Seeds for Sowing

Click on the word ‘basic’ in the Plant Biosecurity Index (PBI) when you do a search and it takes you to the Seeds for Sowing page on the MPI website.

From there, click on the Importing Guide and read further.

Most importantly you need to download the ‘HIS for Importing Seed for Sowing’ pdf (155.02.05). This is a rather long document – 139 pages – but for seeds termed ‘basic’ you just need to read through Part 1.

Where the PBI indicates ‘see 155.02.05 under genus x’, you will need to follow the general requirements in Part 1, find the section the Index mentions, and then make sure you follow those requirements too.

For example, Petunia x hybrid in the PBI says ‘see 155.02.05 under Petunia’. You’ll need to read through Part 2 of ‘HIS for Importing Seed for Sowing’ under Petunia, which sets out the specific phytosanitary requirements that must be met in addition to Part 1. Genetically modified (GM) testing certificates are required for all consignments • of: Brassica napus var. oleifera (rapeseed) • Glycine max (soybeans) • Gossypium hirsutum (Mexican cotton) • Medicago sativa (alfalfa) • Petunia • Zea mays var. indentata and Zea mays var. saccharate (maize) The exceptions will be stated in the Protocol for Testing Seed Imports for the Presence of Genetically Modified Seeds.

Pelleted seeds will need to comply with the biosecurity requirements listed in the ‘New border measures for pelleted seeds for sowing’ document.