MAF Biosecurity Authority Animal Biosecurity Standard for the Escort of Animal Shipments into New Zealand

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Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Requirements of the Supplier
  3. Technical Requirements

1. Introduction

1.1 Scope

This standard describes the requirements for veterinary supervision of animals during pre-export isolation and their transport by air into New Zealand as directed by the import health standard or the chief technical officer.

These audit and supervisory activities seek to ensure the maintenance of animal health status and good animal welfare throughout the journey to New Zealand.

1.2 References

ISO/IEC 17020 General criteria for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection.

Import health standards for imported animals (various).

IATA Live Animals Regulations

MAF BA Standard 152.05.01 Aircraft Disinsection and associated MAF Quarantine Services Management Procedures

OIE International Animal Health Code, 2001; Section 4.4 Transport of Animals

1.3 Definitions

For the purposes of this Standard the following definitions apply:

Audit
An evaluation to determine the degree of conformity with prescribed criteria and provide a basis for ongoing improvement.

Biosecurity clearance
A clearance under section 26 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, for the entry of goods into New Zealand.

Chief technical officer
Is the chief technical officer [as defined in section 101 of the Biosecurity Act, 1993] of MAF with responsibility for animal health in New Zealand. The delegatees identified in the definition of approval (see above) are the people to contact where reference is made to a chief technical officer in this Standard.

Contact person
The nominal contact person for matters relating to this Standard shall be the
National Adviser, Import Management
MAF Biosecurity Authority
Box 2526
Wellington
Fax: (04) 4744 132
0064 4 5665252 025 448 438
mulqueenk@maf.govt.nz

Import health standard
A document issued under section 22 of the Biosecurity Act, 1993, which specifies the requirements to be met for the effective management of risks associated with importation of risk goods before those goods may be imported, moved from a biosecurity control area or a transitional facility, or given a biosecurity clearance.

Inspector
A person appointed as an inspector under the Biosecurity Act, 1993.

Internal audit

An audit carried out by the supplier to evaluate its own performance in relation to the Standard or prescribed criteria.

MAF Biosecurity Authority

The body within the MAF responsible for regulatory functions associated with this standard.

Procedure
A document that specifies, as applicable, the purpose and scope of an activity; what shall be done and by whom; when, where, and how it shall be done; what materials, equipment, and documentation shall be used; and how it shall be controlled.

Supplier
The party responsible for the performance of the inspection and audit work under a contract with the MAF Biosecurity Authority. MAF Quarantine Service is the present supplier.

2. Requirements of the Supplier

2.1 Service Outline

The supplier shall provide trained escort veterinarians to oversee pre-export aspects of the flight and escort animals imported into New Zealand.

The critical operating requirements are:

  • The provision of trained, approved veterinarians to perform this service function
  • A system of communications which facilitates reporting and resolution of problems as they occur during the duty.

2.2 General Requirements

Supervision shall be administered in accordance with this Standard; a national quality system based on ISO/IEC 17020 and any relevant legislation.

The supplier shall maintain a register of all approved escort veterinarians.

The supplier shall provide quarterly reports to the chief technical officer giving an update on the supplier's management structure and key personnel, and results of internal audits and corrective actions.

The supplier and employees shall have no financial interest in the imported animals or any other affiliations that could be construed as conflict of interest.

Fees for services provided are entirely a matter between the supplier and the importer and/or the agent.

The supplier may be audited on the provision and performance of the service once a year. This standard, other relevant documents and the supplier’s quality system will form the basis of the audit requirements.

2.3 Key Personnel

Within one month of receipt of this Standard, the supplier shall make formal arrangements for provision of the key personnel listed below. The chief technical officer shall be notified in writing of these arrangements.

2.3.1 Management representative

The management representative (reporting to senior management) shall have defined authority and responsibility for ensuring that there are systems in place to meet the requirements of this Standard and that these systems are implemented and maintained.

2.3.2 Approved escort veterinarians

Qualifications: The escort veterinarian shall be a registered veterinary surgeon and an inspector as defined by the Biosecurity Act, 1993.

The veterinarian shall:

  • have experience in provision of export certification and port duties associated with both import and export of animals through New Zealand ports.
  • be able to demonstrate an understanding of the principles of quarantine, quality systems and auditing, the import health standard, the welfare standards, the requirements of this Standard,
  • some appreciation of the business and objectives of the importer.

The supplier shall ensure that a person appointed to be an escort veterinarian is able to describe in a way that can be clearly understood by the importer the commonly used means for meeting the requirements as specified in this Standard,

The chief technical officer may at any time nominate an escort veterinarian from within Import Management of MAF BA to perform the escort duty.

3. Technical Requirements

3.1 Import management

The contact person in Biosecurity Authority shall advise the management representative when an escort veterinarian is required and the name of the importer or agent.

3.2 Communication with import management

The supplier shall establish a communication system between the contact person and the escort veterinarian so that any problems encountered during the pre-export and transport phases can be resolved.

3.3 Duties of escort veterinarian

The escort veterinarian shall:

  • Have access to the following documents during the period of duty:
    • Copy of the permit to import.
    • Import health standard for country of origin and the Import Health Standard. For the Importation of Livestock into New Zealand by air Routes Transmitting Countries where health risks associated with insect borne pathogens exist.
    • Pre-export isolation requirements.
    • IATA requirements.
    • Conduct for the International Transport by air of cattle, horses, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, deer and ostriches.
    • Procedures for insect control within the hold of the aircraft.
  • Audit the pre-export isolation requirements and veterinary certification of the animals for export to New Zealand.
  • Represent the New Zealand chief technical officer in the country of export to resolve any problems that occur during pre-export phase.
  • Review the animal export health certification before departure and deliver the documents to the Quarantine Service on arrival In New Zealand.
  • Supervise the conditions of the import health standard to ensure the health and isolation status of the animals being transported to New Zealand is maintained throughout the journey.
  • Represent the New Zealand chief technical officer to ensure that the animals remain eligible for entry into New Zealand in the event of unscheduled events during transportation.
  • Supervise the animal welfare requirements for travel of animals to New Zealand to ensure that all animals reach New Zealand in good condition and free from distress.
  • Not spray the aircraft on arrival in New Zealand. This will be done by the quarantine service.
  • Be prepared to complete a biosecurity clearance for the animals on arrival in New Zealand, if appropriate, or direct the animals to a transitional facility with a biosecurity direction. On some occasions a Port Veterinarian may complete this.

3.4 Reporting requirements

The escort veterinarian, within 7 days of arrival in New Zealand, shall document key events of the export including problems encountered, equivalence statements issued and suggestions for improvements on subsequent flights. This report shall be sent to the contact person.

Page last updated: 30 April 2008