20 December 2010

MAFBNZ and Customs Line-up

Today’s launch by New Zealand Customs Service and MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) of a new IT-based application is the latest move in an ongoing programme where the two agencies work closer together.

Developed by Customs for MAFBNZ within the Customs’ CusMod system, the MAFCraft application will clear overseas vessels visiting New Zealand deliver improved ability to gather, store and assess information from arriving vessels, and enable a verification approach to vessel inspection and clearance based on risk.

MAFBNZ Border Change Programme Sponsor, Theresa Morrissey, says MAFCraft marked the start of a wide-ranging MAFBNZ Border Change Programme where resources are focussed on greatest risk areas through improved targeting.

“MAFCraft will enable implementation of the new vessels import health standard, Requirements for Vessels Arriving in New Zealand, where inspection activity will be targeted to the level of risk posed by each vessel”, Ms Morrissey said.

For the shipping industry, MAFCraft meant all arrival information and declarations would be sent to the combined MAF and Customs national processing centre, rather than the first port of arrival.

“Effectively, this means information such as the Advanced Notice of Arrival, Ballast Water Declaration, and Master’s Declaration, will be sent to the NZ Customs Service address and will be processed centrally for both agencies, with MAF inspection activity at ports being directed via the MAFCraft system”, Ms Morrissey said.

Customs’ Intelligence, Planning and Coordination Manager, John Duxfield, said the application provided an important tool for the MAF/Customs team within the joint agency processing centre, and would support improved facilitation and biosecurity risk management for all overseas vessels arriving at the border.

ENDS

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