Early consultation, visible time limits and accountability settings are what matter now the ACVM Amendment Bill has passed, according to industry.

Dr Liz Shackleton, Chief Executive of Animal and Plant Health New Zealand, says the bill sets the framework and the real test lies in the regulations to come.

She says a Ministry for Regulation review found some people waited 5.6 to 8.3 years for a decision.

The bill opens the door to recognising overseas regulators’ assessments.

“If there’s no unique to New Zealand risk, you’re not assessing the same thing twice.”

Shackleton says the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms reform is a bigger bill that has not passed and will be round two next term.

CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch/listen or download the CountryWide CONNECT mobile app, available on Apple iOS and Android.

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