Draft Import Health Standard for Commercial Poultry Hatching Eggs and Specific-Pathogen-Free-Eggs

The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) 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 import requirements that must be met either in the country of origin or of export, or during transit, before biosecurity clearance can be given for the goods to enter New Zealand. MPI must ensure that these requirements are technically justified and provide an appropriate level of biosecurity protection. The IHS has been developed in the new BSP format and the consultation package includes the IHS, the risk management proposal and a guidance document.

The following draft documents have been issued for public consultation and comment:

The following draft document has been issued to provide additional information with regards to the measures proposed in the import health standard and guidance documents:

For complete background information, please see the Import risk analysis: Hatching eggs from chickens (Gallus gallus) from the European Union, Canada, the United States of America, and Australia (January 2009) Link to PDF document (216 KB)

Comments on these draft documents should be forwarded to MPI by close of business on 10th August 2012. MPI 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:

Animal Imports: Poultry Hatching Eggs and SPF eggs Consultation
Animal & Animal Products Directorate
Standards Branch
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington
New Zealand

Fax: +64 4 894 0733
Email: animalimports@mpi.govt.nz

Please see the MPI New Zealand website for additional information on Making a submission

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.

After issuing the standard, MPI will bilaterally negotiate veterinary certificates with the approved countries. Consideration will be given in this process to requests for equivalence to the IHS requirements, taking into account country-specific conditions.

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.

Page last updated: 11 June 2012