Import Health Standard  
Issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Persea americana  Plants for 
Planting  
MPI.IHS.PERSEA.PFP  
[Document Date]  
 Import Health Standard : Persea americana Plants for Pl anting   
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Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  1 of 19 
TITLE  
Import Health Standard : Persea americana Plants for Planting  
COMMENCEMEN T 
This import health standard  comes into force on  [Effective Date]   
ISSUING AUTHORITY  
This import health standard  is issued  under section 24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993 . 
 
Dated at Wellington, [Document Date]  
 
 
Lisa Winthrop  
Manager Plant Health Group  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
(acting under delegated authority of the Direc tor-General)  
 
Contact for further information  
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)  
Biosecurity New Zealand  
Plant Health  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
 
Email: PlantImports@mpi.govt.nz   
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Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  2 of 19 
Contents  Page 
Introduction  3 
Part 1:  Requirements  4 
1.1 Application  4 
1.2 Incorporation by reference  4 
1.3 Definitions  4 
1.4 General requirements for P. americana plants for planting  4 
1.5 Import permit  5 
1.6 Options for import  5 
Part 2:  Specific requirements  7 
2.1 Leafless cuttings  7 
2.2 Plants in vitro  7 
2.3 Screening for regulated pests  7 
2.4 Post-entry quarantine  8 
Part 3:  Inspection, verification and documentation requirements  10 
3.1 Inspection  10 
3.2 Verification  10 
3.3 Phytosan itary certification  10 
3.4 Additional declarations  11 
Schedule 1: Regulated pest list  12 
Schedule 2: Inspections and mandatory testing requirements  13 
Schedule 3: Approved insecticide treatments – P. americana leafless cuttings  14 
Schedule 4: Approved  miticide treatments – P. americana leafless cuttings  15 
Schedule 5: Definitions  17 
Schedule 6: Document history  19 
 
