Importing used equipment associated with animals or water

1 May 2010

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USER GUIDE

The information in this import health standard is in three parts:

Part A. GENERAL INFORMATION describes the legal basis for this import health standard and the general responsibilities of the importer.

Part B. IMPORTATION PROCEDURE outlines whether a permit is required, the conditions of eligibility, and documentation that may need to accompany the consignment.

Part C. CLEARANCE PROCEDURE describes the clearance requirements at the New Zealand border and, if necessary, whether the consignment must go to a transitional facility or containment facility.

PART A. GENERAL INFORMATION

1 IMPORT HEALTH STANDARD

1.1 Pursuant to section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, this document is the import health standard for the importation into New Zealand of equipment associated with animals or water.

1.2 Obtaining biosecurity clearance for each consignment of equipment associated with animals or water imported into New Zealand is dependant upon the consignment meeting the requirements of this import health standard and is subject to the requirements in section 27 and 28 of the Biosecurity Act 1993.

2 IMPORTER'S RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1 It is the importers responsibility to ensure that they are compliant with the current import health standard at the time of importation. Current versions of import health standards are available online : http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/ihs/search

A register of import health standards is also publicly available for inspection at the office of the Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Wellington, New Zealand.

2.2. The costs to MAF Biosecurity New Zealand in performing functions relating to the importation of equipment used with animals or water must be recovered in accordance with the Biosecurity Act and any regulations made under that Act. All costs involved with documentation, transport, storage and obtaining a biosecurity clearance must be covered by the importer or agent

3 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Absorbent material
Material that retains water within the fibre of the material, even after the item has been drained and/or the surface(s) wiped dry of excess water.

Biosecurity Clearance
A clearance under section 26 of the Biosecurity Act (1993) for the entry of goods into New Zealand. (Explanatory Note: Goods given a Biosecurity Clearance by an Inspector are released to the importer without restriction).

Biosecurity Direction
Written authority from an inspector, given under section 25 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, to move uncleared goods from a transitional facility or biosecurity control area to another transitional facility, containment facility or biosecurity control area, or to re-export those goods from New Zealand.

Inspector
Means a person who is appointed an inspector under section 103 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 to undertake administering and enforcing the provisions of the Biosecurity Act and controls imposed under the HSNO act.

MAFBNZ
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity New Zealand

Treatment
Procedure authorised by MAFBNZ for the killing, inactivation or removal of pests, or for rendering pests infertile or for devitalisation [FAO, 1990, revised FAO, 1995; ISPM No 15, 2002; ISPM No 18, 2003]

Transitional facility
Means (a) any place approved as a transitional facility in accordance with section 39 of the Biosecurity Act (1993) for the purpose of inspection, testing, storage, treatment, holding or destruction of uncleared goods; or (b) a part of a port declared to be a transitional facility in accordance with section 39 of the Biosecurity Act 1993.

4 EQUIVALENCE

4.1 The import health standard has been agreed as suitable for trade between the exporting and the importing countries. It is expected that the consignment will meet the conditions in every respect.

4.2 Occasionally it may be found that, due to circumstances beyond the control of the importer or exporter, a consignment does not comply with the specific requirements in this import health standard, but may meet the outcomes sought by the standard. In such cases, a permit to import application may be made, equivalence granted and import permit issued at the discretion of MAF Biosecurity New Zealand. The following information must be forwarded by the certifying government's veterinary authority for an equivalence to be considered:

• which clause/s of the import health standard cannot be met and how this has occurred;
• the reason the consignment is considered to be of an "equivalent health" status;
• the reasons why the veterinary authority of the country of origin believe this proposal should be acceptable to the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and their recommendation for its acceptance.

