Importing Sawdust, Wood Chips, Wood Shavings, and Wood Wool from All Countries
17 April 2003
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Pursuant to Section 22 of the Biosecurity Act (1993)
ISSUED: 16 April 2003
Table of Contents
1 Official Contact Point
2 General Import Requirements
3 Specific Import Requirements for Sawdust, Wood Chips, Wood Shavings, and Wood Wool
4 Requirements on Arrival in New Zealand
Appendix 1(a): List of Regulated Pests Potentially Associated with Sawdust, Wood Chips, Wood Shavings, and/or Wood Wool
Appendix 1(b): List of Non-Regulated Pests Potentially Associated with Sawdust, Wood Chips, Wood Shavings, and/or Wood Wool
1 Official Contact Point
1.1 The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is the official contact point in New Zealand for overseas National Plant Protection Organisations (NPPO) and importers. Any enquiries about this import health standard and requests for copies of this standard should be addressed to:
Director, Forest Biosecurity
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington, NEW ZEALAND
Fax: 64 4 470 2741
E-mail: plantimports@maf.govt.nz
http://www.maf.govt.nz 
1.2 Import health standards for forest produce and other related documents are available at the following web site address: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/imports/forests/
2 General Import Requirements
2.1 Scope
This import health standard describes the phytosanitary requirements that must be met for sawdust, wood chips, wood shavings, and wood wool to be given biosecurity clearance into New Zealand.
2.2 References
2.2.1 This import health standard has been developed under the requirements of the Biosecurity Act (1993) and in regard to New Zealand’s obligations under the International Plant Protection Convention (1997).
Compliance with the provisions of this import health standard does not absolve the importer of the need to comply with other laws relating to or prohibiting the importation of goods (e.g. Trade in Endangered Species Act 1989, Customs and Excise Act 1996).
2.2.2 This import health standard refers to the following documents:
- International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures, Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms, Pub. No. 5, 2001. http://www.ippc.int/IPP/En/default.htm
- International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures, Guidelines for phytosanitary certificates, Pub. No. 12, 2001. http://www.ippc.int/IPP/En/default.htm
2.3 Definitions and Abbreviations
2.3.1 Any terms defined in the Biosecurity Act (1993) or by the International Plant Protection Convention (1997) and used in but not otherwise defined in this import health standard have the same meaning as in the Act, or as in ISPM Pub. No. 5, 2001.
Bark
The outer protective covering of a tree formed by the cork cambium and phloem tissues.
Biosecurity Clearance
A clearance under section 22 of the Biosecurity Act (1993) for the entry of goods into New Zealand.
Certificate
An official document which attests to the phytosanitary status of any consignment affected by phytosanitary regulations [FAO, 1990].
Commodity
A type of plant, plant product or other regulated article being moved for trade or other purpose [ICPM, 2001]
Consignment
A quantity of plants, plant products and/or other articles being moved from one country to another and covered, when required, by a single phytosanitary certificate (a consignment may be composed of one or more commodities or lots). [ICPM, 2001]
Contamination
Presence in a commodity, storage place, conveyance or container, of pests or other regulated articles, not constituting an infestation [CEPM, 1999].
Forest
Produce for the purposes of this standard means timber, timber produce, wood packaging material, and the produce of trees including bark, and seeds or tree parts for propagation, but does not include any produce for human or animal consumption.
Import Health Standard
Document issued under section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 that "….. specifies the requirements to be met for the effective management of risks associated with the importation of risk goods before those goods can be imported, moved from a biosecurity control area, or a transitional facility, or given biosecurity clearance".
Import Permit
Official document authorising importation of a commodity in accordance with specified phytosanitary requirements [FAO, 1995].
Importer
May be an individual or company, including importer’s agent.
Inspection
Official visual examination of plants, plant products or other regulated articles to determine if pests are present and/or to determine compliance with phytosanitary regulations [FAO, 1995].
International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM)
An international standard adopted by the Conference of FAO, the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures or the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures, established under the IPPC [CEPM, 1999].
IPPC
International Plant Protection Convention, as deposited in 1951 with FAO in Rome and subsequently amended [ICPM, 2001].
Lot
A number of units of a single commodity, identifiable by its homogeneity of composition, origin etc., forming part of a consignment [FAO, 1990].
