IMPORT HEALTH STANDARD FOR THE IMPORTATION INTO NEW ZEALAND OF SPECIFIED BEE PRODUCTS

Import Health Standard for the Importation into New Zealand of Specified Bee Products

BEEPROIC.ALL 25 March 2004 Page 1 of 6

IMPORT HEALTH STANDARD FOR THE

IMPORTATION INTO NEW ZEALAND OF

SPECIFIED BEE PRODUCTS

Issued pursuant to Section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993

Date: 25 March 2004

USER GUIDE

The information in MAF animal and animal product import health standards is presented

in num

erically 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 im

port health standards and the general

responsibilities of every importer of animals and animal products.

Part B. IMPORTATION PROCEDURE contains sections which outline the requirem

ents

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

et 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 m

odel health certification which

must be completed by the appropriate personnel as indicated in the certification and

accompany the consignment to New Zealand. When MAF has accepted health

certification produced by a government authority in the exporting country as meeting the

requirements of the model health certification this is noted. When no health certification

is required to accompany consignments Part D. will note “none required”.

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 specified bee products.

1.2 Obtaining biosecurity clearance for each consignm

ent of specified bee products

imported into New Zealand is dependant upon the consignment meeting the

requirements of this import health standard.

Import Health Standard for the Importation into New Zealand of Specified Bee Products

BEEPROIC.ALL 25 March 2004 Page 2 of 6

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 Director

Animal Biosecurity.

2 IMPORTER'S RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1 The costs to MAF in perform

ing functions relating to the importation of specified

bee products shall be recovered in accordance with the Biosecurity Act and any

regulations made under that Act.

2.2 All costs involved with docum

entation, transport, storage and obtaining a

biosecurity direction and/or biosecurity clearance shall be borne by the importer or

agent.

2.3 Please note that com

mercial consignments of products imported into New Zealand for

human consumption must comply with the Food Regulations (1984) of New Zealand.

Importers are advised to contact the New Zealand Ministry of Health if in doubt

whether or not imported foods are eligible for sale within New Zealand.

3 DEFINITION OF TERMS

biosecurity clearance

As defined by the Biosecurity Act 1993.

Director Animal Biosecurity

The Director Animal Biosecurity, New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, or

any person who for the tim

e being may lawfully exercise and perform the power and

functions of the Director Animal Biosecurity.

equivalence

Acceptance by the Director Animal Biosecurity that the circumstances relating to the

portation 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.

sealed packaging

The packaging is impervious and sealed at the point of m

anufacture. The original packaging

must be intact i.e. has not been opened. Examples are screw-top glass or plastic containers

with tamper-proof seals, sealed foil retort pouches, vacuum packed and heat-sealed plastic

containers and cans.

Import Health Standard for the Importation into New Zealand of Specified Bee Products

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4 EQUIVALENCE

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

Importations of specified bee products into New Zealand which meet the

requirements of this import health standard may, subject to sections 27 and 28 of the

Biosecurity Act, be given biosecurity clearance and do not require a biosecurity

direction to a transitional facility. As such, they do not require a permit to import.

6 ELIGIBILITY

6.1 Products manufactured from beeswax including beeswax candles, refined

beeswax, beeswax polish, lubricants etc. may be imported from any country

provided that the product is not intended for use in the beekeeping industry, and that

the product is not attractive to bees.

(NB: Beeswax foundation sheets or unprocessed beeswax may not be imported

under clause 6.1.)

(NB: If it cannot be determined whether or not a product is attractive to bees, a

sam

ple shall be referred to Import Management, Animal Biosecurity, MAF

Biosecurity Authority, P O Box 2526, Wellington for assessment.)

6.2 Up to 1 kilogram of unprocessed beeswax m

ay be imported from any country

provided that the product is not intended for use in the beekeeping industry and that

the product is not attractive to bees.

(NB: If it cannot be determined whether or not a product is attractive to bees, a

sam

ple shall be referred to Import Management, Animal Biosecurity, MAF

Biosecurity Authority, P O Box 2526, Wellington for assessment.)

6.3 Beeswax

foundation sheets may be imported from any country provided that the

product is not attractive to bees and the consignment is accompanied by a certificate

issued by the appropriate government authority in the exporting country confirming

that the foundation sheets have been sterilised by:

i. heat at 80°C for 60 m

inutes during manufacture; OR

ii. irradiation (post m

anufacture) at 2.5 megarads and that the stacks of

foundation sheets were no thicker that 100 mm during irradiation.

Import Health Standard for the Importation into New Zealand of Specified Bee Products

BEEPROIC.ALL 25 March 2004 Page 4 of 6

(NB: small quantities (i.e. < 5) foundation sheets may be imported without a

certificate provided that the product is not for use in the beekeeping industry.)

