Import Risk Analysis (IRA) can be a large, complex and scientifically rigorous process requiring substantial resources to ensure the risk posed by a set of pests and diseases associated with an import commodity are identified and assessed. As global trade increases, so do new requests to import goods into New Zealand. The ever-increasing number of requests for IRAs paired with the time needed to complete them before goods can be imported typically results in a backlog, placing more pressure on already strained resources. In response,  a project titled: Streamlining the risk assessment process was undertaken.
This project seeks to map out the range of opportunities for improving IRA production efficiency as well as pilot testing selected opportunities for efficiency gain for NZ MPI.