Draft Import Health Standard for Alpacas and Llamas 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.

The following documents are now available for public consultation and comment:

Alpacas are commonly imported into New Zealand. Most alpacas imported into New Zealand are exported from Australia.

Concerns have been raised in regard to the biosecurity risk posed by the practice of some Australian exporters of importation of alpacas and llamas from countries from which New Zealand does not currently allow importation (i.e. South America) followed by exportation of the same animal(s to New Zealand. The current import health standard for llamas and alpacas from Australia is based on diseases and animal health status currently in existence in Australia and may not address the risk of other diseases and pests present in South America.

The import health standard has been amended to confirm that animals have been born in and have lived continuously in Australia or were imported into Australia from New Zealand.

A clause has been added to require that copies of import permit and health certification be sent to New Zealand Official Veterinarian at the port of entry at least 72 hours prior to shipment of animals.

The requirement for Q fever testing in the standard has been changed to CFT from ELISA because it has been determined that the ELISA test for Q fever is not applicable to llamas and likely results in false negatives.

The requirement for a weed and weed seed free diet has been changed from 3 days to 10 days prior to export.

Comments on these draft documents should be forwarded to MAF by close of business on 17 March 2009. 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:

  • Marguerite Hernandez
    Border Standards Directorate
    MAF Biosecurity New Zealand
    Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
    PO Box 2526
    Wellington
    New Zealand

    Fax: +64 4 894 0733
    Email: marguerite.hernandez@maf.govt.nz

Page last updated: 13 February 2009