Draft IHS for Shelf-stable Spray Dried Egg Powders or Egg Crystals from specified countries

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 document entitled draft import health standard (IHS) for shelf-stable spray dried egg powders or egg crystals from specified countries and dated 14 May 2009 is now available for public consultation and comment.

This IHS for egg powders from specified countries has been drafted to review the mitigation measures and the heat treatment requirements for these commodities in the light of the recent import risk analysis (IRA) for egg powders from all countries. This draft IHS combines several existing IHSs for various egg powders from Canada, the United States of America, Australia and member countries of the European Union. The amended requirements take into account the hazards identified in the IRA for albumen egg powders/crystals (Angara disease caused by FAdV-4) and for all egg powders/crystals (exotic avian influenza).

Comments on this draft document should be forwarded to MAF by close of business on Friday 26 June 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 following address:

Aurelie Castinel
Animal Imports
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
New Zealand

Fax: +64 4 498 0662
Email: Aurelie.Castinel@maf.govt.nz or AnimalImports@maf.govt.nz

Page last updated: 18 May 2009