/uni0052/uni0069/uni0073/uni006B/uni0020/uni004D/uni0061/uni006E/uni0061/uni0067/uni0065/uni006D/uni0065/uni006E/uni0074/uni0020/uni0050/uni0072/uni006F/uni0070/uni006F/uni0073/uni0061/uni006C/uni003A/uni0020
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/uni0028/uni004D/uni0061/uni0063/uni0072/uni006F/uni0062/uni0072/uni0061/uni0063/uni0068/uni0069/uni0075/uni006D/uni0020/uni0072/uni006F/uni0073/uni0065/uni006E/uni0062/uni0065/uni0072/uni0067/uni0069/uni0069 /uni0029 
 
 
RIVPRAWN.SPE 
 
 
 
 
 
Prepared for public consultation 
by Animal Imports 
Animal and Plant Health Directorate 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Disclaimer 
 
While every effort has been made to ensure the info rmation in this publication is 
accurate, the Ministry for Primary Industries does not accept any responsibility or 
liability for error of fact, omission, interpretati on or opinion that may be present, nor 
for the consequences of any decisions based on this  information. 
 
This publication is also available on the Ministry for Primary Industries website at  
http://www.mpi.govt.nz/news-and-resources/publicati ons/   
 
 
© Crown Copyright - Ministry for Primary Industries   
i Contents Page  
 
Submissions 1 
1 Information 3 
1.1  Purpose 3 
1.2  Background 3 
1.3  Timing and consultation 4 
1.4  Background and context of consultation 4 
2 Biosecurity risks associated with giant river prawn s 4  
3 Proposed risk mitigation measures 5 
3.1  General requirements for all importations of giant river prawns 5  
3.2  Specific requirements for risk organisms 6 
4 Rationale for the proposed measures 6 
4.1  General requirements for all importations of giant river prawns 6  
4.2  Specific requirements for risk organisms 7 
5 References 15  
    
Ministry for Primary Industries  RMP: Giant River P rawns ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) • 1 Submissions 
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invites c omment from interested parties on 
the Import Health Standard:  Giant River Prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)  (the 
standard).  
An import health standard (IHS) “specifies requirem ents to be met for the effective 
management of risks associated with importing risk goods, including risks arising 
because importing the goods involves or might invol ve an incidentally imported new 
organism.” (section 22 Biosecurity, Act 1993) 
MPI would like feedback on the proposed risk manage ment measures for the 
importation of giant river prawns. 
 
Include the following in your submission:  
• The title of the consultation document in the subj ect line of your email 
• Your name and title 
• Your organisation’s name (if applicable)  
Send submissions to animalimports@mpi.govt.nz  by 7 August 2023. 
Feel free to include any technical information you have that supports your 
submission. While we prefer email, if you would lik e to send your submission by post, 
you can mail it to: 
Animal Imports 
Animal and Plant Health Directorate 
Biosecurity New Zealand  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
PO Box 2526 
Wellington 6140 
New Zealand  
If we receive your submission by 7 August 2023, we will consider your feedback as 
we develop the final standard. If we receive your s ubmission after the closing date, 
we will hold it on file for consideration when we n ext review the issued standard.  
  2 • RMP: Giant River Prawns ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) Ministry for Primary Industries Official Information Act 1982 
Please note that your submission is public informat ion, and it is MPI policy to publish 
submissions and the review of submissions on the MP I website. Submissions may 
also be the subject of requests for information und er 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 specif ic information contained in their 
submission, such as information being commercially sensitive or personal. Any 
decision to withhold information requested under th e OIA is reviewable by the 
Ombudsman. 
   
