 2330  If the application is approved, the EPA must impose controls relating to the circumstances in which the organism can be released. 2331

Tutukaka Coast (Credit: Raewyn Peart)

  1. Section 47(1) Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996

  2. Section 46 Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996

  3. Section 47(2) Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996

  4. Section 48(1) Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996

  5. Section 48(2) Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996

Last updated at 12:22PM on February 25, 2015