Background information

Guide to key elements of the HSNO Act

Costs of application preparation

The time and cost of putting together an application to be submitted to the EPA should not be underestimated. Sufficient time should be allowed to optimise the chances of a favourable outcome. The applicant should consider the following before starting to complete the application form:

Have discussions with the EPA taken place so that the application is expected, and been accepted in general terms as appropriate for an application to be submitted?
Have containment tests been completed and analysed so that the results can be shown to support the claims made about the environmental safety of the biological control agent?
Have discussions with DOC taken place to check their agreement with test species for host range testing?
Have discussions with MPI taken place to check that biosecurity and import health standards [http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/ihs/search] have been met?
Has support for the biological control agent been shown by appropriate stakeholders, and information to support economic/environmental benefits collated?
Have discussions taken place with interest groups expected to oppose the application?
Has appropriate consultation with Maori taken place?
Has a comprehensive series of publications and supporting information and literature been assembled which will be required for writing the application?
Has the applicant read applications previously prepared by successful applicants?
Is the applicant familiar with the application form and understands the information required?

If these questions have been addressed then the applicant is in a good position to prepare the application. Sufficient time should be allowed to consider each section of the form very carefully.