Import Health Standard  
Issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fertilisers and Growing 
Media of Plant Origin  
IHS.FERTGRO  
27 February 2024  
 Import Health Standard: Fertilisers and Growing Media of Plant Origin   
  27 February 2024  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 1 of 15 
TITLE  
Import Health Standard : Fertilisers and Growing Media of Plant Origin  
COMMENCEMENT 
This  Import Health Standard comes into force on 27 February 2024 . 
REVOCATION 
This import health standard revokes and replaces  the Import Health Standard: Fertilisers and Growing Media of 
Plant Origin, 28 April 2023.  
 
The amendment history to this import health standard is set out in Appendix 2 : Amendment Record.  
ISSUING AUTHORITY  
This Import Health Standard is issued under  section 24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993 to incorporate amendments 
made pursuant to sections 24B and 166A of that Act .  
 
Dated at Wellington,  27 February 2024  
 
 
Paul Hallett  
Manager, Environmental Health  
Biosecurity New Zealand  
Ministry for Primary Industries  (acting under delegated authority of the Director -General)  
 Contact for further information  
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) 
Biosecurity New Zealand  
Animal and Plant Health Directorate  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
Email: plantimports@mpi.govt.nz
  
 Import Health Standard: Fertilisers and Growing Media of Plant Origin   
  27 February 2024  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 2 of 15 
Contents  Page 
Introduction 3 
Part 1:  General Requirements  4 
1.1 Application  4 
1.2 Incorporation of material by reference  4 
1.3 Definitions  4 
1.4 General  4 
1.5 Packaging  5 
1.6 Documentation and inspection 5 
1.7 Permit  5 
1.8 Phytosanitary certificate 6 
1.9 Manufacturer’s certificate  6 
1.10  Treatment certificate 6 
1.11  Laboratory test result  7 
Part 2:  Specific Requirements 8 
2.1 Fertilisers, growing media, and bioremediation products  8 
2.2 Coco peat (= coir pith, coir peat) products  9 
2.3 Raw peat and processed peat products  11 
Appendix 1: Definitions  13 
Appendix 2: Amendment Record  14 
 
 Import Health Standard: Fertilisers and Growing Media of Plant Origin   
  27 February 2024  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 3 of 15 
Introduction  
This introduction is not part of the Import H ealth Standard (IHS)  but is intended to indicate its general effect.  
Purpose  
This IHS  specifies the requirements for the importation of fertilisers and growing media of plant origin from all 
countries , to manage the biosecurity risks which may be associated with these goods . 
Background  
The New Zealand Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act)  provid es the legal basis for effectively managing the import of 
risk goods.  
Import health standards (IHS), issued under the Act, specify requirements to be met for the effective management 
of imported risk goods that may pose a biosecurity threat to New Zealand. IHS include requirements that must be 
met in the exporting country, during transit and importation and post clearance, if specified, before biosecurity clearance can be given.  
Who should read this Import Health Standard?  
This IHS should be read by anyone involved in the process  of importing fertilisers and growing media of plant 
origin into New Zealand. 
Why is this important?  
Importers must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the goods comply with this IHS (section 16B of the Act).   
Goods that do not meet the import requirements described in this IHS may  not be cleared for entry into New 
Zealand and may be directed for treatment, reshipment, destruction, or further action deemed appropriate by a 
chief technical officer (CTO).  
Equivalence  
The CTO may consider an application for equivalent phytosanitary  measures , different from those set out in this 
IHS which can be applied to effectively manage risks associated with the importation of these goods.  
Equivalence will be considered with reference to the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures 24 
(ISPM 24).   
Other information  
This is not an exhaustive list of compliance requirements. It is the importer ’s responsibility to be familiar with and 
comply with all New Zealand laws . Other legislation which may be relevant to the importation of fertilisers and 
growing media of plant origin is identified below: 
Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act (1997)  
If a product makes a claim to act as a pesticide, fertiliser, or to have medicinal properties, the product must 
comply with the relevant requirements of the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act (1997).  Import Health Standard: Fertilisers and Growing Media of Plant Origin   
  27 February 2024  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 4 of 15 
Part 1:  General Requirements  
1.1 Application  
(1) This IHS applies to fertilisers , growing media and bioremediation products derived from plant material, 
coco peat and peat products . 
 