PART B. IMPORTATION PROCEDURE

5 PERMIT TO IMPORT

5.1 A permit to import is not required for items that meet the requirements of this import health standard.

6 ELIGIBILITY

6.1 The following items are NOT eligible for importation under this import health standard:

6.1.1 All bedding accompanying an animal, including but not limited to newspaper, clothing, sacking, fabric toys and other materials that may harbour any life stages of ticks or fleas. The bedding will be destroyed at the importers expense at the time and place of inspection of the animal.

6.1.1 Used beekeeping equipment, with the exception of uncapping knives if they meet the requirements of this import health standard.

6.2 Used equipment associated with terrestrial animals or terrestrial animal-related activities (NOT including equine animals and birds) from any country may be given biosecurity clearance provided ALL of the following requirements are met:

6.2.1 The equipment must be clean

The equipment must be visibly clean and free from contamination with organic material such as animal parts, blood, faeces, fatty tissues, flesh, hair, wool, feathers, milk, mucous, semen, algae, fungal material, plant parts, seeds, soil, and weeds.

AND

6.2.2 Equipment associated with alpacas, llamas, cattle, buffalo, pigs, sheep and goats, containing absorbent material (e.g. rope halters) must be completely dry.

AND

6.2.3 No ticks or fleas are found on the equipment.

OR

6.2.4 If imported on an animal

Used equipment imported on an animal may be given Biosecurity Clearance without meeting the requirements listed under clause 6.2.1 and 6.2.2, provided:

a. the equipment is required for the handling of that animal (such as collars, guide ropes, halters, etc);

AND

b. no ticks or fleas are found on the animal or the equipment;

AND

c. Biosecurity Clearance has been given to the animal the equipment is imported on.

[If the animal has been directed by an Inspector to a transitional facility, the equipment must accompany that animal into the facility and must remain within the facility until the animal has been given biosecurity clearance].

Note:

Used equipment associated with terrestrial animals or terrestrial animal-related activities include animal apparel (boots, collars, covers, harnesses and rugs), animal cages, animal grooming accessories, assisted birthing equipment (e.g. calving or lambing equipment), clippers, dentistry equipment, shearing equipment, used semen and embryo containers (not associated with the importation of viable genetic material), and veterinary equipment.

This list is not exhaustive.

6.3 Used equipment associated with equine animals (e.g. horses, donkeys, mules) and birds or related activities from any country may be given biosecurity clearance provided ALL of the following requirements are met:

6.3.1 The equipment must be clean;

The equipment must be visibly clean and free from contamination with organic material such as algae, animal parts, blood, faeces, fatty tissues, flesh, hair, wool, feathers, milk, mucous, semen, fungal material, plant parts, seeds, soil, and weeds;

AND

6.3.2 The equipment must be treated on arrival

On arrival the equipment has been subjected to one or more of the treatments as outlined in the Approved Biosecurity Treatments for Risk Goods Directed for Treatment.

OR

6.3.3 If imported on a horse

Equipment imported on a horse may be given biosecurity clearance without meeting the requirements listed under clause 6.3.1 and 6.3.2, provided it meets all of the requirements specified under Clause 6.2.4

OR

6.3.4 Horse equipment imported from Australia only

Horse equipment from Australia may be given Biosecurity Clearance without treatment on arrival, provided the equipment is clean.

The equipment must be visibly clean and free from contamination with organic material such as algae, animal parts, blood, faeces, fatty tissues, flesh, hair, wool, feathers, milk, mucous, semen, fungal material, plant parts, seeds, soil, and weeds.

6.4 Veterinary kits^* associated with equine animals may be given biosecurity clearance provided the following requirements are met:

6.4.1 the veterinary kit must be clean.

The equipment must be visibly clean and free from contamination with organic material such as algae, animal parts, blood, faeces, fatty tissues, flesh, hair, wool, feathers, milk, mucous, semen, fungal material, plant parts, seeds, soil, and weeds;

AND

6.4.2 (i)the veterinary kit was imported from Australia;

OR

(ii) the veterinary kit is treated on arrival.

6.5 Veterinary kits associated with equine animals that are not eligible for biosecurity clearance may be labelled, double bagged and held by MAF in transit.