MAF
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, New Zealand.
National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO)
Official service established by a government to discharge the functions specified by the IPPC [FAO, 1990].
Organism
Biotic entity capable of reproduction or replication, vertebrate or invertebrate animals, plants and micro-organisms [ISPM Pub. No. 3, 1996]
Within New Zealand, an organism, defined by the New Zealand Biosecurity Act (1993);
- Does not include a human being or a genetic structure derived from a human being
- Includes a micro-organism;
- Subject to paragraph (a) of this definition, includes a genetic structure that is capable of replicating itself (whether that structure comprises all or only part of an entity, and whether it comprises all or only part of the total genetic structure of an entity):
- Includes an entity (other than a human being) declared by the Governor-General by Order in Council to be an organism for the purposes of this Act:
- Includes a reproductive cell or developmental stage of an organism:
- Includes any particle that is a prion.
Pest
Any species, strain or biotype of plant, animal or pathogenic agent, injurious to plants or animals (or their products) or human health or the environment.
Phytosanitary Measure
Any legislation, regulation or official procedure having the purpose to prevent the introduction and/or spread of quarantine pests, or to limit the economic impact of regulated non-quarantine pests [IPPC, 1997].
Quarantine Pest
A pest of potential economic importance to the area endangered thereby and not yet present there, or present but not widely distributed and being officially controlled [IPPC, 1997].
Regulated Pest
A quarantine pest or a regulated non-quarantine pest [IPPC, 1997].
Sawn Wood
Wood sawn longitudinally, with or without its natural rounded surface with or without bark [FAO, 1990].
Treatment
Officially authorised procedure for the killing or removal of pests or rendering pests infertile [ICPM Pub. No. 15, 2002]
Wood
A commodity class for round wood, sawn wood, wood chips or dunnage, with or without bark [ICPM, 2001].
2.4 General Information
2.4.1 All forest produce is PROHIBITED entry into New Zealand, unless it complies with the requirements of an import health standard that has been issued in accordance with Section 22 of the Biosecurity Act (1993).
2.4.2 As specified in the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (1996), proposals for the deliberate introduction of new organisms (including genetically modified organisms) as defined by the Act should be referred to the Environment Risk Management Authority, PO Box 131, Wellington.
2.4.3 MAF categorises pests associated with forest produce into regulated and non-regulated pests. Lists of regulated and non-regulated pests for the commodities covered by this standard are attached as appendices to this import health standard.
2.4.4 When an unlisted pest is found on any imported forest produce it will be categorised and added to the appropriate pest list.
3 Specific Import Requirements for Sawdust, Wood Chips, Wood Shavings, and Wood Wool
3.1 General Requirements
3.1.1 Sawdust, wood chips, wood shavings, and wood wool includes wood that has been sawn, chipped, shaved or peeled to form wood pieces that are either no larger than 15 mm in length and 10 mm in cross-section, or no greater than 3 mm in cross-section if longer than 15 mm. Wood pieces larger than specified must be imported into New Zealand under the requirements of the import health standard for sawn wood.
3.1.2 Sawdust, wood chips, wood shavings, or wood wool that is considered by MAF to be principally made up of bark, must be imported into New Zealand under requirements of the import health standard for bark.
3.1.3 A consignment of sawdust, wood chips, wood shavings, or wood wool must be:
- free of regulated pests (see Appendix 1 (a));
- no greater in volume than 40 cubic metres;
- shipped in lots of no more than 2 cubic metres in volume and packaged in clear plastic wrapping (if shipped in bulk);
- packed and shipped in a manner that prevents infestation and/or contamination by regulated pests. MAF considers the following as examples of appropriate packaging: plastic wrapping, 6 sided boxing, a closed shipping container;
- relatively free of extraneous material (e.g. leaves, soil). MAF considers a contamination rate of 0.01% w/w extraneous material is considered acceptable.
3.2 Treatment Requirements
3.2.1 Any treatment completed prior to import must comply with the requirements of this import health standard, or an equivalent treatment(s) approved by MAF.
3.2.2 If sawdust, wood chips, wood shavings, or wood wool are treated prior to export, the sawdust, wood chips, wood shavings, or wood wool must be treated no more than twenty-one (21) days before export to New Zealand.
3.3 Treatment Options
MAF accepts one or more of the following treatment options for sawdust, wood chips, wood shavings, and wood wool.
