Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Although didymo prefers a river environment with clear water flowing over stable substrate at depths sufficient for light penetration to drive photosynthesis, blooms have been found in South Island Lakes. Lake Wakatipu, for example, contains visible didymo on some parts of the lake shore.

MAF and ERMA New Zealand have the ability to prosecute under the both the HSNO and Biosecurity Acts.  This is considered on a case-by-case basis.

It is unknown how the mite arrived in New Zealand. Varroa is usually spread by live bees, and there have been no live bee imports permitted into New Zealand for at least 40 years. Varroa probably arrived either with an illegal introduction of queen bees from a varroa-infested country, or in a bee colony or swarm that established on or in a shipping container and survived the journey to New Zealand without detection.

  Yes, but under certain conditions. Minimum standards for the use of electric or electronic collars are in the code of welfare for dogs.

There are no known effects on environmental or human health.

All tests must be conducted at a Government laboratory or a Government-approved laboratory.

MPI does not keep a list of these overseas government laboratory or government-approved laboratories. Your veterinarian or pet exporter or official government veterinarian can help you.

Yes - You can specify the MPI worksite that you wish the Electronic BACC Application (eBACCa) to be addressed to. However, the Inbound Messaging queue also allows MPI staff to view all eBACCas on a national basis where required.

Note - The system provides MPI with flexibility on resourcing and allows MPI staff to improve turn around time and consistently meet service delivery targets.

The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) is aware of one accredited tail banding scheme that is managed by the New Zealand Kennel Club. More information is available on their website. Anyone can establish an accreditation scheme, as long as it meets the requirements in the code of welfare.

Please note this information is provided by way of general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Parties are advised to seek independent legal advice in relation to particular fact situations.

Most imported seed is grown into pasture or lucerne hay for feeding livestock. A smaller proportion is sprouted as alfalfa sprouts for human consumption.

In 2005, New Zealand imported approximately 37,000 kg of lucerne seed for sowing and approximately 9, 000 kg seed for sprouting.

Potential routes of entry include illegal imports of poultry and unprocessed poultry products or the movement of contaminated fomites (virus in avian faecal material on packaging, clothing, equipment etc and other commodities from infected areas).

New Zealand prides itself on keeping disease at bay with strict biosecurity measures at the border and stringent testing regimes. Import Health Standards prevent entry in imported risk goods, and our unique major poultry disease-free status indicates that this system is highly effective.