Guidance  
• Growing media associated with imported nursery stock is out of scope of this IHS.  
• The following goods are out of scope of this IHS and are eligible for import under : 
− Plant products or by -products of processed plant products intended to be used for animal 
feeds  
− Mats and fibres derived from plants for uses other than fertilisers, growing media, or 
bioremediation products  
− Bulk inorganic fertilisers  
− Fertilisers containing microorganisms but no plant -based materials  
• There are no biosecurity requirements for the import of the following goods : 
− Coir fibre products made from large coir fibres for a variety of uses (e.g. mattress matting, 
basket liners, erosion and weed control matting, fibre blankets, domestic mats, brushes and fillers for industrial uses, clean coir twine or fibre rolls).  
− Inorganic liquid fertilisers  
− Inorganic bagged/containerised fertilisers  
− Inorganic growing media (e.g. perlite, vermiculite, akadama, kanuma)  
1.2 Incorporation of material by reference  
(1) The following documents are incorporated by reference under section 142M of the Act:  
a) ISPM 5. 2017. Glossary of phytosanitary terms. Rome, IPPC, FAO;  
b) ISPM 12. 2016. Phytosanitary certificates. Rome, IPPC, FAO;  
c) ISPM 24. 2017. Guidelines for the determination and recognition of equivalence of phytosanitary 
measures. Rome, IPPC, FAO ; 
d) MPI Official New Zealand Pest Register (ONZPR) ;  
e) MPI Schedule of Regulated (Quarantine) Weed Seeds . 
(2) Under section 142O(3) of the Act it is declared that section 142O(1) does not apply, that is, a notice under section 142O(2) of the Act is not required to be published before material that amends or replaces any material incorporated by reference has legal effect as part of those documents 
1.3 Definitions 
(1) Definitions are listed in Appendix 1.  
1.4 General  
(1) All fertilisers , growing media and bioremediation products must : 
a) meet the requirements of Part 1: General Requirements  and Part 2: Specific Requirements ; 
b) be free from viable regulated seeds, live regulated arthropods , soil,  and animal material; 
c) be held and shipped  in a secure manner to prevent c ontamination . Import Health Standard: Fertilisers and Growing Media of Plant Origin   
  27 February 2024  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 5 of 15 
Guidance  
• Products containing both plant and animal origin ingredients must meet the requirements of this 
standard and the relevant animal product standard. 
• Products containing viable seeds should meet the requirements of this standard and also the 
Seeds for Sowin g Standard . 
1.5 Packaging 
(1) Consignments must be securely packaged to prevent loss of contents and cross -contamination during 
transportation.  
(2) Packaging materials must be inert, clean, and appropriate for the goods.  
(3) Unaccompanied consignments must be clearly labelled to identify the  contents, along with the names and 
contact details of the recipient and sender.  
1.6 Documentation and inspection  
(1) Documentation must be  either:  
a) in English; or  
b) accompanied by an English translation. 
(2) Documentation will be inspected to verify that it compl ies with the requirements of this IHS.  
 
Guidance  
• Consignments may be inspected on arrival at a transitional facility or biosecurity control area to 
verify compliance with the requirements of this I HS. Inspection is on a  compliance basis of one 
every 10 consig nments.  
 
• Where regulated seeds or arthropods  are found  during inspection , the importer will be given the 
following options:  
i) identification of seeds or arthropods ; 
– by approved suppliers of pest identification services ( listed in Table  1)  
Depend ing on the result of the identification, further action for regulated seeds and 
arthropods may be required . 
ii) treatment, under the  Treatment Requirement : Approved Biosecurity Treatments (MPI-ABTRT ) 
– by approved NZ treatment supplier s.  
iii) reshipment of the products  to the country of export , or destruction of the goods.  
1.7 Permit 
(1) A permit is required only where specified in Part 2:  Specific Requirement  of the IHS.   
(2) The following information must be provided when applying for a permit:  
a) description of the products ’ ingredients  
b) details of the processing and any treatment involved (dosage and duration)  
c) if products contain viable microorganisms, full scientific name (genus and species) of all 
microorganisms. 
 