 
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Introduction  
This introduction  is not part of the  import health standard , but is intended to indicate its general effect.  
Purpose  
An import health standard specifies the requirements for importing risk goods into New Zealand from all 
countries. This import health standard specifies the requirements that must be met when importing 
P. americana  plants for planting into New Zealand.  
Background  
An import health standard issued under the New Zealand Biosecurity Act 1993  specifies the requirements to 
be met to effectively manage biosecurity risks associated with importing risk goods, including the risks from 
incidentally imported new organisms. Import health standards include measures that must be applied in the 
exporting country before the risk goods are exported. Import health standards also incl ude requirements that 
must be met by importers during importation, including while the risk goods are in transit to New Zealand and 
held in a transitional facility, before biosecurity clearance can be given.  
Post-clearance conditions may also be specified in an import health standard.  
Who should read this?  
This import health standard should be read by anyone involved in the process of importing P. americana  
plants for planting into New Zealand (or who has an interest in importing P. americana  plants for planting).  
Why is this important?  
It is the responsibility of the importer to ensure that risk goods (i.e. P. americana  plants for planting) comply 
with the requirements of the relevant import health standard. Risk goods that do not comply with the 
requirements of an import health standard may not be cleared for entry into New Zealand and may be directed 
for treatment, re -export, destruction or further action deemed appropriate by a chief technical officer (CTO). 
The pathway may be suspended  if certain types of viable regulated pests or weed seeds are intercepted on 
the consignment.  
Importers are liable for all associated expenses.  
Equivalence  
A chief technical officer may consider an application for an equivalent phytosanitary measure to be approved, 
different from that provided for in this import health standard, to maintain at least the same level of protection 
assured by the current measures .  
Equivalence will be considered with reference to the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures 
ISPM  24. 
Guidance information  
Guidance boxes are included within this import health standard  for explanatory purposes. The guidance 
included in these boxes is for information only and has no legal effect.  Import Health Standard : Persea americana Plants for Pl anting   
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Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  4 of 19 
Part 1:  Requirements  
1.1 Application  
(1) This import health standard applies to plants for planting of the species Persea americana . 
(2) The following types of P. americana  plants for planting are eligible f or import from any country:  
a) leafless cuttings ; 
b) plants in vitro . 
1.2 Incorporation by reference  
(1) The following documents are incorporated by reference under section 142M of the 
Biosecurity  Act 1993 : 
a) ISPM 4. Requirements for the establishment of pest free areas . Rome, IPPC, FAO ; 
b) ISPM 5. Glossary of phytosanitary terms . Rome, IPPC, FAO ; 
c) ISPM 7. Phytosanitary certification system . Rome, IPPC, FAO ; 
d) ISPM 8. Determination of pest status in an area . Rome, IPPC, FAO ; 
e) ISPM 10. Requirements for the establishment of pest free places of production and pest free 
production sites . Rome, IPPC, FAO ; 
f) ISPM 12. Phytosanitary certificates . Rome, IPPC, FAO ; 
g) ISPM 23. Guidelines for inspection . Rome, IPPC, FAO ; 
h) ISPM 24. Guidelines for the determination and recognition of equivalence of phytosanitary 
measures . Rome, IPPC, FAO ; 
i) ISPM 27. Diagnostic proto cols for regulated pests . Rome, IPPC, FAO ; 
j) ISPM 36. Integrated measures for plants for planting . Rome, IPPC, FAO ; 
k) Official New Zealand Pest Regist er (ONZPR). Wellington, MPI ; 
l) MPI Plants Biosecurity Index (PBI). Wellington, MPI ; 
m) MPI Schedule of Regulated (Quarantine) Weed Seeds. Wellington, MPI . 
(2) Under section 142O(3) of the Biosecurity Act 1993  it is declared that section 142O(1) does not apply, 
that is, a notic e under section 142O(2)  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 in Schedule 5. 
1.4 General requirements for P. americana  plants for planting  
(1) For P. americana  plants for planting to obtain authorisation for movement from port of first arrival to a 
transitional facility, P. americana  plants for planting must:  
a) meet the requirements for an import permit ( Part 1.5 ) and choice of import options ( Part 1.6);  
b) meet the requirements for leafless cuttings ( Part 2.1 ) or plants in vitro  (Part 2.2 ); and  
c) be accompanied by documentation that meets the requirements of Part 3 . 
(2) In order to obtain biosecurity clearance into New Zealand, P. americana  plants for planting must also:  
a) meet the re quirements of screening for regulated pests ( Part 2.3 ) and post-entry quarantine ( Part 
2.4); 
b) be free from all viable regulated pests (including but not limited to the pests listed in Schedule 1 ); 
and Import Health Standard : Persea americana Plants for Pl anting   
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c) have all sub-cultured and multiplied plants in vitro traceable back to either the original imported 
plant, or to a bud f rom an imported cutting which has met both the above requirements.  
1.5 Import permit  
(1) An import permit is required for all consignments of P. americana  plants for planting.  
(2) The import permit will identify the following:  
a) the regulated pests for which screening i s required in New Zealand;  
b) the transitional facility to which plants must be directed from the port of first arrival;  
c) the minimum post -entry quarantine period based on those regulated pests for which screening is 
required; and  
d) the level of quarantine green house and/or quarantine tissue culture laboratory in which 
consignments must be held, based on those regulated pests for which screening is required.  
1.6 Options for import  
(1) P. americana  plants for planting must be:  
a) produced under an Export Plan in accordance with Part 1.6.1 ; or 
b) produced at an MPI -approved offshore facility in accordance with  Part 1.6.2 ; or 
c) produced in any  other  way in accordance with  Part 1.6.3 . 
1.6.1 P. americana  plants for planting produced under an Export Plan  
