Import Health standard for the Importation into New Zealand of UNPROCESSED pig meat or pig meat PRODUCTS FOR human consumption from the United States of America

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Issued pursuant to Section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993
Dated: 7 June 2006

USER GUIDE

The information in MAF animal product import health standards is presented in numerically ordered sections with descriptive titles. Sections are grouped into one of four parts, designated alphabetically.

Part A. GENERAL INFORMATION contains sections of general interest, including those relating to the legal basis for MAF import health standards and the general responsibilities of every importer of animals and animal products.

Part B. IMPORTATION PROCEDURE contains sections that outline the requirements to be met prior to and during importation. Whether a permit to import is required to be obtained prior to importation is noted, as are conditions of eligibility, transport and general conditions relating to documentation accompanying the consignment.

Part C. CLEARANCE PROCEDURE contains sections describing the requirements to be met at the New Zealand border and, if necessary, in a transitional facility in New Zealand prior to any consignment being given biosecurity clearance.

Part D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION contains model health certification which must be completed by the appropriate personnel as indicated in the certification and accompany the consignment to New Zealand.

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 unprocessed pig meat or pig meat products for human consumption from the United States of America.

1.2 Obtaining biosecurity clearance for each consignment of unprocessed pig meat or pig meat products for human consumption imported into New Zealand from the United States of America is dependent upon the consignment meeting the requirements of this import health standard.

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

2 IMPORTER'S RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1 The importer must obtain a permit to import prior to proceeding with importation (See PART B. IMPORTATION PROCEDURE).

2.2 Commercial consignments of products imported into New Zealand for human consumption must comply with the Food Act 1981. These requirements are independent of the import health standard requirements and are managed by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA). Importers are advised to consult the NZFSA website: www.nzfsa.govt.nz/imported-food/index.htm or contact the NZFSA.

2.3 Once the consignment has been given biosecurity clearance into New Zealand, it is the importer’s responsibility to ensure (where relevant) that the consignment complies with the Animal Products Act 1999, especially if it is returned New Zealand product, product entering operations also used for the export of animal products, or if it is to be re-exported. Information about these requirements can be obtained from the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) website at www.nzfsa.govt.nz/animalproducts/publications/omar/01-172.htm or by contacting the local NZFSA Verification Agency office. Certification and other official assurance requirements which may be applicable are accessible at www.nzfsa.govt.nz/animalproducts/publications/manualsguides/oap/index.htm

2.4 The costs to MAF in performing functions relating to the importation of pig meat or pig meat products for human consumption shall be recovered in accordance with the Biosecurity Act and any regulations made under that Act.

2.5 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

Biosecurity Clearance

As defined by the Biosecurity Act 1993.

Biosecurity Standards Group Manager

The Biosecurity Standards Group Manager, New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, or any person who for the time being may lawfully exercise and perform the power and functions of the Biosecurity Standards Group Manager.

Equivalence

Acceptance by MAF that the circumstances relating to the importation of a consignment are such that the health status of the consignment is equivalent to the health status of a consignment that complies with the requirements of the import health standard.

Inspector

As defined by the Biosecurity Act 1993.

MAF

The New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Official Veterinarian

A civil service veterinarian or a specially appointed veterinarian, as authorised by the Veterinary Administration of the country.

Permit to import

A permit issued by the Director General of MAF pursuant to section 22 1(A) of the Biosecurity Act 1993 upon an importer’s demonstration that certain requirements of the import health standard have been met in advance of an importation being made, such that a transitional facility is available to accept the consignment(s). The procedure for application and the information required for a permit to import are detailed within the import health standard.

Transitional facility

As defined by the Biosecurity Act 1993. Specifically a facility registered to the MAF Regulatory Authority Standard 154.02.18 Transitional Facilities for Animal Products.

USDA

United States Department of Agriculture

4 EQUIVALENCE

4.1 It is expected that the animal product will meet the conditions of this import health standard in every respect. If the products do not comply with the requirements, an application for equivalence may be submitted to MAF for consideration. Detailed information supporting the application for equivalence must be forwarded to MAF for a decision.

PART B. IMPORTATION PROCEDURE

5. PERMIT TO IMPORT

5.1 An application for a permit to import shall provide the following information:

(i) name and address of importer

(ii) name and address of exporter

(iii) description of the product to be imported

(iv) name and address of the TRANSITIONAL FACILITY to which the consignment is to proceed following importation.

(v) whether a permit for multiple consignments is required; in this case a permit will be issued for a period of 12 months.

6 ELIGIBILITY

6.1 The products shall be identifiable as originating from the United States of America.

6.2 The products shall be commercially packed in the original unopened packaging. Full containers of meat shall be sealed.

7 DOCUMENTATION ACCOMPANYING THE CONSIGNMENT

7.1 The consignment shall be accompanied by appropriately completed health certification which meets the requirements of PART D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION.

7.2 Documentation shall be in English, but may be bilingual (language of exporting country/English).

7.3 The veterinary certificate must be printed on paper that carries the USDA departmental seal. The signature of the official veterinarian must be in a different colour of ink to that different to that of the printing.

7.4 It is the importer’s responsibility to ensure that any documentation presented in accordance with the requirements of this import health standard is original (unless otherwise specified) and clearly legible. Failure to do so may result in delays in obtaining biosecurity direction and/or clearance or rejection of the consignment.

