Importing Fresh Fruit/Vegetables - Coconut (Cocos nucifera) from Tuvalu

22 September 2009

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1 Official contact point (New Zealand National Plant Protection Organisation)
2 General conditions for the importation of all plants and plant products
3 Explanation of pest categories
4 Application of measures
5 General conditions for fresh fruit/vegetables for consumption
6 Specific conditions for coconut (Commodity Sub-Class: Fresh Fruit/Vegetables) from Tuvalu
7 Contingencies following biosecurity clearance
Appendix 1: Categorised pest list

Endorsement

Import health standards for plants and plant products imported into New Zealand are a requirement under the Biosecurity Act 1993 and are prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) Biosecurity New Zealand.

This standard was endorsed by the Deputy Chief Technical Officer, Border Standards, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, on 18 September 2009.

Review and amendment

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand import health standards are subject to periodic review and amendment.

New Zealand import health standards are updated and republished as necessary with the most recent version published on the MAF Biosecurity New Zealand web site: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/regs/imports/plants/fruit-veg

Distribution

Import health standards are made available for public access on the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry web site: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/regs/imports/plants/fruit-veg

INTRODUCTION

SCOPE

This import health standard describes the requirements to be met to enable biosecurity clearance to be given for mature husked coconut (Cocos nucifera) imported into New Zealand from Tuvalu for human consumption. NOTE - This does not apply to fresh green coconut and coconut apple.

REFERENCES

Biosecurity Act 1993

Requirements for the establishment of pest free areas 1996. ISPM Publication No. 4, FAO, Rome.

Glossary of phytosanitary terms 2002. ISPM Publication No. 5, FAO, Rome.

Risk analysis for quarantine pests including analysis of environmental risks 2003. ISPM Publication No. 11 (Rev. 1), FAO, Rome.

New Revised Text of the International Plant Protection Convention, November 1997. FAO, Rome.

MAF Plants Biosecurity Pest Risk Assessment Standard (26 September 2001).

MAF Plants Biosecurity Standard 152.02: Importation and Clearance of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables into New Zealand (July 2008).

Risk Analysis for importation of coconut from Tuvalu, November 2008. MAF Biosecurity New Zealand

DEFINITIONS ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

Bilateral Quarantine Arrangement	An inter-agency technical arrangement between the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the counterpart National Plant Protection Organisation which documents New Zealand’s requirements for the control of fruit fly species of economic significance (i.e. those fruit fly species categorised as pests) that are associated with fruit fly host material imported into New Zealand.
Biosecurity clearance	A clearance under section 26 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 [ISPM 5].
Commodity	A type of plant, plant product, or other article being moved for trade or other purpose [ISPM 5].
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) [ISPM 5].
Contaminating pest	A pest that is carried by a commodity and, in the case of plants and plant products, does not infest those plants or plant products [ISPM 5]   (Note: Has also been known as a Hitch-hiker pest).
High impact pest	High impact pests are regulated pests that if introduced into New Zealand would have a major effect on the production (including access to overseas markets) of plants and plant products and/or the environment.
Import health standard	A 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 a biosecurity clearance”.
Infestation of a consignment	Presence in a commodity of a living pest of the plant or plant product concerned. Infestation includes infection [ISPM 5].
Inspection	Official visual examination of plants, plant products or other regulated articles to determine if pests are present and/or to confirm compliance with phytosanitary regulations [ISPM 5].
International Plant Protection Convention	International Plant Protection Convention, as deposited with FAO in Rome in 1951 and as subsequently amended [ISPM 5].
IPPC	Abbreviation for the International Plant Protection Convention.
ISPM	Abbreviation for International Standard on Phytosanitary Measures.
Lot	The number of units of a single commodity identifiable by its homogeneity of composition, origin, etc., forming part of a consignment. [FAO, 1990].
MAF	Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.   Acronym for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry which is the New Zealand national plant protection organisation.
MAF BNZ	Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity New Zealand
National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO)	Official service established by Government to discharge the functions specified by the IPPC[ISPM 5]
Official	Established, authorized or performed by a National Plant Protection Organization [ISPM 5].
Pest	Any species, strain or biotype of plant, animal or pathogenic agent injurious to plants or plant products [ISPM 5]   Note: For the purpose of this standard “pest” includes an organism sometimes associated with the pathway, which poses a risk to human or animal or plant life or health (SPS Article 2).
Phytosanitary certificate	A certificate patterned after the model certificates of the IPPC [ISPM 5].
Phytosanitary certification	Use of phytosanitary procedures leading to the issue of a phytosanitary certificate [ISPM 5].
Phytosanitary measure	Any legislation, regulation or official procedure having the purpose to prevent the introduction and/or spread of pests, or to limit the economic impact of regulated non-quarantine pests [ISPM 5]
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 (is) being officially controlled [ISPM 5].
Regulated pest	A quarantine pest or a regulated non-quarantine pest [ISPM 5]   A pest of potential economic importance to New Zealand and not yet present there, or present but either not widely distributed and being officially controlled, or a regulated non-quarantine pest, or having the potential to vector another regulated pest into New Zealand.
Treatment	Official procedure for the killing, inactivation or removal of pests or for rendering pests infertile or for devitalisation [ISPM 5].
Viable	Capable of maintaining life, or able to live in a particular environment and able to procreate.