Ministry for Primary Industries  RMP: Giant River P rawns ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) • 3 1 Information 
1.1  Purpose 
 The purpose of this document is to:   
• Outline the proposed risk management measures for the importation of 
giant river prawns ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii );   
• Provide the rationale for the measures and explain  how they manage risk; 
and  
• Ask for feedback on the proposed standard. 
1.2  Background 
 In 2021, Huka Prawn Farm asked MPI to develop an i mport health standard for 
live giant river prawns from Israel or Thailand to be imported as broodstock.  
 Giant river prawns1 are a risk commodity, with the potential to harbou r exotic 
viral and bacterial diseases and other organisms. I n October 2022, MPI 
analysed the risks of importing giant river prawns in Supplementary Risk 
Analysis: Freshwater Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenberg ii) Broodstock from 
Thailand and Israel . In this document, we considered the 2022 version of the 
World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Aquatic  Animal Health Code  (the 
Code ) and reviewed our 2006 document Import Risk Analysis: Freshwater 
Prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) from Hawaii .  
 In October 2022, we began developing an import hea lth standard for giant river 
prawns based on our 2022 supplementary risk analysi s.  
 Where possible, we have aligned the measures for d iseases with the measures 
recommended in WOAH’s 2022 Code . Where there are differences, we have 
justified these in this proposal. In the case of no n-WOAH-listed diseases, the 
measures we are proposing are measures that effecti vely meet New Zealand’s 
appropriate level of protection. 
 Giant river prawns are currently imported using th e following import health 
standard. The new standard will replace this existi ng standard. 
a) Import Health Standard for Freshwater Prawns from H awaii  
 The proposed standard contains general import requ irements. These 
requirements manage the biosecurity risk of importi ng giant river prawns from 
Israel and Thailand. Once we have finalised the sta ndard, we will begin 
negotiating veterinary certificates with our counte rparts in the exporting 
countries. 
 Negotiations take into account the verifiable heal th status of the exporting 
country, the national systems, legislation and regu latory oversight in the 
exporting country of the giant river prawn industry , and the capabilities and 
preferences of the exporting country’s competent au thority. The assessments 
will be based on the Code,  section 3, “Quality of Veterinary Services”. 
 Once MPI is satisfied with the exporting country’s  export systems, we can agree 
on a country-specific veterinary certificate that w ill be used to import giant river 
 
1 Also known as freshwater prawns, giant Malaysian p rawns, giant freshwater prawns, giant long-armed pr awns and scampi 4 • RMP: Giant River Prawns ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) Ministry for Primary Industries prawns. The guidance document that accompanies the import health standard 
has commodity-specific information and examples of country-specific veterinary 
certificates for giant river prawns. 
 Testing requirements are outlined in the import he alth standard and 2022 
supplementary risk analysis, but MPI will agree on the specific tests that a 
country uses during certificate negotiation. This p rocess is explained in the 
guidance document that accompanies the standard. 
1.3  Timing and consultation 
 The proposed standard was released for consultatio n on 10 July 2023  and will 
remain open for consultation until 7 August 2023. 
1.4  Background and context of consultation 
1.4.1  International regulation of risk goods 
 “The World Trade Organization Agreement on the App lication of Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) sets in plac e rules that protect each 
country’s sovereign right to take the measures nece ssary to protect the life or 
health of its people, animals, and plants, while at  the same time facilitating 
trade. It embodies and promotes the use of science- based risk assessments to 
manage the risks associated with the international movement of goods. The 
SPS Agreement guides how New Zealand sets standards  and makes decisions 
related to biosecurity.” (MAF et al., 2009, p. 1) 
 “In particular, [it is] important to maintain the standards of transparency and 
scientific rigour required by the SPS Agreement and  to make decisions as 
quickly as possible. This will encourage other coun tries to comply with the rules 
of the SPS Agreement and also demonstrate that New Zealand’s strict controls 
are justified to countries that challenge them.” (M AF et al., 2009, p. 13) 
1.4.2  Domestic regulation of risk goods 
 The New Zealand biosecurity system is regulated th rough the Biosecurity Act 
1993 (the Act). Section 22 describes an import heal th standard and requires all 
risk goods entering New Zealand to be managed by on e. MPI is the 
New Zealand government ministry responsible for mai ntaining biosecurity 
standards that effectively manage risks associated with importing risk goods 
and craft into New Zealand (Part 3, Biosecurity Act  1993). We are committed to 
the principles of transparency and evidence-based t echnical justification for all 
phytosanitary measures we impose on importing pathw ays, whether new or 
amended. We periodically review all biosecurity sta ndards and related 
documents so that the legal requirements are clear and so that information is 
consistently presented and as easy as possible to u nderstand. 
2 Biosecurity risks associated with giant river prawn s 
 We analysed the biosecurity risks associated with giant river prawns. Importers 
can safely bring giant river prawns into New Zealan d if we apply measures to 
manage the following hazards. 
a) Covert mortality nodavirus (CMNV) 
b) Decapod iridescent virus 1 (DIV 1)   
Ministry for Primary Industries  RMP: Giant River P rawns ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) • 5 c) Infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosi s virus (IHHNV)  
d) Macrobrachium rosenbergii  nodavirus (MrNV + XSV/WTD)  
e) White spot syndrome virus (WSSV)  
f) Aphanomyces astaci  (water mould)  
g) Angiostrongylus cantonensis   
 