(1) Importers may import P. americana  plants for planting produced under an Export Plan from a country 
where an Export Plan has been approved by a CTO. The Export Plan will detail the activities and 
processes established to achieve the measures identified in Part 1.6.1(2) . 
(2) P. americana  plants for planting must meet one of the following measures to manage the risk in 
relation to each regulated pest identified in the Export Plan:  
a) Country freedom: The P. americana  plants for planting are sourced from a country that has 
country freedom from the pest in accordance with ISPM 4 . 
b) Pest-free area: The P. americana  plants for planting are sourced from a pest -free area 
established in accordance with ISPM 4 . 
c) Pest-free place of production: The P. americana  plants for planting are sourced from a pest -free 
place of production established in accordance with ISPM 10 . 
d) Integrated measures for plants for planting: The P. americana  plants for planting are sourced 
from a production site that uses integrated measures for plants for planting in accordance with 
ISPM 36 . 
(3) A phytosanitary measure for any regulated pest listed in Schedule 1  that is not identified in the Export 
Plan must be applied on arrival in New Zealand as described in Parts 2.3 and 2.4. 
1.6.2 P. americana  plants for planting produced at an MPI -approved offshore facility  
(1) Importers may import P. americana  plants for planting produced at an MPI -approved offshore facility.  
(2) P. americana  plant s for planting produced at an MPI -approved offshore facility must meet all the 
phytosanitary measures described in Part 2.3  in relation to each regulated pest listed in the agreement 
between MPI and the offshore facility.  
(3) A phytosanitary measure for any regulated pest listed in Schedule 1  that is not applied at the offshore 
facility must be applied on arrival in New Zealand as described in Parts 2.3  and 2.4. Import Health Standard : Persea americana Plants for Pl anting   
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1.6.3 P. americana  plants for planting produced in any other way  
(1) For P. americana  plants for planting not produced under an Export Plan or at an MPI -approved 
offshore facility, all phytosanitary measures described in Parts 2.3  and 2.4 must be applied for each 
regulated pest on arrival in New Zealand.  
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Part 2:  Specific requirements  
(1) Leafless cuttings must meet all requirements in Part 2.1 . 
(2) Plants in vitro must meet all requirements in Part 2.2. 
(3) P. americana  plants for planting must be screened in New Zealand for each regulated pest , listed in 
Schedule 1 , as described in Part 2.3 , unless:  
a) phytosanitary measures in relat ion to a regulated pest have been applied in accordance with an 
agreed Export Plan or at an MPI -approved offshore facility. In th ese case s, the import permit will 
identify the regulated pests for which phytosanitary measures must be applied on arrival in 
New Zealand.  
(4) P. americana  plants for planting that require phytosanitary measures to be applied on arrival in New 
Zealand must be held in a transitional facility approved to the MPI Facility Standard: Post Entry 
Quarantine for Plants  as described in Part 2.4 . 
2.1 Leafless cuttings  
(1) Before  export, leafless cuttings must be:  
a) free from soil and other regulated articles;  
b) clearly labelled with the ir genus and specie s names ; 
c) treated for insects and mites in accordance with  Schedule s 3 and 4, or by alternative treatments 
that have been approved by MPI ; 
d) held i n a manner to prevent recontamination after insect and mite treatments have been applied;  
e) shipped in packaging that:  
i) is clean and free from soil, visible regulated pests and other regulated articles;  
ii) prevents the plant material from becoming contaminated with regulated pests or other 
regulated articles during transit; and  
f) accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate in accordance with  Part 3.3 . 
2.2 Plants in vitro  
(1) Before  export, plants in vitro must be:  
a) clearly la belled with the ir genus and species  names ; 
b) derived from aerial plant parts;  
c) grown in a pest -proof and transparent vessel;  
d) grown in a medium free from fungicides, antibiotics, and charcoal;  
e) grown in the vessel they will be exported  in for at least 14 days before  shipment;  
f) free from visible fungal or bacterial contamination; and  
g) accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate, as described in Part 3.3 . 
2.3 Screening for regulated pests  
(1) To ensure freedom from regulated pests, P. americana  plants for planting must be screened for each 
regulated pest listed in Schedule 1  on arrival in New Zealand, as described in this Part, unless:  
a) phytosanitary measures for a p articular pest have been applied as described under an agreed 
Export Plan or at an MPI -approved offshore facility. In this case, the import permit will identify the 
requirements of this Part that must be applied on arrival in New Zealand.  Import Health Standard : Persea americana Plants for Pl anting   
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Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  8 of 19 
2.3.1 Testing for regul ated pest and disease symptoms  
(1) Testing for regulated pests must be done at a transitional facility approved to MPI Facility Standard: 
Identification of Organisms . 
(2) P. americana  plants for planting must be tested for all re gulated pests identified in Schedule 2 , 
regardless of whether a plant is showing signs or symptoms of pests or disease (mandatory test).  
(3) Samples for a mandatory test must be collected according to Schedule 2 . 
(4) Each P. americana  plant in a quarantine greenhouse, must be individually labelled and tested, with the 
following exception:  
a) For PCR testing, samples taken from up to five plants of the same species can be combined to 
form a single composite sam ple for mandatory testing.  
2.3.2 Inspection  
(1) All plants must be inspected for signs and symptoms of regulated pests by the facility operator at least 
twice per week during periods of active growth.  
(2) All plants must be inspected for signs and symptoms of regulated  pests by the MPI inspector according 
to Schedule 2 .  
2.3.3  Reporting pest and disease symptoms  
(1) When a pest is found, or signs or symptoms of a pest are observed on a P. americana  plant for 
planting by the facility operator, the fac ility operator must inform the MPI inspector within 24 hours of 
detection.  
 
