Frequently Asked Questions

Could didymo spread to lakes throughout New Zealand?

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.

What independent verifications is there of New Zealand's BSE free status?

In July 2000, the EU Scientific Steering Committee (EU SSC) published the results of a 'Geographical BSE-Risk Assessment' of 24 countries including New Zealand which was classified in Category 1, the lowest risk category (lowest risk being the highest achievable category) along with Australia, Norway, Paraguay, Argentina, and Chile. The assessment rated the 'likelihood' that live cattle could be clinically or pre-clinically infected with the BSE agent. The EU SSC again assessed New Zealand's Geographical BSE risk in 2002 the report published in November 2002 again classified NZ as Category 1.

Under the EU SSC assessment the US and Canada are Category 2, i.e. "unlikely but not excluded." A case of BSE has subsequently been detected in Canada in May 2003.

Why do I have to clean items that have been in contact with water between EVERY river?

Didymo is hard to detect in its microscopic form, so it is invisible in some waterways. People need to treat all waterways as if they might have didymo. People need to Check, Clean, Dry everytime they use a waterway.

How long are consultation documents available to make submissions?

Generally documents are made available for consultation for 30 working days after which they are finalised following consideration of submissions made during that time. Once finalised, they are posted to other relevant areas in this website with the review of submissions.

What if the Quarantine Declaration is not compliant, or my supplier doesn't know the answer to a question or leaves it blank?

If the Quarantine Declaration is not compliant (see Question 1), or if a question of the Quarantine Declaration has been answered "don’t know" or left blank, you should follow the steps in Question 4 (import entry) or 5 (ECI report) for non-compliant Quarantine Declarations.

My service dog has a current rabies vaccination but no rabies titre test. Can my dog enter NZ with me without this test?

No. Assistance dogs must comply with all of the testing and treatment requirements for dogs and cats from the country of origin but may not have to complete post arrival quarantine:
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/imports/animals/standards/dogbliic.all.htm (offsite link to www.biosecurity.govt.nz)

During grading is packing of a particular size for Taiwan allowed when other sizes are destined for another market? Sec. 4.2.2.1

Yes. The intention of this section is that potatoes not cleared for Taiwan are not packed at the same time as those that are cleared for Taiwan. The wording of this section has been changed.

What did New Zealand do about the British atypical scrapie finds?

In the wake of the finds, MAFBNZ traced all the flocks that had contributed to the original consignment of research sheep sent to the UK. Historical samples from these flocks were examined, and sheep from two of the larger flocks that contained higher numbers of older sheep were tested for atypical scrapie. No evidence of atypical scrapie was found.

If the wood packaging attached to my importation is non-compliant, as the importer, am I responsible?

Yes. If you have untreated wood packaging in your consignment after 1 July 2006 you will have to treat, reship or destroy it. The costs of this will be borne by the importer.

When will a ban come into effect on NPPA listed species?

Technically, a ban comes into effect when the plant is determined to be an unwanted organism by the Chief Technical Officer but regional councils do not enforce the ban for the first six months, to ensure that all outlets are aware the plant is banned.