 To read our full analysis of the potential hazards  and their risks, see 
Supplementary Risk Analysis: Freshwater Prawn (Macr obrachium rosenbergii) 
Broodstock from Thailand and Israel . This analysis contains detailed 
assessments of each risk organism and the measures available to manage 
them. 
3 Proposed risk mitigation measures 
3.1  General requirements for all importations of giant rive r prawns 
 The giant river prawns must be adult M. rosenbergii  broodstock. Larval and 
juvenile (post-larval) stages are not permitted. 
 The giant river prawns must be resident in Israel or Thailand since birth, unless 
otherwise approved by MPI.  
 The giant river prawns must be derived from aquacu lture broodstock and on-
grown from larvae and juveniles sourced from aquacu lture.  
 The aquaculture facility must be under aquatic ani mal health supervision 
approved by the competent authority of the exportin g country.  
 The giant river prawns must be held in an MPI-appr oved pre-export isolation 
facility for at least 30 days.  
 During pre-export isolation, the prawns must be co ntinuously held in water that 
has passed through a filter capable of removing sus pended organic material 
and, where necessary, other filtration to ensure th at the UV transmittance of the 
water is within manufacturer’s specifications befor e irradiation; and then been 
treated through commercial UV water treatment units  operating in the spectral 
range of 190–280 nm delivering doses of at least 13 0 mWs/cm 2.  
 At the start of pre-export isolation, a sample of 150 giant river prawns must 
return a negative diagnostic test for the risk orga nisms that are present in the 
exporting country, using MPI-approved methods.  
 All giant river prawns that die during the pre-exp ort isolation period must be 
reported to MPI and may be subjected to testing for  risk organisms identified in 
the 2022 supplementary risk analysis. 
 The prawns must be transported to an MPI-approved transitional facility that 
meets the requirements of the facility standard Ornamental Fish and Marine 
Invertebrates  (MPI-STD-ORNAMARI)  in New Zealand. The prawns must then 
undergo post-arrival quarantine for a period stipul ated by MPI.  
 Any prawns that are found dead on arrival at the t ransitional facility and any 
dead or moribund prawns that are detected during th e quarantine period must 
be reported to MPI and may be subjected to testing for risk organisms identified 
in the 2022 supplementary risk analysis. 6 • RMP: Giant River Prawns ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) Ministry for Primary Industries 
 All prawns may only be given biosecurity clearance  when all of the following 
requirements have been met:  
a) The giant river prawns have been held in post-ar rival quarantine for at least 
30 days, or a period otherwise specified; and 
b) Testing requirements for risk organisms have bee n met. 
3.2  Specific requirements for risk organisms 
 As well as the general requirements, we will requi re the following measures:  
a) For covert mortality nodavirus (CMNV): The expor ting country, zone or 
compartment is free from disease, or the animals te st negative. 
b) For decapod iridescent virus 1 (DIV1): The expor ting country, zone or 
compartment is free from disease, or the animals te st negative. 
c) For infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic nec rosis virus (IHHNV): The 
exporting country, zone or compartment is free from  disease, or the animals 
test negative. 
d) For Macrobrachium rosenbergii  nodavirus (MrNV + XSV/WTD): The 
exporting country, zone or compartment is free from  disease, or the animals 
test negative. 
e) For white spot syndrome virus (WSSV): The export ing country, zone or 
compartment is free from disease, or the animals te st negative.  
f) For Aphanomyces astaci  (water mould) (Saprolegniales): The exporting 
country, zone or compartment is free from disease, or the animals test 
negative. 
4 Rationale for the proposed measures 
4.1  General requirements for all importations of giant rive r prawns 
 The general requirements ensure that the prawns ar e the correct commodity: 
they are the adult animals of the correct species a nd come from the countries 
that were covered by the 2022 supplementary risk an alysis. 
 The giant river prawns must be from aquaculture, a s this aligns with the risk 
organisms covered in the 2022 supplementary risk an alysis. 
 The general requirements include strict pre-export  isolation and post-arrival 
quarantine measures, which greatly reduce the poten tial for introduction of 
diseases. 
 A pre-export and post-arrival quarantine period of  at least 30 days is enough 
time for diseases to be detected through inspection  and testing. We may require 
longer than 30 days in a testing protocol for a spe cific risk organism. 
 The water in the pre-export isolation must be trea ted on entry. The water 
treatment measures are from Import Health Standard for Ornamental Fish and 
Marine Invertebrates  (ORNAMARI.ALL) and mitigate the risks from the ris k 
organisms associated with prawns from Thailand and Israel.   
Ministry for Primary Industries  RMP: Giant River P rawns ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) • 7 4.2  Specific requirements for risk organisms 
4.2.1  Covert mortality nodavirus (CMNV) 
 The following risk management options are from the  2022 SRA: 
 Country freedom from CMNV; or 
 Testing broodstock in pre-export isolation and the  post-entry transitional 
facility. A negative result for CMNV using an MPI-a pproved RT-PCR test 
following MPI-approved subsampling procedures. 
 CMNV infection is not a WOAH-listed disease.  
 CMNV infection is endemic in giant river prawns in  Thailand.  
 Israeli aquaculture operates under a strict active  and passive surveillance 
system for aquatic animal diseases. There are no re ports from Israel of CMNV 
in their aquaculture system. 
 MPI may recognise zone or compartment freedom from  CMNV by assessing 
the systems and aquaculture facility of the exporti ng country. 
 The measures we are proposing are: 
a) Giant river prawns must be sourced from a countr y, zone, or compartment 
free from infection with CMNV; or 
b) Before export and on arrival in New Zealand, gia nt river prawns from an 
MPI-approved country, zone or compartment must be t ested, with negative 
results for CMNV, using an MPI-approved test. 
4.2.2  Decapod iridescent virus 1 (DIV1) 
 The following risk management options are from the  2022 SRA : 
a) Country freedom from DIV1; or 
b) Testing broodstock in pre-export isolation and t he post-entry transitional 
facility. A negative result for DIV1 using an MPI-a pproved RT-PCR test or a 
nested PCR test following MPI-approved subsampling procedures.  
 The 2022 Code  recommendations are: 
Importation of aquatic animals or aquatic animal pr oducts from a country, 
zone or compartment declared free from infection wi th DIV1 
The Competent Authority of the importing country sh ould require that the 
consignment be accompanied by an international aqua tic animal health 
certificate issued by the Competent Authority of th e exporting country.  
Importation of aquatic animals for aquaculture from  a country, zone or 
compartment not declared free from infection with D IV1 
a) In the exporting country: 
i) identify potential source populations and evalua te their aquatic animal 
health records; 
ii) test source populations in accordance with Chap ter 1.4. and select a 
founder population (F-0) of aquatic animals with a high health status 
for infection with DIV1. 
b) In the importing country: 8 • RMP: Giant River Prawns ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) Ministry for Primary Industries i) import the F-0 population into a quarantine faci lity; 
ii) test the F-0 population for DIV1 in accordance with Chapter 1.4. to 
determine their suitability as broodstock; 
iii) produce a first generation (F-1) population in  quarantine; 
iv) culture the F-1 population in quarantine for a duration sufficient for, 
and under conditions that are conducive to, the cli nical expression of 
infection with DIV1, and sample and test for DIV1 i n accordance with 
the Aquatic Code and the Aquatic Manual; 
v) if DIV1 is not detected in the F-1 population, i t may be defined as free 
from infection with DIV1 and may be released from q uarantine; 
vi) if DIV1 is detected in the F-1 population, thos e animals should not be 
released from quarantine and should be killed and d isposed of in a 
biosecure manner in accordance with Chapter 4.8. 
 