PART C. CLEARANCE PROCEDURE

8 BIOSECURITY DIRECTION

8.1 A biosecurity direction may be given by an Inspector under section 25 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 authorising the consignment to move to the transitional facility named in the permit to import, providing that the documentation meets all requirements noted under PART D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION and the inspector considers the consignment meets the conditions of ELIGIBILITY.

9 TRANSITIONAL FACILITY

9.1 While in the transitional facility the consignment will be subjected to such testing, treatments or procedures required by the Biosecurity Standards Group Manager.

9.2 The pig meat must be processed using the following treatments:

EITHER i) heat treatment to one of the following minimum core temperatures for the corresponding period of time:
 

• 56°C for 60 minutes, OR
• 57°C for 55 minutes, OR
• 58ºC for 50 minutes, OR
• 59ºC for 45 minutes, OR
• 60ºC for 40 minutes, OR
• 61ºC for 35 minutes, OR
• 62°C for 30 minutes, OR
• 63°C for 25 minutes, OR
• 64ºC for 22 minutes, OR
• 65ºC for 20 minutes, OR
• 66ºC for 17 minutes, OR
• 67ºC for 15 minutes, OR
• 68°C for 13 minutes, OR
• 69°C for 12 minutes, OR
• 70ºC for 11 minutes.

OR ii) heat treatment by microwave to a minimum core temperature of 88ºC for a minimum of 60 seconds;

OR iii) processed so that the pH of the pig meat is:

- pH 5 or below, OR

- pH 7 or above.

9.3 All trimmings and solid waste removed from the pig meat or pig meat products during processing shall be collected and disposed of one of the following methods:

EITHER i) incineration;

OR ii) deep burial;

OR iii) rendering where the raw material is subject to metal detection, size reduction, liquid/solid separation by heating to 94^oC and pH control of 4.5 before being sent to sterilisation. The solids are sterilised at a minimum of 1 hr at 115^oC before being crushed, screened and bagged. The liquid phase must be sent for further processing to produce inedible tallow, with waste going to fat traps and into the municipal waste disposal system.

9.4 The packaging shall be destroyed by incineration.

10 BIOSECURITY CLEARANCE

10.1 On successful completion of the terms detailed under TRANSITIONAL FACILITY the consignment may, subject to sections 27 and 28 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, be given a biosecurity clearance pursuant to section 26 of the Biosecurity Act 1993.

10.2 If the consignment is to be sent to a New Zealand premises licensed under the Meat Act 1981 or operating a risk management programme under the Animal Products Act 1999, the Inspector shall forward a copy of the certification to the Technical Supervisor, MAF Verification Agency at the destination premises. The Inspector shall also notify the Technical Supervisor by e-mail of the imminent arrival of the consignment.

PART D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION

11 NEGOTIATED EXPORT CERTIFICATION

11.1 The following documents are recognised by MAF as equivalent to the requirements of PART D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION, and are approved to accompany imports of unprocessed pig meat or pig meat products for human consumption into New Zealand from the United States of America when appropriately completed by a representative of the exporting country's competent authority:

12 MODEL ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION

COMMODITY: UNPROCESSED PIG MEAT OR PIG MEAT PRODUCTS FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

CERTIFYING AUTHORITY:

Agency:

Department:

Country:

I. ORIGIN OF THE CONSIGNMENT

(i) Name/s and address/es of processing premises:

(ii) Processing premises registration number:

II. CONSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION

(i) The commodity contained in this consignment is (describe form and packaging):

(ii) Amount (in kgs) of the consignment:

III. DESTINATION OF THE CONSIGNMENT

(i) Name and address of New Zealand importer:

IV. ZOOSANITARY INFORMATION

MANUFACTURER’S DECLARATION

I, being the manager of the factory where the pig meat or pig meat products identified in this Zoosanitary Certificate have been manufactured, certify that:

1. The pig meat or pig meat products are derived entirely from pigs that were:

1.1 resident in the United States of America, OR

1.2 resident in Canada and exported to the United States of America for slaughter, OR

1.3 resident and slaughtered in Canada and exported to the United States of America for further processing*.

(Delete as appropriate)

(NB: *In this instance, a certificate must be provided by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency certifying that the pig meat or pig meat products described on this certificate have been produced in premises listed for the United States of America and are eligible for export to the United States of America and New Zealand.)

Signature of Manufacturer:

Date:

VETERINARY CERTIFICATE

I, being a Government Veterinary Officer of the United States of America or a veterinarian accredited to provide export certification on behalf of the Government Veterinary Service of the United States of America, certify with respect to the unprocessed pig meat or pig meat products identified in this Zoosanitary Certificate that:

1. African swine fever, foot and mouth disease, hog cholera (classical swine fever), rinderpest and swine vesicular disease have not occurred in the United States of America during the previous 12 months.

2. The products were derived from animals that passed veterinary ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection at the time of slaughter.

3. The products originate from a Government licensed slaughtering establishment that slaughters animals for human consumption and operates under Government Veterinary Supervision.

4. The products are sound and fit for human consumption.

5. After examination of all records and documentation on which the Manufacturer’s Declaration is based, and subsequent enquiry, I have no reason to doubt the veracity of the Manufacturer’s Declaration.

Signature of Official Veterinarian:

Name and address of veterinarian:

Date: