Growers, maize seed companies and maize seed merchants will not have to pay the maize biosecurity levy for transactions conducted after 1st July 2025.
Growers, maize seed companies and maize seed merchants will not have to pay the maize biosecurity levy for transactions conducted after 1st July 2025.
From that date, the Seed and Grain Readiness and Response (SGRR) Maize Biosecurity Levy was set to zero.
The maize biosecurity levy was activated on 1st April 2024 to fund the arable sector’s share of costs associated with the 2022 Fall Armyworm (FAW) incursion. “We are pleased to report that this targeted biosecurity levy has now met its funding objective and is no longer required. We thank all contributors for their support during this response,” says SGRR chair Ivan Lawrie.
After FAW was first detected in New Zealand in March 2022, an initial biosecurity response included surveillance and research to better understand the maize pest, its spread, and potential impacts.
In April 2023, Biosecurity New Zealand and sector partners agreed to close the FAW response as the pest was widespread in the North Island and repeated incursions via wind from Australia were likely.
The Foundation for Arable Research now leads a long-term management programme for FAW.
Meanwhile, the Arable Crops Biosecurity Levy remains active following incursions of the invasive weed black-grass. This levy is still required to meet obligations under current biosecurity responses, Ivan Lawrie says.
In the 2025 financial year, SGRR paid the first instalment of its cost-share contribution for the 2021 black-grass incursion. The second and final payment is expected before the end of the 2025/26 financial year.
“In addition, as many of you will be aware, a new black-grass response commenced in May 2025. Costs for this response are currently ongoing and not yet finalised.” The current Arable Crops Biosecurity Levy will be used to meet SGRR’s share of costs as they arise under its obligations through the Government Industry Agreement for Biosecurity Readiness and Response (GIA).
The Arable Crops Biosecurity Levy will remain set at a rate of 0.1% on all harvested seed or grain (except maize) – shared equally between growers (0.05%) and merchant or processor (0.05%).
Seed and Grain Readiness and Response Incorporated (SGRR) is the biosecurity entity for the arable sector. It was established in 2020 by partners Federated Farmers Arable Industry Group, United Wheat Growers, Foundation for Arable Research, New Zealand Flour Millers’ Association and New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association.
“SGRR remains committed to representing the arable industry in biosecurity readiness and response. We will continue to provide timely updates on the use of levy funds and progress of our response activities,” Ivan Lawrie says.
The Biosecurity (Response—Arable Crops Levy) Order 2023 levy can be viewed on the Government New Zealand Legislation website Biosecurity (Response—Arable Crops Levy) Order 2023 (SL 2023/78) Contents – New Zealand Legislation.