 DIV1 infection is endemic in giant river prawns in  Thailand. It is not reported 
from Israel.  
 Israeli aquaculture operates under a strict active  and passive surveillance 
system for aquatic animal diseases. Infection with DIV1 is notifiable to the 
WOAH, so the lack of reports from Israeli aquacultu re suggests that DIV1 is not 
present in Israel. 
 MPI may recognise zone or compartment freedom from  DIV1 by assessing the 
aquaculture facility of the exporting country. 
 Testing recommendations from the RA are appropriat e for Israel, as it has a 
highly regulated aquaculture system. Testing recomm endations from the Code  
are appropriate for Thailand, from where there is l ess biosecurity information 
available.  
 The measures we are proposing are: 
a) Giant river prawns must be sourced from a countr y, zone, or compartment 
free from infection with DIV1; or 
b) Before export and on arrival in New Zealand, gia nt river prawns from an 
MPI-approved country, zone or compartment must be t ested, with negative 
results for DIV1 using an MPI-approved test; or 
c) Giant river prawns must be imported according to  the recommendations in 
the Code  chapter for aquatic animals for aquaculture from a  country, zone or 
compartment not declared free from infection with D IV1. 
4.2.3  Infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) 
 The following risk management options are from the  2022 SRA: 
a) Country freedom from IHHNV; or 
b) Testing broodstock in pre-export isolation and p ost-entry transitional facility 
as per WOAH Code  and Manual  and as approved by MPI. 
 The 2022 Code  recommendations are: 
Importation of aquatic animals or aquatic animal pr oducts from a country, 
zone or compartment declared free from infection wi th IHHNV  
Ministry for Primary Industries  RMP: Giant River P rawns ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) • 9 The Competent Authority of the importing country sh ould require that the 
consignment be accompanied by an international aqua tic animal health 
certificate issued by the Competent Authority of th e exporting country.  
Importation of aquatic animals for aquaculture from  a country, zone or 
compartment not declared free from infection with I HHNV 
a) In the exporting country: 
i) identify potential source populations and evalua te their aquatic animal 
health records; 
ii) test source populations in accordance with Chap ter 1.4. and select a 
founder population (F-0) of aquatic animals with a high health status 
for infection with IHHNV. 
b) In the importing country: 
i) import the F-0 population into a quarantine faci lity; 
ii) test the F-0 population for IHHNV in accordance  with Chapter 1.4. to 
determine their suitability as broodstock; 
iii) produce a first generation (F-1) population in  quarantine; 
iv) culture the F-1 population in quarantine for a duration sufficient for, 
and under conditions that are conducive to, the cli nical expression of 
infection with IHHNV, and sample and test for IHHNV  in accordance 
with the Aquatic Code and the Aquatic Manual; 
v) if IHHNV is not detected in the F-1 population, it may be defined as 
free from infection with IHHNV and may be released from quarantine; 
vi) if IHHNV is detected in the F-1 population, tho se animals should not be 
released from quarantine and should be killed and d isposed of in a 
biosecure manner in accordance with Chapter 4.8. 
 