3.3.1 Fumigation, in separate units no larger than 2 m3, with methyl bromide or sulphuryl fluoride at 80 g/m3 for more than 24 continuous hours, and at a minimum temperature of 10°C.
3.3.2 Heat treatment for more than 4 hours at a minimum continuous core temperature of 70°C.
3.4 Certification Requirements
3.4.1 An import permit is required ONLY for commercial consignments of sawdust or wood chips.
3.4.2 For the purpose of providing certification of the treatment status of consignments to be imported into New Zealand, the importer may use a:
- phytosanitary certificate issued by the NPPO and based on the model certificate included in ISPM 12;
- phytosanitary certificate issued by the NPPO other than the certificate specified in (a) to which the following is to be included;
"The sawdust, wood chips, wood shavings, or wood wool in this consignment have been inspected according to appropriate official procedures and are considered to be free from the regulated pests specified by MAF, and to conform with New Zealand’s current phytosanitary requirements". - treatment certificate issued by the manufacturer or operator/manager of the treatment company.
3.4.3 All certification must be original, free of alterations and erasures, and printed in English.
3.5 Certificate Information
3.5.1 If used, a certificate must contain the following information:
- A full description of the consignment and wood component
- All relevant identification marks and brands
- The number and/or volume of items treated
- The container number (where applicable)
- The following additional declarations (where applicable)
3.5.2 Certificates for consignments that have been fumigated may contain the following declaration:
"The sawdust, wood chips, wood shavings, and wood wool have been fumigated, in units no larger than 2 m3, with ____ (methyl bromide or sulphuryl fluoride) _____ at _____ (Fumigant concentration (g/m3)) ____ for __ (Duration of treatment) __ at a minimum temperature of __ (Minimum temperature during treatment) __ on the __ (Date of treatment (dd/mm/yy) __."
3.5.3 Certificates for heat-treated consignments that have been heat-treated may contain the following declaration:
"The sawdust, wood chips, wood shavings, and wood wool have been heated for __ (Duration of treatment) __ at a minimum core temperature of __ (Minimum core temperature during treatment) __ on the __ (Date of treatment (dd/mm/yy) __."
3.6 Transit Requirements
3.6.1 Where a consignment is split or has its packaging changed while in another country (or countries) en route to New Zealand, a "Re-export Certificate" issued by a NPPO is required where the treatment of the sawdust, wood chips, wood shavings, or wood wool has been certified.
3.6.2 Where a consignment is held under bond as a result of the need to change conveyances and is kept in the original shipping container, a "Re-export Certificate" is not required.
4 Requirements on Arrival in New Zealand
The importer shall meet all costs specified in the Biosecurity (Costs) Regulations (2003) associated with the inspection, treatment (if required) and clearance of goods imported under this standard.
4.1 Insepction on Arrival in New Zealand
4.1.1 New Zealand MAF will check the accompanying documentation on arrival to confirm that it reconciles with the actual consignment.
4.1.2 If original and appropriate certification is NOT provided the sawdust, wood chips, wood shavings, or wood wool will be considered untreated.
4.1.3 If the sawdust, wood chips, wood shavings, or wood wool are NOT packaged in a manner considered by MAF to adequately protect the sawdust, wood chips, wood shavings, or wood wool from re-infestation after treatment, the sawdust, wood chips, wood shavings, or wood wool will be considered untreated.
4.1.4 If the sawdust, wood chips, wood shavings, or wood wool was NOT shipped within the required time period after treatment, the sawdust, wood chips, wood shavings, or wood wool will be considered untreated.
4.1.5 Each commercial (bulk) consignment of:
- manufactured product containing wood wool may be inspected by MAF for evidence of phytosanitary risk.
- untreated sawdust, wood chips, wood shavings, or wood wool will be treated (as per the treatment specifications stated in section 3.3), reshipped, or destroyed.
- treated sawdust, wood chips, wood shavings, or wood wool have will have an 8 kg random sample (or whole consignment, whichever is the lesser) inspected for evidence of pests or extraneous organic material to verify that the treatment was effective.
4.1.6 Each accompanied, packaging or private consignment of sawdust, wood chips, wood shavings, and wood wool will be inspected by MAF for evidence of pests or extraneous organic material.