6.5.1 Veterinary kits from all countries other than Australia must be held for at

least 48 hours before the kit may leave New Zealand

OR

6.5.2 Veterinary kits from Australia may be held as required before the kit may leave New Zealand (no minimum time period applies).

Notes:

^* With regards to vet kits, the requirements of the New Zealand Veterinary Association and the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Group of NZFSA also apply.

Used equipment associated with horses, donkeys, mules and birds or related activities include animal apparel (such as saddles, bridles, bits, reins, covers, harnesses), grooming accessories, riding boots, gaiters, horse stalls or floats, foaling equipment, used semen and embryo containers (not associated with the importation of viable genetic material), veterinary equipment, bird cages or crates, aviary equipment, falconry equipment, poultry farming equipment, feeders and drinking equipment.

This list is not exhaustive.

6.4 Used equipment associated with marine aquatic animals or marine water activities (such as aquaculture, fishing, shellfish gathering or recreation) from any country may be given biosecurity clearance provided ALL of the following requirements are met:

6.4.1 The equipment must be clean

The equipment must be visibly clean and free from contamination with organic material such as algae, animal parts, blood, faeces, fatty tissues, flesh, fungal material, hair, plant parts, seeds, sediment, soil, weeds and biofouling or other aquatic organisms.

AND

6.4.2 All parts of the equipment must be completely dry on arrival.

Note:

Used equipment associated with marine aquatic animals or marine water activities include aquaculture equipment, aquaria equipment, wetsuits, diving equipment, fishing equipment, canoes, kayaks, surfboards, boats, nets, traps, ropes, buoys, and pontoons.

This list is not exhaustive.

6.5 Used equipment associated with freshwater aquatic animals or freshwater activities from any country may be given biosecurity clearance provided ALL of the following requirements are met:

6.5.1 The equipment must be clean

The equipment must be visibly clean and free from contamination with organic material such as algae, animal parts, blood, faeces, fatty tissues, feathers, flesh, fungal material, hair, plant parts, seeds, soil, weeds, wool and biofouling or other aquatic organism.

AND

6.5.2 All parts of the equipment must be completely dry on arrival.

Notes:

- Used equipment associated with freshwater aquatic animals or freshwater activities, containing absorbent material (such as nets, traps, ropes, leather, fabrics, cloth, neoprene, and other material that traps water when wetted) and non-absorbent material includes aquaria equipment, fishing and angling equipment and clothing, boating equipment, canoes, kayaks, boats, buoys, and pontoons. This list is not exhaustive.

- It is difficult to determine whether used felt-soled fishing footwear (waders and boots) are completely dry on the inside of the sole. They may therefore be directed for treatment on arrival even though they appear completely dry on the outside.

PART C. CLEARANCE PROCEDURE

7 BIOSECURITY CLEARANCE AND DIRECTION

7.1 Upon arrival in New Zealand, the consignment may be inspected by an Inspector at the port of arrival.

7.2 Where an Inspector is NOT satisfied that the consignment meets ALL of the requirements stated in the Eligibility section of this import health standard, they must:

EITHER 7.2.1 Treat the consignment at the port of arrival with one or more of the specified treatments as outlined in Approved Biosecurity Treatments for Risk Goods Directed for Treatment.

OR 7.2.2 Issue a biosecurity direction under section 25 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 authorising the consignment to be directed to an approved treatment facility where it is subject to one or more of the specified treatments as outlined in Approved Biosecurity Treatments for Risk Goods Directed for Treatment.

OR 7.2.3 Reship or destroy the consignment at the importer’s expense.

7.3 Providing that the consignment meets ALL the requirements stated in the Eligibility section and the Biosecurity Clearance and Direction section of this import health standard, the consignment may, subject to sections 27 and 28 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, be given biosecurity clearance pursuant to section 26 of the Biosecurity Act 1993.