 IHHNV infection is endemic in Thailand and is asso ciated with prawn 
aquaculture there. It has not been reported from Is rael. Israeli aquaculture 
operates under a strict active and passive surveill ance system for aquatic 
animal diseases. Infection with IHHNV is notifiable  to the WOAH, so the lack of 
reports from Israeli aquaculture suggests that IHHN V is not present in Israel.  
 MPI may recognise zone or compartment freedom from  IHHNV by assessing 
the aquaculture facility of the exporting country. 
 Testing broodstock once in pre-export isolation an d once in the post-entry 
transitional facility is appropriate for Israel. 
 Testing recommendations from the Code  are appropriate for Thailand, from 
where there is less biosecurity information availab le. 
 The measures we are proposing are: 
a) Giant river prawns must be sourced from a countr y, zone, or compartment 
free from infection with IHHNV; or 
b) Before export and on arrival in New Zealand, gia nt river prawns from an 
MPI-approved country, zone or compartment must be t ested, with negative 
results for IHHNV using an MPI-approved test; or 
c) Giant river prawns must be imported according to  the recommendations in 
the Code  chapter for aquatic animals for aquaculture from a  country, zone or 
compartment not declared free from infection with I HHNV. 10 • RMP: Giant River Prawns ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) Ministry for Primary Industries 4.2.4  Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) (white tail disease,  WTD) 
 The following risk management options are from the  2022 SRA: 
a) Country freedom from WTD; or 
b) Testing broodstock in pre-export isolation and t he post-entry transitional 
facility as per WOAH Code  and Manual  and as approved by MPI.  
 The 2022 Code  recommendations are: 
Importation of aquatic animals or aquatic animal pr oducts from a country, 
zone or compartment declared free from infection wi th MrNV 
The Competent Authority of the importing country sh ould require that the 
consignment be accompanied by an international aqua tic animal health 
certificate issued by the Competent Authority of th e exporting country.  
 