4.1.7 All inspections completed on arrival in New Zealand shall be carried out in a transitional facility approved by MAF for that purpose.
4.2 Actions Undertaken on the Interception/Detection of Organisms / Contaminants
4.2.1 All organisms detected on the sawdust, wood chips, wood shavings, or wood wool shall be identified to determine the regulatory status of the organism regardless of the treatment(s) or action(s) undertaken.
4.2.2 If regulated pests are intercepted/detected on the commodity, or associated packaging, the following actions will be undertaken as appropriate (depending on the pest identified, see Appendix 1(a)):
- Reshipment of the consignment or lot;
- Destruction of the consignment or lot;
- Treatment (where possible) of the consignment or lot at the discretion of the Director, Forest Biosecurity;
- The suspension of trade, until the cause of the non-compliance is investigated, identified and rectified to the satisfaction of New Zealand MAF.
4.2.3 Lots contaminated with bark or greater than 0.01% w/w soil or other extraneous organic material (e.g. leaves, twigs) shall have the contaminating material removed (if possible), or be treated, re-shipped or destroyed.
4.2.4 All treatments completed on arrival in New Zealand shall be carried out in a transitional facility approved by MAF for that purpose. Goods treated under MAF supervision do not require further inspection under this standard.
4.3 Biosecurity Clearance
4.3.1 If the requirements of this import health standard have been met, and regulated pests are not detected or are successfully treated following interception/detection, biosecurity clearance will be given.
Appendix 1 (a) List of Regulated Pests Potentially Associated with Sawdust, Wood Chips, Wood Shavings, and/or Wood Wool
| Scientific Name | Organism Type | Common Name | MAF Approved Phytosanitary Treatment Options (see Note) | Contingency for interception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro-organisms | ||||
| Atropellis tingens | Fungus | Canker | Heat | Treatment, Reshipping or Destruction |
| Caliciopsis pinea | Fungus | Canker | Heat | Treatment, Reshipping or Destruction |
| Calonectria ilicicola (anamorph Cylindrocladium crotalariae) | Fungus | Collar rot | Heat | Treatment, Reshipping or Destruction |
| Calonectria indusiata (anamorph Cylindrocladium theae) | Fungus | Root & stem rot | Heat | Treatment, Reshipping or Destruction |
| Cronartium quercuum (anamorph Peridermium cerebrum) | Fungus | Pine blister rust | Heat | Treatment, Reshipping or Destruction |
| Cronartium quercuum f.sp. fusiforme | Fungus | Stem rust | Heat | Treatment, Reshipping or Destruction |
| Cryphonectria cubensis | Fungus | Basal / stem canker | Heat | Treatment, Reshipping or Destruction |
| Cryphonectria havanensis | Fungus | Stem canker | Heat | Treatment, Reshipping or Destruction |
| Dermea pini | Fungus | Shoot blight | Heat | Treatment, Reshipping or Destruction |
| Elytroderma deformans | Fungus | Needle blight | Heat | Treatment, Reshipping or Destruction |
| Endocronartium pini | Fungus | Stem rust | Heat | Treatment, Reshipping or Destruction |
| Gloeophyllum abietinum | Fungus | Heat | Treatment, Reshipping or Destruction | |
| Graphium sp. | Fungus | Blue stain, wilt | Heat | Treatment, Reshipping or Destruction |
| Heterobasidion annosum (anamorph Spiniger meineckellum) | Fungus | Root rot | Heat | Treatment, Reshipping or Destruction |
| Ischnoderma resinosum | Fungus | Heat | Treatment, Reshipping or Destruction | |
| Mucor spinosus | Fungus | Heat | Treatment, Reshipping or Destruction | |
| Ophiostoma leptographioides | Fungus | Heat | Treatment, Reshipping or Destruction | |
| Ophiostoma sp. | Fungus | Blue stain, wilt | Heat | Treatment, Reshipping or Destruction |
| Phacidium coniferarum | Fungus | Pine canker, dieback | Heat | Treatment, Reshipping or Destruction |
| Phellinus noxius | Fungus | Wood rot | Heat | Treatment, Reshipping or Destruction |
| Sparassis crispa | Fungus | Root and butt rot | Heat | Treatment, Reshipping or Destruction |
| Trametes trogii | Fungus | Wound parasite | Heat | Treatment, Reshipping or Destruction |
| Trichaptum abietinus | Fungus | Butt rot | Heat | Treatment, Reshipping or Destruction |
| Arthropods | ||||
