. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/NZL/137
30 March 2001
(01-1601)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English
NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEASURES
1. Member to Agreement notifying:  NEW ZEALAND
If applicable, name of local government involved:           
2. Agency responsible:  Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF)
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules
deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where
applicable).  Scoured animal fibre   Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the
extent relevant or practicable:  Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Ne therlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden
4. Title and number of pages of the notified document:  Import health standard for the
importation into New Zealand of scoured animal fibre from specified countries (dated 14
March 2001) (7 pages)
5. Description of content:  This import health standard permits the importation of scoured
animal fibre.  The standard includes the following safeguards:
(a) The fibre was derived from animals resident for at least 3 months in a country or
zone recognised as being free from foot and mouth disease (according to OIE CodeChapter 2.1.1) for the previous 12 months.
(b) The fibre was derived from animals resident for at least 3 months in a country or
zone recognised as being free from sheep pox and goat pox (according to OIE Code
Chapter 2.1.10) for the previous 12 months.
(c) The fibre has been subjected to aqueous scouring at 60-70
oC.
(d) After scouring, the fibre was: EITHER
(i) dyed, OR
(ii) further washed in water for at least 1 minute at a temperature of not less
than 75oC, OR
(iii) dried at a minimum temperature of 70oC for at least 2 minutes.
(e) After scouring, the fibre was processed to remove seeds and plant material by:
EITHER
(i) carding and then combing, OR
(ii) carding using a carding machine incorporating a high pressure crushing
roller, OR
(iii) acid carbonising.G/SPS/N/NZL/137
Page 2
6. Objective and rationale:  [     ] food safety,  [  X ] animal health,  [     ] plant protection,
[    ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [     ] protect territory from
other damage from pests           
7. Nature of the urgent problem(s):  This import health standard has been amended to remove
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France,  Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,
Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden from the country of origin clause following
information received by MAF Biosecurity regard ing the outbreak of f oot and mouth disease
on the European continent linked to the mo vement of animals from the United Kingdom.
New Zealand is temporarily suspending the im port of live animals and animal products from
the European Union. The suspension will be continually reviewed as the foot and mouth
status of EC member States is clarified.
8. An international standard, guideline or recommendation does not exist [     ].
If an international standard, guideline or recommendation exists, give its appropriate
reference and briefly identify deviations:  Higher level of sanitary protection than would
be achieved by measures based on the OIE International Animal Health Code: Mammals,
Birds and Bees.
9. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  None
10. Date of entry into force/period of application (as applicable):  14 March 2001
11. Texts available from/and agency or authority designated to handle comments:
[ X ] National notification authority, [     ] National enquiry point or address, fax
number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:
Mr Keawe Woodmore, Coordinator, New Zeal and SPS Notification Authority, PO Box 2526,
101-103 The Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand.  Tel: +64 4 474 4226.  Fax: +64 4 470 2730.
E-mail: sps@maf.govt.nz
Comments: Barbara Christensen, National Ad viser, International Trade, Biosecurity
Authority, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, PO Box 2526, Wellington, New Zealand.
Tel:  +64 4 498 9807; Fax:  +64 4 474 4227;  E-mail: christensenb@maf.govt.nz