 Importation of aquatic animals for aquaculture fro m a country, zone or 
compartment not declared free from infection with M rNV 
a) In the exporting country: 
i) identify potential source populations and evalua te their aquatic animal 
health records; 
ii) test source populations in accordance with Chap ter 1.4. and select a 
founder population (F-0) of aquatic animals with a high health status 
for infection with MrNV. 
b) In the importing country: 
i) import the F-0 population into a quarantine faci lity; 
ii) test the F-0 population for MrNV in accordance with Chapter 1.4. to 
determine their suitability as broodstock; 
iii) produce a first generation (F-1) population in  quarantine; 
iv) culture the F-1 population in quarantine for a duration sufficient for, 
and under conditions that are conducive to, the cli nical expression of 
infection with MrNV, and sample and test for MrNV i n accordance with 
the Aquatic Code and the Aquatic Manual; 
v) if MrNV is not detected in the F-1 population, i t may be defined as free 
from infection with MrNV and may be released from q uarantine; 
vi) if MrNV is detected in the F-1 population, those an imals should not be 
released from quarantine and should be killed and d isposed of in a 
biosecure manner in accordance with Chapter 4.8.  
 
 MrNV infection (WTD) is endemic in wild and farmed  giant river prawns in 
Thailand. It is not reported from Israel.  
 Israeli aquaculture operates under a strict active  and passive surveillance 
system for aquatic animal diseases. Infection with MrNV is notifiable to the 
WOAH, so the lack of reports from Israeli aquacultu re suggests that WTD is not 
present in Israel.  
 MPI may recognise zone or compartment freedom from  MrNV by assessing the 
aquaculture facility of the exporting country. 
 Testing broodstock once in pre-export isolation an d once in the post-entry 
transitional facility is appropriate for Israel.  
Ministry for Primary Industries  RMP: Giant River P rawns ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) • 11 
 Testing recommendations from the Code  are appropriate for Thailand, from 
where there is less biosecurity information availab le. 
 The measures we are proposing are: 
a) Giant river prawns must be sourced from a countr y, zone, or compartment 
free from infection with MrNV; or 
b) Before export and on arrival in New Zealand, gia nt river prawns from an 
MPI-approved country, zone or compartment must be t ested, with negative 
results for MrNV using an MPI-approved test; or 
c) Giant river prawns must be imported according to  the recommendations in 
the Code  chapter for aquatic animals for aquaculture from a  country, zone or 
compartment not declared free from infection with M rNV. 
4.2.5  White spot syndrome virus (WSSV)  
 The following risk management options are from the  2022 SRA: 
a) Country freedom from WSSV; or 
b) Testing broodstock in pre-export isolation and t he post-entry transitional 
facility as per WOAH Code  and Manual  and as approved by MPI. 
 The 2022 Code  recommendations are: 
Importation of aquatic animals or aquatic animal pr oducts from a country, 
zone or compartment declared free from infection wi th WSSV 
The Competent Authority of the importing country sh ould require that the 
consignment be accompanied by an international aqua tic animal health 
certificate issued by the Competent Authority of th e exporting country. The 
international aquatic animal health certificate sho uld state that, on the basis of 
the procedures described in Articles 9.8.5., 9.8.6.  or 9.8.7. (as applicable) and 
9.8.8., the place of production of the aquatic anim als or aquatic animal products 
is a country, zone or compartment declared free fro m infection with WSSV. 
 