 Guidance  
• A permit will specify:  
− whether the product  is eligible for biosecurity clearance on arrival;  Import Health Standard: Fertilisers and Growing Media of Plant Origin   
  27 February 2024  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 6 of 15 
− whether the product  should be directed to a transitional facility on arrival ;  
− whether other documentations (phytosanitary certifi cate, manufacturer’s certificate, treatment certificate) 
are required ; 
− any special conditions necessary to show the requirements of this IHS are met; and  
− any special conditions that effectively manage the biosecurity risk.  
• To apply for a permit, fill out the Application  for a Permit, and send it to Plant Imp orts at  
plantimports@mpi.govt.nz  
1.8 Phytosanitary certificate  
(1) A phytosanitary certificate is required where specified  in Part 2: Specific Requirements  of the IHS.  
(2) Phytosanitary certificates must be issued by the exporting National Plant Protection Organisations 
(NPPOs) in accordance with ISPM 12  and include any additional declaration(s) as  required under Part 2: 
Specific Requirements . 
(3) Before a phytosanitary certificate is issued, the NPPO of the exporting country must inspect the 
consignment and must be satisfied that the consignment is free of any  viable seeds,  live regulated 
arthropods , soil, and animal material.  
(4) The phytosanitary certificate must include the following declaration:  
a) “This is to certify that the plants, plant products or other regulated articles described herein have 
been inspected and/or tested according to appropriate official procedures and are considered to be 
free from the quarantine pests specified by the importing contracting party and to conform with the current phytosanitary requirements of the importing contracting party, including those for regulated 
non-quarantine  pests .” 
 
Guidance  
• For a list of NPPOs, refer to the International Plant Protection Convention  (IPPC) website.    
1.9 Manufacturer’s certificate  
(1) A manufacturer’s certificate is required where specified in Part 2: Specific Requirements  of the IHS.    
(2) Manufacturer’s certificates must be issued on company letterhead by a person authorised to act on behalf 
of the company and include the following information:  
a) authorised person’s name, signature, job title and date of issue;  
b) name and address of the supplier (if different to the manufacturer);  
c) product identity (description or brand name) ; 
d) details of the processing  and any treatment involved (core temperature, dosage , duration, etc ); 
e) date of manufacture.  
1.10 Treatment certificate  
(1) A treatment certificate is required where specified in Part 2: Specific Requirements  of the IHS.  
(2) Treatment certificates must be issued on company letterhead by a person authorised to act on behalf of 
the company and include the following information:  
a) authorised person’s name, signature, job title and date of issue;  
b) product identity (description or brand name);  
c) date and details of the treatment  (core temperature, dosage, duration , etc). 
(3) Acceptable treatments are listed in the table below: Import Health Standard: Fertilisers and Growing Media of Plant Origin   
  27 February 2024  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 7 of 15 
 
Treatment type  Details  
Moist h eat  • raise the core temperature of the product to a minimum of : 
− 85°C for 15 hours  at 40% relative humidity  
− 100°C for 25 minutes  at 40% relative humidit y 
Dry heat  • raise the core temperature of the product to a minimum of : 
− 110°C for 16 hours  
− 121°C for 2 hours  
− 154°C for 30 minutes  
− 193°C for 4 minutes  
− 221°C fo r 2 minutes  
Autoclaving  • raise the core temperature of the product to a minimum of : 
− 120°C for 30 minutes  at 100 kPa  
Irradiation  • minimum of 25 kGy  
 
Guidance  
• A separate treatment certificate is not required if the detail of the treatment is outlined on the 
phytosanitary certificate  or manufacturing certificate.   
• The treatment may occur during the manufacturing process or on arrival in New Zealand.  
• Treatments  may not be available on -arrival in New Zealand. It is recommended importers check be fore 
import if an approved treatment provider is available: MPI Approved Treatment Provider  
1.11 Laboratory test result  
(1) A laboratory test result is required where specified in Part 2: Specific Requirements  of the IHS.  
(2) Laboratory test results must be endorsed by government or issued by a government  operated laborator y 
and include the following information:  
a) authorised person’s name, signature, job title and date of issue;  
b) product identity (description or brand name);  
c) completion date of testing;  
d) declaration stating that :  
i) “the product  has been randomly sampled and tested using  a ‘grow- out’ test showing freedom 
from viable seeds. ” 
 