Guidance  
• The MPI Facility Standard: Post Entry Quarantine for Plants  outlines the procedures when any pests or 
disease symptoms are observed by the facility operator.  
2.4 Post -entry quarantine  
(1) For P. americana  plants for planting, all requirements must be applied as described in this Part, unless:  
a) phytosanitary measures for a particular pest have been applied as described under an agreed 
Export Plan or in accordance with the  agreement between MPI and an approved  offshore facility. 
In this case, the import permit will identify the requirements of thi s Part that must be applied on 
arrival in New Zealand.  
(2) P. americana  plants for planting must be quarantined in a transitional facility approved to the MPI 
Facility Standard: Post Entry Quarantine for Plants . The type and level of transiti onal facility will be 
specified on the import permit:  
a) For p lants produced under an export plan ( Part 1.6.1 ) or from an MPI-approved offshore facility 
(Part 1.6.2 ), the minimum period of post -entry quarantine , and type of quarantine greenhouse,  
will be determined during development of an export plan or approval of an offshore fa cility.  
b) For p lants  produced any other way ( Part 1.6.3 ), the minimum period of post -entry quarantine will 
be 12 months in a Level  3B quarantine greenhouse.  
(3) The post -entry quarantine period for P. americana  plant s for planting begins after imported plants held 
in a quarantine greenhouse have started active growth.  
a) For plants derived from imported cuttings , active growth begins when grafted plants  have 
developed at least two fully expanded leaves.  
b) For plants import ed as plants in vitro, active growth begins after the plants have been deflasked 
into a quarantine greenhouse.  Import Health Standard : Persea americana Plants for Pl anting   
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(4) For plants imported under Parts 1.6.1  and 1.6.2  (plants produced at an MPI -approved offshore facility) , 
the post -entry quarantine period will be determined after there is an established export plan or 
agreement between an offshore facility and MPI.   
(5) For plants imported under Part 1.6.3  (plants produced any other way) , the post -entry quarantine period 
must be a minimum of 1 2 months  according to Part 2.4.1 .  
(6) All leafless cuttings must be dipped in 1% sodium hypoc hlorite for a minimum of 2 minutes on arrival at 
the quarantine greenhouse.  
(7) If plants in vitro are sub -cultured in a quarantine tissue culture laboratory before they are transferred to 
a quarantine greenhouse, the following requirements must be met:  
a) At lea st one subculture from each imported plant must be developed to the stage where it can be 
de-flasked into the quarantine greenhouse and screened for regulated pests as described in 
Part 2.3: 
i) This subculture shoul d be taken during the first round of multiplication after plants arrive in 
New Zealand.  
ii) If only one plant is obtained during the first round of multiplication, further rounds of 
multiplication may be undertaken. In this case, a subculture for transfer to t he quarantine 
greenhouse must be taken from the first round of multiplication where more than one plant 
is obtained.  
b) Surplus subcultures that are produced as described in Part 2.4(7)(a)  above may be retained at a 
Level 3 quarantine tissue culture laboratory throughout the post -entry quarantine period:  
i) These plants may be sub -cultured and multiplied during the post -entry quarantine period.  
ii) These plants may also be considered for biosecurity clearance provided that tr aceability  to 
the plant in the quarantine greenhouse  is maintained.  
2.4.1 Environmental conditions in post -entry quarantine  
(1) Specific environmental conditions must be applied in the follow ing order : 
a) Plants must be held for a minimum four-month period of  continu ous summer -like conditions . The 
temperatures must be between 25±3 °C. 
b) Plants must then be held for a minimum  two-month period of continuous autumn -like conditions . 
The temperatures must be between  21±3° C. 
c) Plants must then be held for a minimum  three -month p eriod of  continuous  spring -like conditions. 
The temperatures must be between 19±3 °C. 
d) Plants must then be held for a three -month  period of continuous summer -like conditions . The 
temperatures must be between 25±3 °C. 
(2) If there are deviations from the requireme nts in Part 2.4.1(1)  while plants are being held in the 
quarantine  greenhouse, the facility operator must inform the MPI inspector as soon as practical.  
(3) The operating manual for the quarantine greenhouse must  describe how the environmental conditions 
given in Part 2.4.1  will be monitored, maintained, and recorded.  Import Health Standard : Persea americana Plants for Pl anting   
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Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  10 of 19 
Part 3:  Inspection, verification and documentation 
requirements  
3.1 Inspection  
(1) The NPPO of the exporting country  must:  
a) visually inspect each sample unit according to official phytosanitary procedures and ISPM 23  for 
all visually detectable pests that are regulated by New Zealand ; 
b) reconcile that the number of un its presented for inspection is consistent with documentation ; 
c) verify that traceability labelling is complete; and  
d) verify that phytosanitary security is maintained for the consignment.  
(2) A sample unit for the purpose of this import health standard  is an indi vidual cutting or an individual 
plant in vitro.  
(3) If pests are found that are not listed in Schedule 1  or the Official New Zealand Pest Register , the 
NPPO must contact MPI to  establish their regulatory status before issuing the phytosanitary certificate.  
3.2 Verification  
(1) For leafless cuttings , the NPPO must verify that the plants comply with all requirements set out in 
Part 2.1. 
(2) For plants in vitro, the NPPO must verify that the plants comply with all requirements set out in 
Part 2.2. 
(3) For any P. americana  plants for planting produced under an Export Plan, the NPPO must verify that 
they are:  
a) free from regulate d pests listed in the Export Plan; and  
b) held in a manner to ensure that infestation/reinfestation does not occur following inspection and 
certification.  
(4) For any plants produced at an MPI-approved offshore facility, the NPPO must verify that they are:  
a) free from regulated pests listed in the agreement between MPI and the offshore facility; and  
b) held in a manner to ensure that infestation/reinfestation does not occur following inspection and 
certification.  
3.3 Phytosanitary certification  
(1) Each consignment must meet the requirements in Part 3  and be accompanied by a phytosanitary 
certificate issued by the NPPO in accordance with ISPM 12 . 
(2) The phytosanitary certifica te must include the following:  
a) sufficient detail to enable identification of the consignment and its component parts. Information 
must include country of origin;  
b) the genus and species of all P. americana  plants for planting in the consignment;  
c) all relevant  additional declaration(s) as described in Part 3.4 ; 
d) full treatment details in the “Disinfestation and/or Disinfection Treatment” section of the 
phytosanitary certificate (applies to leafless cuttings only, as described in Part 2.1 );  
e) the following declaration, or a variation that is compliant with ISPM 12  and has been approved by 
a CTO:  Import Health Standard : Persea americana Plants for Pl anting   
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Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  11 of 19 
i) “This is to certify tha t 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 an d to conform with the current phytosanitary requirements of the importing 
contracting party, including those for regulated non -quarantine pests.”  
(3) If a consignment of P. americana  plants for planting is stored in another country in transit to 
New Zealand or  is opened, is split up or has its packaging changed prior to arrival in New Zealand, a 
phytosanitary certificate for re -export must accompany each consignment from the transiting country, 
in accordance with ISPM 12 . 
3.4 Additional declarations  
(1) The NPPO must include the following additional declarations on the phytosanitary certificate:  
a) for P. americana  plants for planting produced under an agreed Export Plan (produced under Part 
1.6.1 ): 
i) “This consignment was produced and prepared for export in accordance with the agreed 
Export Plan.”  
b) for P. americana  plants for planting produced at an offshore facility (produced under Part 1.6.2 ): 
i) “This consignment was produced and prepared for export in accordance with the 
agreement between MPI and [name of approved offshore facility].”  Import Health Standard : Persea americana Plants for Pl anting   
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Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  12 of 19 
Schedule  1: Regulated pest list  
Regulated pest  Mandatory testing requirements1 
Bacteria  
Xylella fastidiosa  PCR  
Fungi  
Colletotrichum  aenigma  - 
Colletotrichum chrysoph ilum - 
Colletotrichum endophyticum  - 
Colletotrichum jiangxiense  - 
Colletotrichum nymphaeae  - 
Colletotrichum queenslandicum  - 
Colletotrichum tropicale  - 
Diaporthe perseae  - 
Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae  Plating onto suitable isolation medium  or PCR  
Neocosmpospora perseae  - 
Neofusicoccum nonquaesitum  Plating onto suitable isolation medium  or PCR  
Pestalotiopsis longiseta  - 
Oomycetes  
Phytophthora palmivora  PCR  
Viroids  
Avocado sunblotch viroid  PCR  
Potato spindle tuber viroid  PCR  
Phytoplasmas  
“Candidatus  Phytoplasma” spp.  PCR  
 