OUTLINE OF REQUIREMENTS

This import health standard outlines the requirements that must be met prior to shipment, in-transit and on arrival in New Zealand for mature husked coconut imported from Tuvalu for human consumption.

This standard is replicated at the following Internet address:

http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/regs/imports/plants/fruit-veg

Generic requirements for the importation of all fresh fruit and vegetables into New Zealand are described in MAF Biosecurity New Zealand Standard 152.02: Importation and Clearance of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables into New Zealand.

NEW ZEALAND LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS AND INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS

New Zealand import health standards are based upon risk analyses, which may assess either a commodity or a pest/pathway combination. New Zealand’s legislative requirements and international obligations are taken into account when conducting risk analyses and applying the findings in the development of import health standards. The principal document for all New Zealand import health standards relating to plants and plant products is the Biosecurity Act (1993), whilst the international obligations derive principally from the guidelines on risk analysis developed under the auspices of the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures operating within the framework of the International Plant Protection Convention, and the World Trade Organisation Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.

IMPORT HEALTH STANDARD: FRESH FRUIT/VEGETABLES – MATURE COCONUT (Cocos nucifera) FROM TUVALU.

1 Official contact point (New Zealand National Plant Protection Organisation)

The official contact point in New Zealand for overseas NPPOs is MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAF BNZ). All communication pertaining to this import health standard should be addressed to:

Manager, Plant Imports and Exports Group
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND

Fax: 64-4-894 0662
E-mail: PlantImports@maf.govt.nz
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz

2 General conditions for the importation of all plants and plant products

Plants and plant products cannot enter New Zealand, unless an import health standard (IHS) has been issued in accordance with Section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993. Plants or plant products intercepted by MAF without an IHS will be seized and the importer will be offered the option of reshipment or destruction of the consignment (at their expense).

The National Plant Protection Organisation of the exporting country is required to inform MAF Biosecurity New Zealand of any newly recorded organisms which may infest/infect any commodity approved for export to New Zealand.

3 Explanation of pest categories

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand categorises pests associated with plants and plant products into regulated and non-regulated pests. Measures to prevent the establishment of regulated pests in New Zealand are developed in accordance with the appropriate FAO ISPMs and other relevant international standards.

Regulated pests are those pests for which actions would be undertaken if they were intercepted/detected. As well as quarantine pests, these include new organisms as defined by the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, pests that may pose a risk to human or animal health or to the environment, vectors of associated quarantine pests, and virulent strains (not present in New Zealand) of non-regulated pests and contaminants. Non-regulated pests are those pests for which actions would not be undertaken if they were intercepted/detected.

Pests (including weeds) associated with each commodity will appear on a separate pest list which will be attached to each import health standard as an Appendix.

4 Application of measures

A number of different measures may be applied to pests based on the outcome of pest risk analyses. Required measures may include:

• Surveillance for pest freedom
• Testing prior to export for regulated pests which cannot be readily detected by inspection (e.g. viruses on propagable material)
• Specific pre-shipment pest control activities to be undertaken by the supply country’s contracting party
• The application of a pre-shipment treatment
• Inspection of the export consignment
• Issuance of a phytosanitary certificate which attests to the phytosanitary status of a consignment
• Treatment on arrival in New Zealand

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand will inspect all consignments of fresh fruit/vegetables and their associated packaging to verify that New Zealand’s phytosanitary requirements have been met. All consignments shall be practically free of soil and other extraneous matter.

Where it has been determined through pest risk assessment that high impact pests are associated with a particular commodity more specific phytosanitary measures must be met. In most circumstances these phytosanitary measures will need to be met prior to arrival of the commodity in New Zealand.

5 General conditions for fresh fruit/vegetables for consumption

Only clean, inert/synthetic material may be used for the protection, packaging and shipping of fresh fruit/vegetables.

Consignments contaminated with soil, or other potential carriers of regulated pests (eg. leaf litter) will not be permitted entry if the level of contamination is above the acceptance level (see section 7.4 in the MAF standard Importation and clearance of fresh fruit and vegetables into New Zealand http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/ihs/152-02.pdf).

