Importing Equipment associated with animals or water

1 July 2009

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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.

1.3 This import health standard may be reviewed, amended or revoked if there are changes in New Zealand's import policy or the plant or animal health status of the originating country, or for any other lawful reason, at the discretion of the Import Standards Manager.

2 IMPORTER'S RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1 It is the importer’s responsibility to ensure that they are compliant with the current version of the relevant import health standard at the time of importation into New Zealand. Current versions of import health standards are available online at http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/ihs/search

2.2 The costs of MAFBNZ in performing functions relating to the importation of equipment used with animals or water shall be recovered in accordance with the Biosecurity Act and any regulations made under that Act.

2.3 All costs involved with documentation, transport, storage and obtaining a biosecurity direction and/or biosecurity clearance shall be borne 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.

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
A person who is appointed an inspector under section 103 of the Biosecurity Act (1993).

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. In such cases, a permit to import application may be made, an 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 animal 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:

i The equipment is visibly clean and visibly 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, and wool

AND

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

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, 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 must be directed to an approved treatment provider (see PART C. CLEARANCE PROCEDURE)

Note:

Used equipment associated with horses, donkeys, mules and birds or related activities include animal apparel (saddles, bridles, bits, reins, covers, harnesses), grooming accessories, 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 from any country may be given biosecurity clearance provided all of the following requirements are met:

i The equipment is visibly clean and visibly 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 marine organisms.

AND

ii All parts of the equipment are completely dry on arrival to New Zealand.

Note:

Used equipment associated with marine aquatic animals or marine water activities include aquaculture equipment, aquaria equipment, diving equipment, fishing equipment, wetsuits, canoes, kayaks, 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:

i The equipment is visibly clean and visibly 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

ii All parts of the equipment are completely dry on arrival to New Zealand.

Note:

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.

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 Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4 of this import health standard

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 Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4 of this import health standard

7.3 Before any treatment is applied, all equipment must be thoroughly cleaned and any organic contamination or biofouling is removed using soapy water, water blasting, scraping, etc.

7.4 All removed contamination or biofouling must be disposed to an approved landfill and all cleaning water collected and disposed to a municipal sewer.

7.5 Water that cannot be drained from compartments or pipes must be treated by adding household bleach to achieve a concentration of 50 mg /l, and leave for at least 1 hour.

7.6 All used aquaculture equipment must be treated as outlined in Table 3.

Table 1: Approved treatments for used equipment associated with llamas, cattle, buffalo, pigs, sheep and goats

Commodity	Approved treatment procedure
Used equipment containing absorbent material	Treating the equipment with a disinfectant approved under the standard Approved Biosecurity Treatments For Risk Goods Directed For Treatment: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/border/transitional-facilities/bnz-std-abtrt.pdf

Table 2: Approved treatments for used equipment associated with horses, donkeys, mules and birds

Commodity	Approved treatment procedure
Used equipment	EITHER Thorough cleaning of the equipment by washing with soapy water or with standard detergents or a disinfectant approved under the standard Approved Biosecurity Treatments For Risk Goods Directed For Treatment: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/border/transitional-facilities/bnz-std-abtrt.pdf
	OR Heat treating the equipment at 60 degrees Celsius for at least 10 minutes.
	OR Fumigating the equipment with formaldehyde approved under the standard Approved Biosecurity Treatments For Risk Goods Directed For Treatment: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/border/transitional-facilities/bnz-std-abtrt.pdf

Table 3: Approved treatments for equipment associated with marine aquatic animals or activities

Commodity	Approved treatment procedure
Used equipment	EITHER Soaking the equipment in water kept above 60 degrees Celsius for at least 1 minute.
	OR Soaking the equipment to a point when all absorbent areas of the item have been saturated with a solution of 5 % volume/volume concentration of dishwashing detergent, nappy cleaner antiseptic hand cleaner (chlorhexidine or chloroxylenol based), THEN treated on all surfaces with this solution for at least 1 minute
	OR Soaking the equipment for 10 minutes in, or if a hard surface wiped with, Iodine solution at 250mg per litre (Betadine ®).
	OR Soaking the equipment for 10 minutes in, or if a hard surface wiped with, Household bleach at 50mg Cl per litre.
	OR Soaking the equipment for 10 minutes in, or if a hard surface wiped with, Sodium hydroxide solution consisting of 1% hydroxide and 0.1 % Teepol ®.

Table 4: Approved treatments for used equipment associated with freshwater aquatic animals or activities

Commodity	Approved treatment procedure
Used equipment not containing absorbent material	EITHER Freezing the equipment until completely solid.
	OR Soaking the equipment in a solution of 5 % volume/volume concentration of either dishwashing detergent, nappy cleaner, antiseptic hand cleaner (chlorhexidine or chloroxylenol based) or salt (NaCl) for at least 1 minute.
	OR Soaking the equipment in a solution of 2 % volume/volume concentration of household bleach for at least 1 minute.
	OR Soaking the equipment in water kept above 45 degrees Celsius for at least 20 minutes.
	OR Soaking the equipment in water kept above 60 degrees Celsius for at least 1 minute.
Used equipment containing absorbent material (other than felt soles)	EITHER Freezing the equipment until completely solid.
	OR Soaking the equipment to a point when all absorbent areas of the item have been saturated with a solution of 5 % volume/volume concentration of dishwashing detergent, nappy cleaner antiseptic hand cleaner (chlorhexidine or chloroxylenol based) or salt (NaCl), THEN treated on all surfaces with this solution for at least 1 minute.
	OR Soaking the equipment to a point when all absorbent areas of the item have been saturated with a solution of 2 % volume/volume concentration of household bleach, THEN treated on all surfaces with this solution for at least 1 minute.
	OR Soaking the equipment to a point when all absorbent areas of the item have been saturated with water kept above 45 degrees Celsius, THEN treated on all surfaces with a soak of at least 20 minutes in water kept above 45 degrees Celsius.
	OR Soaking the equipment to a point when all absorbent areas of the item have been saturated with water at no less than 60 degrees Celsius, THEN treated on all surfaces with water kept above 60 degrees Celsius for at least 1 minute.
Used felt-soled fishing footwear (waders and boots)	EITHER Freezing the entire felt sole until completely solid.
	OR Completely immersing the entire felt sole in water kept above 45 degrees Celsius containing 5 % volume/volume concentration of dishwashing detergent or nappy cleaner for at least 30 minutes.
	OR Completely immersing the entire felt sole in water kept above 45 degrees Celsius for at least 40 minutes.

7.3 Providing that the consignment meets ALL the conditions 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.