Guidance  
• The Official New Zealand Pest Register  contains the full list of regulated pests. If detected in imported 
P. americana  plants for planting, MPI will identify the causal agent of disease symptoms and confirm the 
regulatory status by referring to  the register . 
• If an organism is detected that is not listed in the Official New Zealand Pest Register , the chief technical 
officer will make a decision on the regulatory status of that organism and will update  the register  
accordingly.  
 
                                                           
1 Mandatory testing requirements identified in Schedule 1  are specific testing requirements that must be completed in 
addition to growing season inspection (which is required for all regulated pests). Mandatory tests identified above must 
be done using samples collected in accordance with Schedule 2 . Import Health Standard : Persea americana Plants for Pl anting   
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Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  13 of 19 
Schedule 2: Inspections and mandatory testing requirements  
On arrival mandatory testing requirements for cuttings of P. americana  plants for planting  
Timing of sample collection  Sample type  Pests and tests  
On arrival in post-entry quarantine  Budwood material, including two 
buds from each imported leafless 
cutting . Oomycetes  
PCR  
• Phytophthora palmivora  
Post -entry quarantine m andatory testing requirements in post -entry quarantine  for P. americana 
plants for planting  
Growing 
conditions  MPI Inspections  Sampling  Pests and tests  
Summer -like 
conditions for a 
minimum  of 4 
months according 
to Part 2.4.1  Two inspections 
required  
 