Guidance  
• A separate laboratory test result is not required if the above declaration is endorsed on the phytosanitary 
certificate.   Import Health Standard: Fertilisers and Growing Media of Plant Origin   
  27 February 2024  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 8 of 15 
Part 2:  Specific Requirements  
2.1 Fertilisers, growing media, and bioremediation products  
(1) Fertilisers , growing media , and bioremediation products  derived from plant material are eligible for 
biosecurity clearance if it meets the requirements set out in Table 1.  
 
Table 1. Requirements for importation of fertilisers, growing media , and bioremediation products  
#. Type of products  General  requirements  Documentation requirements  
1 Any p roducts containing viable 
microorganisms  Microorganisms must not be:  
• new organisms  
• regulated pests Permit  issued in accordance with 
Part 1. 7 
2 Manufactured products  Products m ust be manufactured 
into the form of granular, fibrous, 
powder or liquid .  Manufacturers certificate  issued in 
accordance with Part 1. 9 that also 
details:  
(a) the final form of the product  
3 Products that may contain viable seed  Products must be treated  with one 
of the following options  (see 
Part 
1.10): 
• Moist heat  
• Dry heat  
• Autoclaving  
• Irradiation  Manufacturers certificate issued in accordance with Part 1. 9
 that also 
details:  
(a) the treatment process that has 
been applied  
OR 
Treatment certificate issued in accordance with Part 1. 10
 
4 All other products   Permit  issued in accordance with 
Part 1. 7 
 
Guidance  
• Fertilisers, growing media and bioremediation products are produced:  
i) by the decomposition of fresh or dry plant material;  
ii) by processing dried plant material;  
iii) from by-products of processed plant products, including but not limited to oil seed meals (e.g. copra 
meal, cotton seed meal, mustard meal, neem meal, palm kernel meal, soybean meal and distillers 
dried grains), cotton delinting by-product, husks and ground nut shells.  
• Examples  of growing media are mushroom casings, processed peat pots, pellets, discs, and plugs.  
• For products containing viable microorganisms;  
i) the new organism status of microorganisms can be searched on HSNO approvals register . If the 
microorganism  is not listed on the HSNO approvals register, the importer may contact the EPA new 
organisms’ group  f or further advice . 
ii) the regulatory status of microorganism s can be searched on Official New Zealand Pest Register 
(ONZPR) . I f the microorganism is not listed on ONZPR, or the regulatory status is unclear, contact 
MPI plant imports team  for further advice.  
• For manufactured products, ACVM class determination  may be required if label claims are made.  Import Health Standard: Fertilisers and Growing Media of Plant Origin   
  27 February 2024  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 9 of 15 
2.2 Coco peat (= coir pith , coir peat) products  
(1) This Part  sets out the specific requirements for coco peat products.  
(2) The import option must be specified on the import documentation. 
2.2.1 Coco peat products produced in a quality production system  
(1) Coco peat must be produced using quality production system s to avoid any contamination with viable 
seeds, live regulated arthropods, soil, and animal material.  
(2) The production system must ensure t hat: 
a) traditional methods of retting husks in open troughs or ponds are not being used; and  
b) bore water  must be used for coco peat, chips , or crush washing/rinsing; and  
c) coco peat drying areas must be buffered underneath from contact with soil; and  
d) a plant -free buffer zone of 3 metres must be maintained around the coco peat drying areas unless 
concrete walls are built on the perimeter of concrete pads.  
(3) Coco peat  products  are eligible for biosecurity clearance if they  meet the requirements of one of the 
options set out in Table 2. 
 
