The Sea Container Hygiene System used by Australia and New Zealand as a strategy designed to manage the biosecurity risks associated with sea containers at the port of loading and implementation is being considered in Rarotonga.

New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries consultant, Gene Brownie explained the system and facilitating a training with Cook Islands officials at Avatiu Ports yesterday.

Ministry of Agriculture biosecurity director Ngatoko Ngatoko said there were “probably benefits of the scheme” but the ministry needed the commercial sector on board.

Ngatoko said talks would take place with importers today to get their views on the system.

He said the Ministry of Agriculture would decide over the next three months if they would implement the scheme.

The system is designed for New Zealand and Australia to manage the biosecurity risk associated with sea containers.

Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Tonga are some of the Pacific island countries that currently use the system.