Consultation: IHS for Specified Processed Freshwater Fish for Human Consumption from Specified Countries

The New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) must consult with interested parties before issuing or amending (other than of minor nature) import health standards in accordance with Section 22 of the Biosecurity Act (1993) and Biosecurity New Zealand's consultation policy. An import health standard specifies zoosanitary requirements that must be carried out, either in the country of origin or of export, during transit, or in quarantine, before biosecurity clearance can be given for the commodity to enter New Zealand. MAF must ensure that these requirements are technically justified and provide an appropriate level of biosecurity protection.

This import health standard allows the importation of frozen, skinless, boneless fish fillets (or mince derived from fillets) of tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) for human consumption from Brazil and the People's Republic of China. This import health standard is based on the import risk analysis for frozen, skinless, boneless fish fillets (or mince derived from fillets) of tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) from Brazil and the People's Republic of China for human consumption and the accompanying review of submissions.

A copy of the draft import health standard for specified processed freshwater fish for human consumption from specified countries, dated 27 February 2008 can be found below:

Comments on this draft document should be forwarded to MAF by close of business on 19 March 2008. MAF encourages respondents to forward comments electronically to the email address below. However, should you wish to forward submissions in writing, please send them to the address that follows:

  • Richard Soons
    Pre-Clearance Directorate
    Biosecurity New Zealand
    Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
    PO Box 2526
    Wellington
    New Zealand
  • Fax: +64 4 819 0662
    Email: richard.soons@maf.govt.nz

Please see the MAF Biosecurity New Zealand website for additional information on 'Making a submission'.

Submissions received by the closure date will be considered for the final issue of this import health standard. Submissions received after the closure date may be held on file for consideration when the issued standard is next revised/reviewed.

Please note that your submission is public information. Submissions may be the subject of requests for information under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA specifies that information is to be made available to requesters unless there are sufficient grounds for withholding it, as set out in the OIA. Submitters may wish to indicate grounds for withholding specific information contained in their submission, such as the information is commercially sensitive or they wish personal information to be withheld. Any decision to withhold information requested under the OIA is reviewable by the Ombudsman.

Richard Soons
Senior Advisor Animal Imports

Page last updated: 18 June 2008