 Sampling of plants for 
testing must occur toward 
the end of the summer  
growing period.  Phytoplasmas and viroids  
PCR  
• “Candidatus  Phytoplasma” 
spp. 
• Avocado sunblotch viroid  
• Potato spindle tuber viroid  
 
Bacteria  
PCR  
• Xylella fastidiosa  
Autumn -like 
conditions for a 
minimum  of 2 
months acco rding 
to Part 2.4.1  One inspection 
required  N/A N/A 
Spring -like 
conditions for a 
minimum  of 3 
months  accord ing 
to Part 2.4.1  Two inspections 
required  N/A N/A 
Summer -like 
conditions for a 
minimum  of 3 
months accord ing 
to Part 2.4.1  Two inspections 
required  Sampling of plants for 
testing must occur toward 
the end of the summer 
growing period.  Fungi  
Plating or PCR  
• Lasiodiplodia 
pseudotheobromae  
• Neofusicoccum nonquaesitum  
 
Viroid s 
PCR  
• Avocado sunblotch viroid  
 
Oomycetes  
PCR  
• Phytophthora palmivora  
 
Bacteria  
PCR  
• Xylella fastidiosa  
 Import Health Standard : Persea americana Plants for Pl anting   
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Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  14 of 19 
Schedule 3: Approved insecticide treatments – P. americana  
leafless cuttings  
(1) One of the  treatment options listed below must be applied.  
 