A completed phytosanitary certificate issued by the exporting country’s NPPO must accompany all consignments of fresh fruit and vegetables exported to New Zealand.

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand will inspect all consignments of fresh fruit and vegetables to verify that New Zealand’s phytosanitary requirements have been met.

6 Specific conditions for mature coconut (Commodity Sub-Class: Fresh Fruit/Vegetables) from Tuvalu.

6.1 PRE-SHIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

6.1.1 Inspection of the consignment

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand requires that the Tuvalu NPPO sample and visually inspect the consignment according to official procedures for all the regulated pests specified by MAF Biosecurity New Zealand and ensure that it conforms with New Zealand’s current import requirements. A phytosanitary certificate should not be issued if live regulated pest(s) are detected, unless the consignment is treated in order to eliminate these. If pests are found which are not listed in the import health standard, the Tuvalu NPPO must establish their regulatory status. This information is available in MAF Biosecurity New Zealand’s “Biosecurity Organisms Register for Imported Commodities” http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/pests/registers/boric.

If a pest is not listed in this register, the Tuvalu NPPO must contact MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (see Section 1) to establish the regulatory status of the pest.

6.1.2 Testing of the consignment

Testing of the consignment prior to export to New Zealand for regulated pests which are not visually detectable (viz. fungi and bacteria) is not generally required for fresh coconut from Tuvalu.

6.1.3 Phytosanitary measures for high impact pests

The strength of phytosanitary measures will generally be greater for high impact pests than for other regulated pests, reflecting the greater risks associated with these pests. In most circumstances phytosanitary measures for high impact pests will need to be met prior to arrival of the commodity in New Zealand, and phytosanitary certification will need to attest to this accordingly.

6.1.4 Documentation

Phytosanitary certificate: Required.

Import permit/Authorisation to import: Exempt under Gazette Notice: No. AG12, 13 July 1995.

6.1.5 Phytosanitary certification

A completed phytosanitary certificate issued by the Tuvalu NPPO must accompany all coconut consignments exported to New Zealand.

Before a phytosanitary certificate is issued, the Tuvalu NPPO must be satisfied that the following activities required by MAF Biosecurity New Zealand have been undertaken.

The coconuts have:

(i) been visually inspected in accordance with appropriate official procedures and found to be free from any regulated pests

AND

(ii) undergone appropriate pest control activities that are effective against the following high impact pests;

Chrysomphalus aonidu

Chrysomphalus dictyospermi

Wasmannia auropunctata

6.1.6 Additional declarations to the phytosanitary certificate

If satisfied that the pre-shipment activities have been undertaken, the Tuvalu NPPO must confirm this by providing the following additional declarations to the phytosanitary certificate:

(i) This is to certify that the coconuts described herein have been inspected according to appropriate official procedures and are considered to be free from the quarantine pests specified by MAF BNZ and to conform to the current phytosanitary requirements of MAF BNZ, including those for regulated non-quarantine pests.

NOTE: This additional declaration is not required if the phytosanitary certificate issued by the Tuvalu NPPO is in accordance with the model phytosanitary certificate annexed to the revised (1997) text of the FAO IPPC.

AND

(ii) The coconuts in this consignment have undergone appropriate pest control activities that are effective against the following high impact pests;

Chrysomphalus aonidu,

Chrysomphalus dictyospermi

Wasmannia auropunctata

6.2 TRANSIT REQUIREMENTS

The coconuts must be packed and shipped in a manner to prevent possible post-inspection/treatment infestation and/or contamination by regulated pests. 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" is required. 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.

6.3 INSPECTION ON ARRIVAL IN NEW ZEALAND

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand will check the accompanying documentation on arrival to confirm that it is correct and reconciles with the actual consignment.

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand requires, with 95% confidence, that not more than 0.5% of the units in a consignment are infested with visually detectable, regulated pests. To achieve this, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand will sample and inspect 600 units with an acceptance level of zero infested units (or equivalent), from the (homogeneous) lot.

6.4 BIOSECURITY/QUARANTINE DIRECTIVE

The consignment may be directed to a MAF Biosecurity New Zealand approved facility for further treatment if required.

6.5 TESTING FOR REGULATED PESTS

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand may, on the specific request of the Chief Technical Officer, test the consignment for regulated pests.