Importation of aquatic animals for aquaculture from  a country, zone or 
compartment not declared free from infection with W SSV 
a) In the exporting country: 
i) identify potential source populations and evalua te their aquatic animal 
health records; 
ii) test source populations in accordance with Chap ter 1.4. and select a 
founder population (F-0) of aquatic animals with a high health status 
for infection with WSSV. 
b) In the importing country: 
i) import the F-0 population into a quarantine faci lity; 
ii) test the F-0 population for WSSV in accordance with Chapter 1.4. to 
determine their suitability as broodstock; 
iii) produce a first generation (F-1) population in  quarantine; 
iv) culture the F-1 population in quarantine for a duration sufficient for, 
and under conditions that are conducive to, the cli nical expression of 
infection with WSSV, and sample and test for WSSV i n accordance 12 • RMP: Giant River Prawns ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) Ministry for Primary Industries with Chapter 1.4. of the Aquatic Code and Chapter 2 .2.8. of the 
Aquatic Manual; 
v) if WSSV is not detected in the F-1 population, i t may be defined as free 
from infection with WSSV and may be released from q uarantine; 
vi) if WSSV is detected in the F-1 population, those an imals should not be 
released from quarantine and should be killed and d isposed of in a 
biosecure manner in accordance with Chapter 4.8.  
 
 WSSV infection is endemic in Thailand but has not been reported from Israel. 
Israeli aquaculture operates under a strict active and passive surveillance 
system for aquatic animal diseases. Infection with WSSW is notifiable to the 
WOAH, so the lack of reports from Israeli aquacultu re suggests that WSSV is 
not present in Israel. 
 MPI may recognise zone or compartment freedom from  WSSV by assessing 
the aquaculture facility of the exporting country. 
 Testing broodstock once in pre-export isolation an d once in the post-entry 
transitional facility is appropriate for Israel. 
 Testing recommendations from the Code  are appropriate for Thailand, from 
where there is less biosecurity information availab le. 
 The measures we are proposing are: 
a) Giant river prawns must be sourced from a countr y, zone, or compartment 
free from infection with WSSV; or 
b) Before export and on arrival in New Zealand, gia nt river prawns from an 
MPI-approved country, zone or compartment must be t ested, with negative 
results for WSSV using an MPI-approved test; or 
c) Giant river prawns must be imported according to  the recommendations in 
the Code  chapter for aquatic animals for aquaculture from a  country, zone or 
compartment not declared free from infection with W SSV. 
4.2.6  Aphanomyces astaci  (water mould) 
 The following risk management options are from the  2022 SRA: 
a) Country freedom from Aphanomyces astaci ; or 
b) Testing broodstock in pre-export isolation and t he post-entry transitional 
facility as per WOAH Code  and Manual  and as approved by MPI. 
 The 2022 Code  recommendations are: 
Importation of aquatic animals or aquatic animal pr oducts from a country, 
zone or compartment declared free from infection wi th A. astaci 
The Competent Authority of the importing country sh ould require that the 
consignment be accompanied by an international aqua tic animal health 
certificate issued by the Competent Authority of th e exporting country. 
 