Treatment  Specification  
Methyl bromide  
(option 1)  Temperature ( °C) Rate (g/m ³) Minimum duration  
28–32 28 2 hours  
21–27 32 2 hours  
16–20 40 2 hours  
10–15 48 2 hours  
 
Hot water treatment 
followed by chemical 
treatment  
(option 2)  All treatments must be applied in the following order:  
1) Immersion in water at a minimum continuous temperature of 24°C for a 
minimum period of 2 hours;  
2) Immersion in water at a minimum continuous temperature of 45°C for a 
minim um period of 3 hours;  
3) Dipping (with agitation) for a minimum of two minutes in chlorpyrifos dip (2.4 g 
active ingredient per litre, or label rates) containing a non -ionic surfactant. If 
bubbles are present on the plant surface after the initial two -minute  period, 
the immersion period must be extended to a minimum of five minutes.  
Chemical treatment  
(option 3)  All plant material must be dipped (with agitation), in a solution containing two active 
ingredients, one from the organophosphorous chemical group a nd the second from 
one of the other approved groups listed below . 
 
Chemical group  Active ingredient  Minimum immersion 
period  
Organophosphorous  Chlorpyrifos (0.8 g active 
ingredient per litre)  2 minutes  
(Non -ionic surfactant 
required for dips)  Pirimiphos -methyl (0.475 g 
active ingredient per litre)  
Carbamate  Carbaryl (label rate)  2 minutes  
Diacylhydrazine  Tebufenozide (label rate)  2 minutes  
Spinosyns  Spinosad (label rate; 
treatment must be applied at 
room temperature)  2 minutes  
Pyrethroid  Deltamethrin (label rate)  15 minutes  
Fenvalerate (label rate)  15 minutes  
If bubbles are present on the plant surface after the initial two -minute period, the 
immersion period must be extended to a minimum of five minutes.  
 Import Health Standard : Persea americana Plants for Pl anting   
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Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  15 of 19 
Schedule 4: Approved miticide treatments – P. americana  
leafless cuttings  
(1) One of the treatment options listed below must be applied.  
 
Treatment  Specification  
Methyl 
bromide  
(option 1)  Minimum initial 
concentration 
(g/m³)  Minimum 
concentration -time 
product  (CT) / 
achieved dose 
(g·h/m³)  Minimum 
temperature over 
duration of 
treatment (°C)  Minimum 
concentration over 
duration of 
fumigation (g/m³)  
2 h 2.5 h  3 h   2 h  2.5 h  3 h 
68 56 48 120 10 51 41 34 
57 48 40 100 16 43 35 28 
48 40 34 85 21 36 29 24 
40 32 28 70 28 30 23 20 
 
Minimum concentration during fumigation (g/m³) must be achieved throughout the treatment 
and depends on the temperature and duration of the treatment.  
 
2 h: The treatment duration is over a minimum of 2 continuous hours.  
2.5 h: The treatment duration is over a minimum of 2.5 continuous hours.  
3 h: The treatment duration is over a minimum of 3 continuous hours.  
 
Guidance  
• The shaded area suggests the minimum initial methyl bromide concentration that can 
achieve the required CT values a t the optional temperature and treatment duration 
combinations.  
 
Chemical 
treatment  
(option 2)  All plant material must be dipped (with agitation) using either option 1 or option 2 described 
below. For dipping, minimum treatment time is two minutes, extended to five minutes if 
bubbles remain present on the plant surface.  
 
Option 1: one acaricide treatment  
Active 
ingredient  Chemical group  Rate (g/L 
water)  Formulation 
type Re-treatment 
period  
Spiromesifen  Tetronic and tetramic  acid 
derivatives; group 23  0.152  Suspension 
concentrate  7–10 days  
Milbemectin  Avermectins, 
milbemycins; group 6  0.012  Suspension 
concentrate   
Fenpyroximate  METI acaricides and 
insecticides; group 21A  0.025  Suspension 
concentrate   
Bifenazate  + 
abamectin  Bifenazate; group 20D  
avermectins, 
milbemycins; group 6  0.135  
0.007  Suspension 
concentrate  7–10 days  
 