6.6 ACTIONS UNDERTAKEN ON THE INTERCEPTION/DETECTION OF PESTS/CONTAMINANTS

If regulated pests, extraneous plant material or trash are intercepted/detected with the commodity, or associated packaging, the following actions will be undertaken as appropriate (depending on the pest identified):

• Re-sorting (specific conditions apply) of the consignment
• Reshipment of the consignment
• Destruction of the consignment
• Treatment for those pests where an efficacious treatment is available
• The suspension of trade on the detection of high impact pests for which specific pre-arrival phytosanitary measures are required. Suspension of trade will continue until the cause of the non-compliance has been identified and corrective actions have been implemented to the satisfaction of MAF Biosecurity New Zealand.

If an organism is intercepted/detected that is not on the pest list (appended to this document), the consignment will be held (or equivalent) until an assessment is undertaken to determine the organism’s regulatory status and appropriate measures developed if required.

Consignments that are contaminated with extraneous plant material and/or trash in the 600 unit sample will result in the consignment being held until an assessment has been made in comparison with the risk of importing the part(s) of the plant species concerned.

6.7 BIOSECURITY CLEARANCE

If regulated pests are not detected, or are successfully treated following interception/detection biosecurity clearance will be given.

6.8 AUDIT OF OFFSHORE MEASURES

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand reserves the right to audit all processes that are undertaken offshore, including phytosanitary measures for high impact pests.

6.9 FEEDBACK ON NON-COMPLIANCE

The Tuvalu NPPO will be informed by MAF Biosecurity New Zealand’s Chief Technical Officer of the interception (and treatment) of any regulated pests, "unlisted" pests, or non-compliance with measures specified in this import health standard.

7 Contingencies Following Biosecurity Clearance

Should a regulated pest be detected subsequent to biosecurity clearance, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand may implement a management programme (official control programme) in accordance with Part V of the Biosecurity Act 1993 and Part 5 of the Biosecurity Amendment Act 1997.

Appendix 1 Regulated Pest List Commodity Sub-class: Fresh Fruit/Vegetables Coconut Cocos nucifera from Tuvalu

Scientific name	Organism type	Common name	Measures to prevent introduction	Actions on interception
Aspidiotus destructor	insect	Coconut scale	1a & 1b	1 &/or 2
Chrysomphalus aonidum	insect	Circular black scale#	1a & 1b	1 &/or 2a
Chrysomphalus dictyospermi	insect	Dictyospermum scale#	1a & 1b	1 &/or 2a
Chrysomphalus propsimus	insect	Propsimus sacle	1a & 1b	1 &/or 2
Dysmicoccus boninsis)	insect	Grey sugarcane mealybug	1a & 1b	1 &/or 2
Dysmicoccus brevipes	insect	Pineapple mealybug	1a & 1b	1 &/or 2
Ferrisia virgata	insect	Striped mealybug	1a & 1b	1 &/or 2
Icerya aegyptiaca	insect	Egyptian fluted scale	1a & 1b	1 &/or 2
Icerya seychellarum	insect	Seychelles scale	1a & 1b	1 &/or 2
Pinnaspis strachani	insect	Small snow scale	1a & 1b	1 &/or 2
Anoplolepis gracilipes	insect	Yellow crazy ant	1a & 1b	1 &/or 2
Monomorium destructor	insect	Destructive trailing ant	1a & 1b	1 &/or 2
Paratrechina bourbonica	insect	Robust crazy ant	1a & 1b	1 &/or 2
Paratrechina longicornis	insect	Slender crazy ant	1a & 1b	1 &/or 2
Paratrechina vaga Forel	insect	Forrest parrot ant	1a & 1b	1 &/or 2
Tetramorium simillimum	insect	Similar groove headed ant	1a & 1b	1 &/or 2
Wasmannia auropunctata	insect	Little fire ant#	1a & 1b& 2a	1 &/or 2a
Neotermes rainbowi	insect	Coconut termite	1a & 1b	1 &/or 2
Graeffea crouanii	insect	Coconut stick insect	1a & 1b	1 &/or 2
Phytophthora palmivora	fungi	Coconut bud rot	1a & 1b	1 &/or 2
Pseudoepicoccum cocos	fungi	Stem bleeding	1a & 1b	1 &/or 2

# Denotes a high impact pest.

Measures to prevent entry & establishment

.

No measures as pest non regulated

1a

Visual inspection of produce and associated packaging

1b

Consignment must be free from extraneous material – pests are associated with other plant parts (e.g., leaves, stems, flowers) and/or soil

2a

Undergone appropriate pest control activities

2b

Pest free area (based on official detection survey)

3

Agreed offshore treatment

4

Approved generic treatment

Actions on interception

NA

No actions as pest is non regulated

0

No action due to low risk pathway

1

Removal of extraneous material – pests are associated with other plant parts (e.g., leaves, stems, flowers) and/or soil

2

Treat, reship or destroy

2a

Treat, reship or destroy. Suspend pathway

3

Reship or destroy. Suspend pathway