Table 2. Requirements for importation of coco peat products  produced in a quality production system  
Option 1:  Coco peat products  with a ‘grow -out’ test in the exporting country  
Testing 
(1) Coco peat products must be randomly sampled  and tested by the NPPO of the exporting country  using 
a ‘grow out’ test to confirm freedom from viable seeds.  
Documentation 
(2) Phytosanitary certificate: 
a) the following additional declaration must be endorsed on the phytosanitary certificate:  
i) “this consignment has been randomly sampled and tested by a ‘grow- out’ test showing 
freedom from viable seeds. ” 
(3) A laboratory test result  is only  required if the above declaration is not endorsed on the phytosanitary 
certificate.  
 
Option 2:  Coco peat products with ‘grow -out’ test in New Zealand  
Direction to transitional facility  
(1) Consignments must be directed to a transitional facility approved to receive plant products for the 
duration of the testing.  
Testing 
(2) Consignments must be randomly sampled by MPI and tested using a ‘grow-out’ test . 
(3) Consignments will be granted biosecurity clearance upon receipt of negative ‘grow-out’ test results.  
Documentation  
(4) Phytosanitary certificate  Import Health Standard: Fertilisers and Growing Media of Plant Origin   
  27 February 2024  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 10 of 15  
Option 3:  Grow slabs and grow bags for use in a transitional facility in New Zealand  
Direction to transitional facility  
(1) Consignments  must be directed into a transitional facility approved to receive plant products.  
(2) Grow slabs and grow bags must be used/h eld in the transitional facility for a minimum of 9 months.  
Documentation  
(3) Phytosanitary certificate  
2.2.2 Coco peat products undergoing phytosanitary treatment  
(1) Coco peat products are eligible for biosecurity clearance if they  meet  the requirements of one of the 
options set out in Table 3. 
Table 3. Requirements for importation of coco peat products  undergoing phytosanitary treatment  
Option 4:  Coco peat products t reated prior to export  
Treatment  
(1) Prior to export, the coco peat products must be treated by one of the following treatment  types  (see per 
Part 1. 10). 
• Moist heat  
• Dry heat  
• Autoclaving  
• Irradiation  
Documentation  
(2) Phytosanitary certificate  
a) Treatment details can be recorded in the disinfection and/or disinfection treatment section of the 
phytosanitary certificate.  
(3) A treatment certificate is only required if the treatment details are not recorded  on the phytosanitary 
certificate.   
Option 5:  Coco peat p roducts sterilised  during manufacture  
Treatment  
(1) During manufactur e, the coco peat products must be treated  by one of the following treatment  types  
(see per Part 1. 10). 
• Moist heat  
• Dry heat  
• Autoclaving  
• Irradiation  
Documentation  
(2) Manufacturer’s certificate: 
a) the core temperature that the product reached during manufacture and the time held at that 
temperature must be recorded in the manufacturer’s certificate.  
(3) Phytosanitary certificate  Import Health Standard: Fertilisers and Growing Media of Plant Origin   
  27 February 2024  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 11 of 15  
Option 6:  Coco peat products imported for t reatment in New Zealand  
Direction to transitional facility  
(1) Consignments must be directed to a transitional facility approved to receive plant products for treatment . 
Treatment  
(2) Coco peat products must be treated by one of the following treatment  types  (see per Part 1. 10). 
• Moist heat  
• Dry heat  
• Autoclaving  
Documentation 
(3) No additional documentation is required.  
 
Guidance  
• Examples of coco peat products are:  
i) coco peat products for use as growing media in various grades  
ii) finished products for horticultural/agricultural use (e.g. grow slabs, grow bags, bales, blocks, discs, pots, 
starter cubes and small blocks)  
iii) ‘chips’ and ‘crush’ derived from the whole chopped  and crushed husk pieces  
iv) compressed or non -compressed product  
• Compressed coco peat product s that require a “grow out” test will be broken down for samplin g. 
• For importation of trade samples of coco peat please refer to the Research Samples (excluding animal 
samples) import health standard . 
2.3 Raw p eat and processed peat products  
(1) This part  sets out the specific requirements for raw peat and processed peat products.  
2.3.1 Raw peat  
(1) Raw excavated peat, including peat used as a packing material, must meet the requirements of one of the options outlined in Table 4.  
 
