MAF Biosecurity Standard for Appointing Supervisors of Animal Quarantine and Containment

Control

• The supervisor is in control (compared to advising or providing a fee for service).
• Everyone rules must abide by the rules.
• The supervisor must have the cooperation of the operator and staff of the facility.

Responsibilities when using statutory powers

• The role of a statutory decision-maker and the difference between lines of control and that role.
• The general grounds by which a decision can be challenged, (including unfairness, illegality and unreasonableness).
• The process by which an inspector’s decision may be reviewed.
• The concept of conflict of interest in relation to supervision and steps that might be taken to manage it.

• Statement from applicant that they are familiar with chapters two and three Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinarians issued by the Veterinary Council of New Zealand
  plus
• Successful completion of written exercises 
  plus
• Successful participation in practical exercises. 

The supervisor must demonstrate that they understand the provisions of the Biosecurity Act relating to:

• Part III: Importation of Risk Goods, sections 16 – 41
• Appointment of inspectors, accredited persons and their powers, sections 101-103 and 106 – 128
• Miscellaneous, sections 162A – 164B
• Successful completion of written exercises
  plus
• Successful participation in practical exercises.

The supervisor shall also be able to describe how to:

• seize something
• issue a direction
• issue a biosecurity clearance pursuant to the Biosecurity Act.

• Successful completion of written exercises 
  plus
• Successful participation in practical exercises. 

Statement from the applicant that they are familiar with:

• chapters two and three of the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinarians.
• chapter 1.3.2, Principles of Certification, of Part 1 of the International Animal Health Code of the Organisation Internationale de Epizooties (http://www.oie.int/eng/normes/MCode/A_summry.htm ).

Purpose of quarantine

• To detect or confirm the absence of pests and diseases.
• To contain, deal with or exclude pests and diseases as required by a standard. The chief technical officer must approve any treatments.

Quarantine hygiene

• Nothing may come out of the facility that shouldn’t.

What should happen if

• an animal has died
• an animal is sick
• there is any other emergency.

• Successful completion of written exercises
  plus
• Successful participation in practical exercises.

Implications if quarantine is not managed effectively
The supervisor must demonstrate that they understand the implications if supervision is not carried out correctly:

• New Zealand has to deal with the incursion of the exotic pest or disease.
• New Zealand’s international reputation is endangered, affecting market access for New Zealand exports.

• Statement from the applicant that they are familiar with chapters two and three of the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinariansp plus
• Successful completion of written exercises plus
• Successful participation in practical exercises. Quality systems

The supervisor must demonstrate that they understand the principles of ISO 9000:2000 sufficiently well to:

• judge whether or not a facility’s quality system will maintain quarantine
• set up their own and operate MQS quality systems effectively.

• Successful completion of recognised course on ISO 9000: 2000 principles and audit skills or written statement from the candidate that they operate quality systems in accordance with the principles of ISO 9000 plus
• Assessment of quality systems of the candidate and facility to be supervised during the site visit.

Species knowledge
The supervisor must be able to:

• differentiate between normal andabnormal conditions in the species being supervised
• recognise pests and diseases of the species being supervised that do no occur in New Zealand
• perform a necropsy and assess gross pathology, if the standard requires it
• take samples and send them to the appropriate laboratory in accordance with the appropriate standards
• recognise potential escape routes for the organism and any associated organisms that are of concern and describe preventative measures
• carry out a clinical examination / diagnosis
• carry out humane euthanasia
• carry out quarantine disinfection and fumigation
• assess the welfare of animals being quarantined
• demonstrate familiarity with good practice in animal husbandry and record keeping techniques for the industry.

• Personal statement of clinical experience with the species being supervised, except in the case of novel species, supported of references from peers.
  or
• For novel species, MAF will accept the availability of reference texts or an arrangement with a specialist in the species.

• Availability of electronic mail.
• Practical test, candidate to initiate an email and reply to an email.

Knowledge of relevant standards  

Import health standards

• Describe the purpose of an import health standard.
• Identify those sections of a relevant import health standard than might be used during quarantine.

Section 39 facility standards

• Describe the purpose of a section 39 facility standard.
• Demonstrate knowledge of all parts of a relevant section 39 standard.
• If a relevant section 39 standard refers to another standard, be able to identify the relevant provisions of the other standard.

Supervisor to develop an action plan, using the relevant import health standard and section 39 facility standard for:

• Before arrival of a shipment
• As a shipment arrives
• During a period of quarantine
• Prior to biosecurity clearance being given.

Action plan to be assessed during site visit.

Animal Welfare Act 1999, Part 6
The supervisor must be able to:

• recognise when a test is captured by Part 6 of the Animal Welfare Act (sentinel animals are used)
• demonstrate knowledge of the process that has to be gone through before the test can be carried out.

• Successful completion of written exercises plus
• Successful participation in practical exercises.