Official Assurance Programme for Export of Live Animals and Germplasm

The Official Assurance Programme for live animals and germplasm is an export programme specifically related to the export of live animals, and germplasm of some species. The programme is supported by four legal notices (see below OAP legal notices) that introduced some significant changes to the export programme from November 2011.

The Ministry for Primary Industries is currently working towards the amalgamation and harmonisation of export programmes.

As a part of this review, the Official Assurance Programme: Requirements for Export of Live Animals and Germplasm (OAP) is being replaced by four Codes of Practice. The Codes of Practice consolidate the recommendations that are agreed with industry for the minimum export standards supporting the issue of official assurances under Part 5 of the Animal Products Act 1999.

The requirements for export are published as two types of documents that set the standards and specifications for export:

  • Codes of Practice or the OAP
  • Export Requirements (overseas market access requirements)

Development of Codes of Practice to replace the OAP

The current version of the Official Assurance Programme: Requirements for Export of Live Animals and Germplasm (OAP) is Version 5, which has sections deleted where a Code of Practice replaces that section.

Official Assurance Programme Requirements for Export of Live Animals and Germplasm Link to PDF document (794 KB)

Official Assurance Programme Forms

The following two Codes of Practice and a separate definitions document were issued for use from 1 February 2013.

Draft Codes of Practice

The following two draft Codes of Practice are currently undergoing consultation:

Verification of Export Approved Premises

The Export Verification Programme document defines the operational detail of the verification process for export approved premises (semen centres, embryo teams and poultry hatcheries) being implemented.

Export Verification Programme Link to PDF document (76 KB)

Issues Register for interpretations and clarifications

Since the issuing of the Official Assurance Programme in 2008, a number of questions have arisen about interpretations of various sections of the Official Assurance Programme. MPI has provided clarifications, and these are now recorded in the issues register:

Issues Register - Official Assurance Programme Link to PDF document (566 KB)

Note: this is a living document and will be updated as issues are raised and clarified. Check these from time to time as the document may be updated with minor amendments without formal notification.

OAP legal notices

Animal Products (Official Assurances Specification) Notice 2013 Link to PDF document (274 KB)
Animal Products (Recognised Agencies and Persons Specifications) Notice 2011 Link to PDF document (109 KB)
Animal Products (Export Approved Premises) Notice 2011 Link to PDF document (74 KB)
Animal Products (Export Verification Requirements) Notice 2011 Link to PDF document (118 KB)

Complaints and appeals procedure

A complaints and appeals procedure can be downloaded here:

Complaints and Appeals Link to PDF document (25 KB)

Page last updated: 24 April 2013