ERMA New Zealand Evaluation and Review Report Application for approval to import a new livestock animal, Camelus dromedarius (dromedary or Arabian camels) Application Code: NOR08002 Prepared for the Environmental Risk Management Authority, pursuant to section 58(1)(a) of the HSNO Act. Table of Contents 1 Executive Summary ....................................................................................................... 3 2 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 4 3 Information review ......................................................................................................... 6 4 Risk management context .............................................................................................. 6 5 Associated approvals ...................................................................................................... 9 6 Organism Description .................................................................................................. 10 7 Likelihood of forming a self-sustaining population anywhere in New Zealand, taking into ease the chance of eradication ....................................................................................... 13 8 Identification and assessment of potentially significant adverse effects (risks and costs) ..................................................................................................................................... 18 9 Previous similar applications ....................................................................................... 39 10 Associated approvals .................................................................................................... 39 11 International obligations ............................................................................................... 39 12 Overall evaluation ........................................................................................................ 39 Appendix 1: Decision path and qualitative descriptors ........................................................ 41 Appendix 2: Biographies of for individuals noted in text and appendices .......................... 48 Appendix 3: Organism Description ...................................................................................... 49 Appendix 4: Probability of a self-sustaining population(s) forming, taking into account the ease of eradication ................................................................................................................ 51 Appendix 5 Australian Vertebrate Risk Assessment ........................................................... 61 Appendix 6: Summary of consultation with District and Regional Councils, Non- Governmental Organisations and Iwi/Māori ........................................................................ 78 Appendix 7 MAF and DOC comments on the application and ERMA New Zealand Agency Response ............................................................................................................................... 83 Appendix 8 References contained within this Report .......................................................... 90 Evaluation and Review Report for NOR08002 Page 2 of 95 1 Executive Summary Application NOR08002 seeks approval to import for release by rapid assessment a new livestock animal, Camelus dromedarius (dromedary or Arabian camels) We have assessed potentially significant adverse effects on the environment, human health and safety Māori culture and traditions, society and communities, and the market economy. From this science assessment we have concluded that biophysically camels do not pose significant risks to the environment, human health and safety, society and communities, and the market economy. However, with regard to Māori culture and traditions we have identified two significant effects namely (a) the potential for camels to adversely effect the relationship of Māori and their culture and traditions (including kaitiakitanga) with their waahi tapu and (b) the potential adverse effects of camels on certain Māori cultural practices. The lack of ways to mitigate these two significant effects may be viewed as being inconsistent with the Treaty of Waitangi principle of active protection. Assessed against the criteria in section 35 the evidence is firmly suggestive that camels fit the criteria; they are not unwanted organisms as defined under the Biosecurity Act and it is highly improbable that the organism, after release camels could: (a) form self-sustaining populations anywhere in New Zealand, taking into account the ease of eradication; (b) displace or reduce a valued species; (c) cause deterioration of natural habitats; (d) will be disease-causing or be a parasite, or be a vector or reservoir for human, plant, or animal disease; or (e) will have any adverse effects on human health and safety or the environment. We have concluded it is highly improbable that camels will form a self-sustaining population in New Zealand, the climate and habitat is generally unsuitable and camels are unlikely to exceed the minimum viable population size. We see no significant biophysical effects from any release of camels in New Zealand. Evaluation and Review Report for NOR08002 Page 3 of 95 2 Introduction 2.1 The Environmental Risk Management Authority 2.1.1 The Environmental Risk Management Authority, or ERMA New Zealand, comprises the Authority (a quasi-judicial decision-making body), the Agency (the support organisation for the Authority) and Ngā Kaihautū Tikanga Taiao (a Committee to advise the Authority on Māori issues). 2.2 The Evaluation and Review Report 2.2.1 The Evaluation & Review (E&R) report is written by the Agency to assist and support decision-making by the Authority, pursuant to section 58(1)(a) of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996. 2.2.2 This E&R report consolidates the information provided by the applicant and obtained from other sources into a format and sequence that is consistent with the decision making requirements of the HSNO Act and of the HSNO Methodology Order 1998 (the Methodology). 2.2.3 The E&R Report does not make recommendations, nor direct or prejudge the decision that the Authority might make on the application. 2.3 Rapid assessment for release applications 2.3.1 This application for approval to release a new organism under section 34 and has been assessed under section 35 of the Act ‗rapid assessment of risk for importation of new organisms‘. A rapid assessment application seeks approval to release new organisms into the environment without controls. 2.3.2 The purpose of the application is to ―To import for release by rapid assessment a new livestock animal, Camelus dromedaries (dromedary or Arabian camels)‖. Both before and after the formal receipt of the application we have fielded a number of enquiries regarding camels and the desire to use them in New Zealand for purposes such as filming, trekking and general unspecified uses. 2.4 Application receipt and targeted consultation with Councils and NGO’s and iwi/Māori Table 1 Application Receipt and targeted consultation Application Receipt and targeted consultation Date Time first draft application received. 6 June 2008 Initial assessment of whether rapid assessment could be suitable 26 June 2008 Closed 19 Applicant conducted Māori Consultation nationwide with 137 September Evaluation and Review Report for NOR08002 Page 4 of 95 contacts on the draft application. 2008 85 Regional and District Councils and 26 Non-Government 3 September Agencies were provided an opportunity to comment on the - 3 October application. 2008 5 January Formal receipt of application (under section 34 of the Act) 2009 5 January Application placed under a section 58 waiver to allow a second 2009 – round of Maori consultation Expires 20 March 2009 8 January Agency conducted additional Māori Consultation1 with 160 2009 - 27 contacts nationwide on the draft ecological risk assessment. February 2009 Department of Conservation (DOC) and the Ministry of 20 working Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity New Zealand (MAF BNZ) days for were consulted on the draft ecological risk assessment and final comment application. 20 March Application placed under a second section 58 waiver to allow 2009 - additional time for the completion of the E&R Report. Expires 31 March 2009 2.5 Targeted Consultation 2.5.1 The Authority is not required by Section 53(1)(b) of the Act to publicly notify applications to be determined under section 35 of the Act. However, the Agency conducted targeted consultation with 85 Regional and District Councils and 26 non- government agencies asking for their comments on the application. In addition the applicant was required to consult nationally with between approximately 140 to 160 iwi/Māori during two separate rounds of consultation in accordance with ERMA New Zealand policy and guidelines. Seven councils (8%) and three NGO‘s (12%) and 36 iwi/Māori (12%) provided us with feedback. 1 The agency conducted this further national iwi/Māori consultation as it became apparent that those consulted by the applicant may not have been aware of the full implications of such an application ie that it was not limited to the importation of eight camels for a trekking tourism venture in the Bay of Plenty. Individual names of respondents are not identified throughout this report as there has been insufficient time to confirm whether they agreed with these details being made publicly available. Evaluation