Table 4. Requirements for importation of  raw excavated peat  
Option 1:  Raw peat from all countries treat ed prior to export  
(1) Prior to export, the raw peat must be treated by one of the following treatment  types  (see per Part 1. 10). 
• Moist heat  
• Dry heat  
• Autoclaving  
• Irradiation  
Documentation  
(2) Phytosanitary certificate:  
a) Treatment details can be recorded in the disinfestation and/or disinfection treatment section of the 
phytosanitary certificate.  Import Health Standard: Fertilisers and Growing Media of Plant Origin   
  27 February 2024  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 12 of 15  
(3) Treatment certificate, only required if the treatment details are not recorded on the phytosanitary 
certificate.  
Option 2:  Raw peat from Canada produced under the Canadian Peat Certification Program me 
Documentation  
(1) Phytosanitary certificate:  
a) before a phytosanitary certificate is issued, the Canadian NPPO must be satisfied that the raw 
peat conforms to the Canadian Peat Certification Program me.  
b) the following additional declaration must be endorsed on the phytosanitary certificate:  
i) “this raw peat consignment conforms to the Canadian Peat Certification Programme .” 
Option 3:  Raw peat from Australia, Canada , United Kingdom, and the European Union  
Documentation  
(1) Phytosanitary certificate  
2.3.2 Processed peat  
(1) Processed peat products must be treated by one of the following treatment types (see per Part 1. 10). 
• Moist heat  
• Dry heat  
• Autoclaving  
• Irradiation   
Documentation  
(2) Manufacturer’s certificate  
(3) Treatment certificate  – only required if the treatment details are not recorded on the manufacturer’s  
certificate.  
 
Guidance  
• Examples of processed peat products are peat pots, peat plugs and pellets . 
• Processed peat  products that do not meet the requirements of Part 2.3.2 may be eligible  for import  under 
Part 2.1 .  
 Import Health Standard: Fertilisers and Growing Media of Plant Origin   
  27 February 2024  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 13 of 15  
Appendix  1: Definitions  
Definitions have the same meaning as defined by the Act and ISPM 5 , unless set out below:  
Bioremediation  product  
A product that uses naturally occurring organisms in a bioremediation process ( to break down hazardous 
substances into less toxic or non -toxic substances). 
Coir 
Fibre derived from the husk of coconuts.  
Coco peat  (=coir pith or coir peat)  
The by -product which arises during the extraction of coir fibre from coconut husks. It can be used as  a multi-
purpose growing medium, which may be compressed into finished products (e.g. bales, discs, pots) or 
uncompressed chips and crush.  
Fertiliser  
A substance applied to soi l or to plant tissues to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of 
plants . 
Grow out test  
A test which is conducted to determine the presence/absence of the viable see ds. The products will be broken 
down for sampling, and the samples will be grown for 3 weeks to observe if any seeds germinate from them.  
International Plant Protection Convention ( IPPC) 
As deposited in 1951 with FAO in Rome and subsequently amended. International Plant Protection Convention .  
International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures ( ISPM) 
An international standard adopted by the Conference of FAO, the interim Commission on Phytosanitary or the 
Commission on Phytosanitary Measures, established under the IPPC.    
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) 
The NPPO of New Zealand  
National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) 
Official service established by a government to discharge the functions specified by the IP PC. 
Official New Zealand Pest Register (ONZPR)  
The ONZPR is the site for official information about pests and disease -causing organisms in New Zealand, 
authorised by MPI.  
Peat  
Includes all stages of anaerobic decomposition of Sphagnum  and other wetland plants: dried material, peat moss 
(mildly decomposed), peat (advanced decomposition.) Peat can be exported as a distinct commodity or used as a 
packing material.  
Processed peat products   
Peat product s that have  been sterilised during manufacture such as peat pots, peat plugs and pellets . 
Plant material  
The term “Plant material” in this IHS also covers lichens, algae or fungi unless specified otherwise.  
Retting   
A process to separat e fiber  from stems using micro- organisms and moisture to dissolve or rot away cellular 
tissues.  Import Health Standard: Fertilisers and Growing Media of Plant Origin   
  27 February 2024  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 14 of 15  
Appendix 2: Amendment Record  
The following table provides a summary of amendments to this import health standard.  
#: Details:  Date:  
1 (1) under Section 2.1.1:  
The statement “heat treatment by raising the core temperature of the peat to” has been 
changed to “heat treatment by raising the core temperature of the product  to”. 
(2) under Section 2.4, Option 2  
The statement  “, and the coco peat (randomly sampled) is free from viable seeds based on a 
‘grow -out test’” has been removed. 
(3) under Section 2.4, Option 4:  
a) The statements  “must inspect the coco peat and” and “must be satisfied that the coco peat 
is free of any visually detectable soil, seeds, contaminant animal or plant material and other extraneous matter” have been removed. 
 