Importation of aquatic animals for aquaculture from  a country, zone or 
compartment not declared free from infection with A . astaci 
a) In the exporting country:  
Ministry for Primary Industries  RMP: Giant River P rawns ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) • 13 i) identify potential source populations and evalua te their aquatic animal 
health records; 
ii) test source populations in accordance with Chap ter 1.4. and select a 
founder population (F-0) of aquatic animals with a high health status 
for infection with A. astaci. 
b) In the importing country: 
i) import the F-0 population into a quarantine faci lity; 
ii) test the F-0 population for A. astaci in accord ance with Chapter 1.4. to 
determine their suitability as broodstock; 
iii) produce a first generation (F-1) population in  quarantine; 
iv) culture the F-1 population in quarantine for a duration sufficient for, 
and under conditions that are conducive to, the cli nical expression of 
infection with A. astaci, and sample and test for A . astaci in 
accordance with the Aquatic Code and the Aquatic Ma nual; 
v) if A. astaci is not detected in the F-1 populati on, it may be defined as 
free from infection with A. astaci and may be relea sed from quarantine; 
vi) if A. astaci is detected in the F-1 population, tho se animals should not 
be released from quarantine and should be killed an d disposed of in a 
biosecure manner in accordance with Chapter 4.8.  
 A. astaci  may be present in wild crustaceans in Thailand, wh ere co-culture and 
artisanal aquaculture are common. 
 Israeli aquaculture operates under a strict active  and passive surveillance 
system for aquatic animal diseases. As A. astaci  is a WOAH-listed disease, the 
absence of A. astaci  in current official reports from Israeli aquacultu re suggests 
that A. astaci  is not present in Israel. 
 MPI may recognise zone or compartment freedom from  A. astaci  by assessing 
the aquaculture facility of the exporting country. 
 Testing broodstock once in pre-export isolation an d once in the post-entry 
transitional facility is appropriate for Israel. 
 Testing recommendations from the Code  are appropriate for Thailand, from 
where there is less biosecurity information availab le.  
 The measures we are proposing are: 
a) Giant river prawns must be sourced from a countr y, zone, or compartment 
free from infection with A. astaci ; or 
b) Before export and on arrival in New Zealand, gia nt river prawns from an 
MPI-approved country, zone or compartment must be t ested, with negative 
results for A. astaci  using an MPI-approved test; or 
c) Giant river prawns must be imported according to  the recommendations in 
the Code  chapter for aquatic animals for aquaculture from a  country, zone or 
compartment not declared free from infection with A. astaci . 
4.2.7  Angiostrongylus cantonensis  (Nematoda) 
 The following risk management options are from the  2022 SRA: 
a) Testing broodstock in pre-export isolation and t he post-entry transitional 
facility, using an MPI-approved RT-PCR test followi ng MPI-approved 
subsampling procedures from the M. rosenbergii  shipment. 14 • RMP: Giant River Prawns ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) Ministry for Primary Industries 
 A. cantonensis  is the rat lungworm. It is not an agent of a WOAH- listed disease. 
It is endemic in both Israel and Thailand. Disease transmission to prawns is 
through ingestion of the lungworm larvae passed in rat faeces. 
 Larvae and adults of A. cantonensis  can be identified with PCR analysis, but 
this testing is not available in New Zealand. 
 Our previous standard Import Health Standard for Freshwater Prawns from 
Hawaii  had measures to mitigate A. cantonensis . In that standard, we required 
the water supply for the facility to be treated by filtration (to permit entry of a 
particle size of no greater than 20 µm) and/or ultr aviolet irradiation and/or 
ozonation to a level which can be shown to remove a ll known vectors of 
A. cantonensis . The general measures we are proposing now exceed this 
treatment, and so we will not require any additiona l measures.  
   
Ministry for Primary Industries  RMP: Giant River P rawns ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) • 15 5 References 
1. MAF; MFAT; FSA (2009) Balance in Trade. Ministry  of Agriculture and 
Forestry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ne w Zealand, Food Safety 
Authority; Wellington, New Zealand. 
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/12576-balance-i n-trade  
2. MPI (2006) Import Risk Analysis: Freshwater Praw ns (Macrobrachium 
rosenbergii) from Hawaii. Ministry for Primary Indu stries; Wellington, New 
Zealand. https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/2750-Freshwater -
prawns-Macrobrachium-rosenbergii-from-Hawaii-Import -risk-analysis-
March-2006   
3. MPI (2007) Import Health Standard: Freshwater Pr awns from Hawaii. 
Ministry for Primary Industries; Wellington, New Ze aland. 
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/1980-Freshwater -Prawns-from-
Hawaii-Import-Health-Standard   
4. MPI (2022) Supplementary Risk Analysis: Freshwat er Prawn 
(Macrobrachium rosenbergii) Broodstock from Thailan d and Israel.  
Ministry for Primary Industries; Wellington, New Ze aland. 
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/54154-Supplemen tary-Import-
Risk-Analysis-Freshwater-prawn-Macrobrachium-rosenb ergii-broodstock-
from-Thailand-and-Israel   
5. WOAH Aquatic Animal Health Code. World Organisat ion for Animal 
Health; Paris, France. https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-
do/standards/codes-and-manuals/aquatic-code-online- access/   
6. WOAH Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Anim als. World 
Organisation for Animal Health; Paris, France. 
https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/standards/codes- and-
manuals/aquatic-manual-online-access/