| Agrilus sexsignatus | Buprestidae | Varicose borer | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Anoplolepis gracilipes | Formicidae | Yellow crazy ant | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Anoplophora glabripennis | Cerambycidae | Asian longhorned beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Anoplophora spp. | Cerambycidae | Longhorned beetles | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Celosterna scabator | Cerambycidae | Longhorn beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Ceresium declaratum | Cerambycidae | Longhorn beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Ceresium flavipes | Cerambycidae | Longhorn beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Ceresium holophaeum | Cerambycidae | Longhorn beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Ceresium longicorne | Cerambycidae | Longhorn beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Ceresium nilgiriensis | Cerambycidae | Longhorn beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Ceresium sinicum | Cerambycidae | Brown twig-girgling longhorn | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Ceresium sinicum ornaticolle | Cerambycidae | Longhorn beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Ceresium sinicum sinicum | Cerambycidae | Longhorn beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Coptotermes curvignathus | Rhinotermitidae | Subterranean termite | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Coptotermes formosanus | Rhinotermitidae | Formosan subterranean termite | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Cryphalus sp. | Scolytidae | Bark beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Cryptotermes brevis | Kalotermitidae | West Indian drywood termite | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Dryocoetes sp. | Scolytidae | Bark beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Hesperophanes campestris | Cerambycidae | Longhorn beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Hesperophanes fasciculatus | Cerambycidae | Longhorn beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Hesperophanes griseus | Cerambycidae | Longhorn beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Hesperophanes heydeni | Cerambycidae | Longhorn beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Hesperophanes maculatus | Cerambycidae | Longhorn beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Hesperophanes spp. | Cerambycidae | Longhorn beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Incisitermes spp. | Kalotermitidae | Drywood termites | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Ips erosus | Scolytidae | Mediterranean pine engraver | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Monochamus alternatus | Cerambycidae | Rusty pine longhorn | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Monochamus bimaculatus | Cerambycidae | Sawyer beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Monochamus gravidus | Cerambycidae | Sawyer beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Monochamus guerryi | Cerambycidae | Sawyer beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Monochamus guttatus | Cerambycidae | Sawyer beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Monochamus impluviatus | Cerambycidae | Sawyer beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Monochamus saltuarius | Cerambycidae | Sawyer beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Monochamus sparsutus | Cerambycidae | Sawyer beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Monochamus sutor | Cerambycidae | Small white-marmorated longicorn | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Monochamus urusovi | Cerambycidae | Sawyer beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Orthotomicus sp. | Scolytidae | Bark beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Paratrechina longicornis | Formicidae | Crazy ant | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Purpuricenus sp. (spectabilis) | Cerambycidae | Longhorn beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Reticulitermes spp. | Rhinotermitidae | Subterranean termites | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Scolytus spp. | Scolytidae | Engraver beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Shirahoshizo sp. | Cucurlionidae | Pine weevil | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
| Xylosandrus crassiusculus | Scolytidae | Asian ambrosia beetle | Fumigation, Heat | Treatment, Reshipment or Destruction |
Appendix 1 (b) List of Non-Regulated Pests Potentially Associated with Sawdust, Wood Chips, Wood Shavings, and/or Wood Wool
| Scientific Name | Organism Type | Common Name | MAF Approved Phytosanitary Treatment Options (see Note) | Contingency for interception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro-organisms | ||||
| Epicoccum nigrum | Fungus | Sooty mould, leaf spot | None Required | None |
| Fusarium oxysporum | Fungus | Root rot | None Required | None |
| Lasiodiplodia theobromae | Fungus | Java black rot | None Required | None |
| Nectria haematococca (anamorph Fusarium solani) | Fungus | Root rot | None Required | None |
| Nigrospora sphaerica | Fungus | Nigrospora rot | None Required | None |
| Phanerochaete gigantea | Fungus | White rot | None Required | None |
| Polyporus arcularius | Fungus | None Required | None | |
| Schizophyllum commune | Fungus | None Required | None | |
| Trametes hirsuta | Fungus | None Required | None | |
| Trichoderma viride | Fungus | Green mould | None Required | None |