b) The statement “a) this coco peat consignment has: i) been inspected in accordance with 
appropriate official procedures and found to be free of any visually detectable soil, seeds, regulated pests, contaminant animal or plant material and other extraneous material;” has 
been removed.  
 
c) The statement “ Treatment must occur no more than 21 days prior to the consignment 
arriving in New Zealand;” has been changed to  
“Treatment must occur no more than 21 days prior to export”.  
(4) under Section 2.4, Option 6:  
The statement “Treatment must occur no more than 21 days prior to the consignment arriving 
in New Zealand ;” has been removed . 31 May 2017  
2 Reference to ISPM 24 was added to the “Equivalence” Part.  
Reference to the other IHSs which were outlined in the Guidance box in Part 1.1 were 
moved to the “Other information” part.   
The generic statement from ISPM 12 has been added to the “Phytosanitary 
Certificate” section.  
In Part 1.10, "must be issued by a person authorised to act on behalf of the company" has been replaced with "must be endorsed by government or issued by government’s 
laboratories".  
Part 2 of the IHS has been restructured to fix errors, clarify the ambiguities , and avoid 
repetition of the requirements.  
In Part 2.1, “Treatment for seeds devitalisation is required for products containing 
viable seed" has been changed to “Treatment for seeds devitalisation is required for products that contain or are suspected to contain viable seed".  
In Part 2.5 (option 2 and 3), additional declarations (the raw peat consignment is free of soil, regulated pests and contaminants; and the raw peat consignment is packaged in clean packaging)  have been removed.  
Definitions list in Appendix 1 has been updated.  2 October 2018  
3 Amend Part 2.4(7)  to remove requirements for trade samples, as these hav e been 
moved to the import health standard for Research Samples (excluding animal 
samples) .  21 June 2021  
4 Part 2.1  updated  to state  that document requirements will be specified in the permit ; 
provide guidance on what goods fit in this category. Transitional information provided 
in guidance box.  
Part 2.5  updated with headings for Raw and Processed Peat.  
Definition and references  to BORIC replaced with ONZPR, hyperlinks updated, 
references to other IHS updated, language around permits made consistent . 10 March  2022  Import Health Standard: Fertilisers and Growing Media of Plant Origin   
  27 February 2024  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page 15 of 15 
5 Part 2.4 updated with guidance for certain goods out of scope of this IHS  
Part 2.5 Table 2 Option 3 upda ted to clarify that the United Kingdom is no longer part 
of the European Union. Note clarifying list of EU countries removed.  
Spelling error and broken links fixed.  5 December 
2022  
6 Clarification throughout document that only products derived from plant material come 
under this standard.  
Part 1.1 updated to list inorganic growing media as a non -risk good.  
Part 1.5  updated to make clarify that English translations are allowed  
Part 1.6 updated to require a list of microorganisms contained in product  
Part 2.1 removal of transitional guidance added in amendment 4  
Part 2.3 Removal of guidance that goods under this standard need to meet 
requirements in MICROIC.ALL.  
Definition  of peat updated  to include information about Sphagnum  28 April 2023  
7 Re-numbered  and formatted Part 2, including combining 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 into Part 
2.1.  
Removed permit requirement for fertilisers and growing media of plant origin that 
undergo seed devitalisation treatment - Part 2.1  
Coco peat - removed permit and questionnaire requirement - Part 2.2  (Previously Part 
2.4) 
Clarified and updated guidance throughout the standard.  
Add definition of ‘plant material ’ and ‘grow out test ’ to Appendix 1  27 February 2024