The rate is the concentration of active ingredient, not the amount of concentrate solution.  
Retreatment must be applied according to the NOVACH EM agrichemical manual or label.  
 Import Health Standard : Persea americana Plants for Pl anting   
 Draft for Consultation  [Document Date]  
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  16 of 19 
Option 2: two acaricides combined treatment  
• Option 2A: etoxazole + one of the chemicals selected from group a  
• Option 2B: fenazaquin + one of the chemicals selected from group b  
Active 
ingredient  Chemical group  Rate (g/L 
water)  Formulation type*  
OPTION 2A (non -dormant material only)  
Etoxazole  Etoxazole; group 10B  0.038  Suspension 
concentrate  
Group a  
Abamectin  Avermectins, Milbemycins; group 6  0.012  Emulsifiable 
concentrate  
Chlorfenapyr  Pyrroles; group 13  0.087  Suspension 
concentrate  
OPTION 2B  
Fenazaquin  METI acaricides and insecticides; 
group 21A  0.352  Suspension 
concentrate  
Group b 
Aceq uinocyl  Acequinocyl; group 20B  0.150  Suspension 
concentrate  
Dicofol  Dicofol; group UN  0.694  Emulsifiable 
concentrate  
 
 Import Health Standard : Persea americana Plants for Pl anting   
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Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  17 of 19 
Schedule 5: Definitions  
Unless defined below special terms have the same definition as given in ISPM 5  or the Biosecurity Act 1993 . 
Derived forms of terms (inspect from inspection) have the same meaning as the defined term.  
Active growth  
A plant on which at least two fully expanded leaves, which have developed from dormant buds in the current 
growing season, are present  
Cutting  
A commodity subclass of “plants for planting ” for propagation material from the stem only (no roots)  
Dormant  
Temporarily inactive/suspended growth (cuttings of deciduous species should have no leaves; bulbs should 
have no leaves or roots)  
Export Plan  
An Export Plan is a document negotiated between MPI and the NPPO of the exporting country that details 
how the exporting country will meet the import requirements (Targeted Measures and/or MPI -Specified 
Measures) for New Zealand  
FAO  
Food and Ag riculture Organization of the United Nations  
In transit  
Refers to risk goods (consignments) in the process of being shipped to New Zealand  
IPPC  
International Plant Protection Convention  
International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM)  
The list of I SPMs is available from: https://www.ippc.int/en/core -activities/standards -setting/ispms/   
Mandatory testing  
Specific testing for pests and diseases as stated in the import hea lth standard  
MPI 
Ministry for Primary Industries  
Official New Zealand Pest Register (ONZPR)  
The Official New Zealand Pest Register  is the site for official information about pests and disease -causing  
organisms in New Zealand, authorised by the Ministry for Primary Industries  
Offshore facility  
A production site approved by MPI to the MPI Standard: Standard for Offshore Facilities Holding and Testing 
Plants for Planting  (or any subsequent version of that standa rd) for the export of P. americana  plants for 
planting to New Zealand  
Pests that are regulated by New Zealand  
When used in this standard “pests that are regulated by New Zealand” has the same definition as “regulated 
pest”.  
Plants Biosecurity Index  (PBI)  
MPI database that lists plant species that have been approved for import into New Zealand as plants for 
planting or seed for sowing. The PBI is available at https://www1.maf.govt.nz/cgi -bin/bioindex/bioindex.pl  Import Health Standard : Persea americana Plants for Pl anting   
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Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  18 of 19 
Quarantine greenhouse  
A greenhouse that is approved by MPI as a transitional facility under the MPI Facility Standard: Po st Entry 
Quarantine for Plants  for the purpose of holding any plant material imported as plants for planting or seed for 
sowing that requires post -entry quarantine before the plants can be given biosecurity clearance  
Quarantine tissue culture laboratory  
A tissue culture laboratory that is approved by MPI as a transitional facility under the MPI Facility Standard: 
Post Entry Quarantine for Plants  for the purpose of holding any plants imported as plants in vitro that require 
post-entry quarantine before the plants can be given biosecurity clearance  
Regulated pest  
A pest identified as a regulated pest in the Official New Zealand Pest Register  or the  MPI Schedule of 
Regulated ( Quarantine) Weed Seeds  
Tissue culture  
Plants in vitro that have been prepared as tissue culture from one parent by asexual reproduction (clonal 
techniques) under sterile conditions  
Viable regulated pest  
Any regulated pest that i s capable of reproduction and development, including insects, plants, seeds and 
other organisms  Import Health Standard : Persea americana Plants for Pl anting   
 Draft for Consultation  [Document Date]  
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  19 of 19 
Schedule 6: Document history  
Version Date  Section Changed  Change(s) Description  
 All First issuance of  standard