(NB: coloured foundation sheets in retail packs for use by candle makers may be

ported without a certificate.)

(NB: If it cannot be determined whether or not a product is attractive to bees, a

sam

ple shall be referred to Import Management, Animal Biosecurity, MAF

Biosecurity Authority, P O Box 2526, Wellington for assessment.)

6.4 Foods for human consumption containing bee products as an ingredient such as

flavourings, sauces, carbonated drinks and confectionery

may be imported from

any country provided that the following requirements are met:

i. the products shall be com

mercially packaged in sealed packaging.

ii. the products have been fully processed i.e. have undergone a heating process

during m

anufacture.

iii. the products shall be shelf-stable.

(NB: jams, marinades, mustards (except as listed in clause 6.5) and fruit drinks

(excluding carbonated canned and bottled drinks) containing honey m

ay not be

imported under clause 6.4.)

6.5 Honey & mustard and honey & port dressings manufactured by Taylors Original

Mustard Company, Cheshire, United Kingdom m

ay be released unconditionally.

6.6 Medicines, health foods and tonics containing bee products such as pollen, royal

jelly, propolis, honey and bee venom

may be imported from any country provided

that the product:

i. is com

mercially packaged in sealed packaging for direct retail sale.

ii. in the form

of capsules, tablets, sachets or vials (i.e. individual doses).

iii. is intended for hum

an consumption.

(NB: commercially packed medicines containing alcohol may be released

unconditionally regardless of packaging or dosages.)

(NB: Bulk importation of capsules, tablets or vials requires a permit to import.)

6.7 Honey (liquid, comb, propolis or any other form) m

ay be imported from Niue,

Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Western Samoa provided that the consignment

is accompanied by certification issued by the appropriate government authority

which states that:

i. the honey is a natural product produced by the honey bee Apis mellifera;

ii. the honey originates from

that country;

iii. the honey is identified on the certificate as to the form

that the honey is in e.g.

comb, chunk, liquid, retail pack etc.;

iv. the country is free from

European foulbrood caused by Melissococcus pluton.

6.8 Trade samples of honey

may be imported from any country provided that the

Import Health Standard for the Importation into New Zealand of Specified Bee Products

BEEPROIC.ALL 25 March 2004 Page 5 of 6

following requirements are met:

EITHER: the honey shall be maintained under the direct control of an Inspector and

the honey shall be examined/evaluated in the presence of an Inspector. The honey

may be transhipped directly and securely to the office of any Inspector for

evaluation.

OR: a biosecurity direction will be issued on entry of the honey. The honey shall be

taken directly to a transitional facility for evaluation. The prem

ises must be

approved under MAF Regulatory Standard 154.02.18 Transitional Facilities for

Animal Products.

Following evaluation, any remaining honey and residues are to be destroyed by

incineration at an approved facility or sm

all quantities may be washed down a sink.

The honey is not eligible for biosecurity clearance.

6.9 New Zealand honey returning to New Zealand (private consignm

ents, trade

samples or rejected commercial consignments) may be imported from any country

provided that the following requirements are met:

i. the honey is com

mercially packaged in sealed packaging.

ii. the Inspector shall be satisfied that the honey is of New Zealand origin (e.g.

the labelling indicates that the product is of New Zealand origin).

iii. for com

mercial consignments of rejected New Zealand origin honey,

documentary evidence of the export of the honey from New Zealand shall be

presented to the Inspector.

PART C. CLEARANCE PROCEDURE

7 BIOSECURITY DIRECTION

For trade samples of honey (see clause 6.8). If the honey is not to be examined in

the presence of an Inspector, a biosecurity direction shall be issued. The honey

shall be taken directly to a transitional facility for evaluation. The premises must be

approved under MAF Regulatory Standard 154.02.18 Transitional Facilities for

Animal Products.

Following evaluation, any remaining honey and residues are to be destroyed by

incineration at an approved facility or sm

all quantities may be washed down a sink.

The honey will not be eligible for a biosecurity clearance.

8 BIOSECURITY CLEARANCE

8.1 Upon arrival in New Zealand the Inspector at the port of arrival m

ay inspect the

consignment, or a sample of the consignment.

Import Health Standard for the Importation into New Zealand of Specified Bee Products

BEEPROIC.ALL 25 March 2004 Page 6 of 6

8.2 Providing that the docum

entation meets all requirements noted under PART D.

ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION and the consignment meets the conditions of

ELIGIBILITY, 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.

PART D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION

None required.

Ref: AI00-26E BEEPROIC.ALL