Draft IHS for Zoo Lizards from Australia and Zoo Lizard Hatching Eggs from Australia.

The New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) must consult with interested parties before issuing or amending (other than of minor nature) import health standards in accordance with Section 22 of the Biosecurity Act (1993) and Biosecurity New Zealand's consultation policy. An import health standard specifies Zoosanitary requirements that must be carried out, either in the country of origin or of export, during transit, or in quarantine, before biosecurity clearance can be given for the commodity to enter New Zealand. MAF must ensure that these requirements are technically justified and provide an appropriate level of biosecurity protection.

In 2008 the Import Risk Analysis was completed for specified members of the order Squamata from government approved zoological collections in Australia was finalised. As a result the development of the subsequent Import Health Standards (IHSs) followed. These IHSs set the requirements to import Lizards and Lizard Hatching Eggs from Australia.

Please find enclosed a copy of the draft IHS for Zoo Lizards and Zoo Lizard Hatching Eggs from Australia, dated 30 June 2010. These documents can also be viewed on the MAF website at:

Comments on these draft documents should be forwarded to MAF by close of business on 11 August 2010. MAF encourages respondents to forward comments electronically to the email address below. However, should you wish to forward submissions in writing, please send them to the address that follows:

Erin Maher
Pre-Clearance Directorate
Biosecurity New Zealand
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

PO Box 2526
Wellington
New Zealand

Fax: +64 4 894 0733
Email: erin.maher@maf.govt.nz

Please see the MAF Biosecurity New Zealand website for additional information on 'Making a submission':
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/faq/term/915/consultation-2.htm

Submissions received by the closure date will be considered for the final issue of this import health standard. Submissions received after the closure date may be held on file for consideration when the issued standard is next revised/reviewed.

Please note that your submission is public information. Submissions may be the subject of requests for information under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA specifies that information is to be made available to requesters unless there are sufficient grounds for withholding it, as set out in the OIA. Submitters may wish to indicate grounds for withholding specific information contained in their submission, such as the information is commercially sensitive or they wish personal information to be withheld. Any decision to withhold information requested under the OIA is reviewable by the Ombudsman.

Yours sincerely

Erin Maher
Adviser, Animal Imports
Biosecurity New Zealand

Page last updated: 1 July 2010