Import Health Standard  
Issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Pig Meat and Pig Meat 
Products from Australia  
MEAPORIC.AUS  
[Document Date]  
 Import Health Standard: Pig Meat and Pig Meat Products  from Australia  
 Draft for Consultation  [Document Date]  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  1 of 11 
TITLE  
Import Health Standard : Pig Meat and Pig Meat Products from Australia  
COMMENCEMENT  
This Import Health Standard  comes into force on  [Effective Date]  
REVOCATION 
This Import Health Standard revokes and replaces the following:  
a) Import Health Standard for the Importation into New Zealand of Pig Meat and Meat Products for 
Human Consumption from Australia, MEAPORIC.AUS, 23 May 2000  
ISSUING AUTHORITY 
This Import Health Standard  is issued under section 24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993.  
 
Dated at Wellington , [Document Date]  
 
 
Stephen Cobb  
Manager , Import and Export Animals  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
(acting under dele gated authority of the Director -General)  
 Contact for further information  
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)  
Agriculture and Investment Services Business Unit  
Animal Imports  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
 
Email: animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz
 
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Contents  Page 
Introduction 3 
Part 1:  Requirements  6 
1.1 Application  6 
1.2 Definitions  6 
1.3 Requirements for clearance  6 
1.4 Third country pig meat products  6 
1.5 Import permit information  7 
1.6 The documentation that must accompany goods  7 
Part 2:  Specified Requirements for Identified Risk Organ isms  8 
2.1 Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus  8 
Schedule 1 – Document History  9 
Sche dule 2 – Definitions  10 
Schedule 3 – Model Official Letter  11 
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Introduction  
This introduction  is not part of the Import Health Standard  (IHS) , but is intended to indicate its general effect.  
Purpose 
This IHS  specifies the minimum requirements that must be met when importing  pig meat and  pig meat 
products from Australia  into New Zealand . 
Background 
The Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) provides the legal basis for excluding, eradicating and effectively managing 
pests and unwanted organisms.  
Import health standards issued under the Act set out requirements to be met to effectively manage biosecurity 
risks associated with importing goods. They include requirements that must be met in the exporting country, 
during transit, and before biosecurity  clearance can be given.  
Guidance boxes are included within this IHS for explanatory purposes. The guidance included in these boxes 
is for information only and has no legal effect.  
Who should read this Import Health Standard?  
This IHS should be read by importers of pig meat and pig meat products from Australia.  
Why is this important? 
It is the importer’s responsibility to ensure the requirements of this IHS are met. Consignments that do not 
comply with the requirements of this IHS may not be cleared for entry into New Zealand and/or further 
information may be sought from importers. Consignments that do not comply with the requirements of this IHS 
may be re- shipped or destroyed under the Act or tested/treated in accordance with this IHS prior to r elease or 
equivalence determined. Importers are liable for all associated expenses.  
The costs to MPI in performing functions relating to the importation of pig meat and pig meat products  will be 
recovered in accordance with the Act and any regulations ma de under the Act. All costs involved with 
documentation, transport, storage and obtaining a biosecurity clearance must be covered by the importer or 
agent.  
Equivalence 
The Chief Technical Officer (CTO) may issue a direction under section 27(1)(d) of th e Act that measures 
different from those set out in this IHS may be applied to effectively manage risks associated  with the 
importation of  these goods.  
If an equivalent measure is approved, an import permit may be issued under section 24D(2) of the Act i f the 
Director -General considers it appropriate to do so. The details of the CTO direction on equivalence will be 
included as notes in the special conditions section of the permit to inform the inspector’s assessment of the commodity.  
MPI’s preference is t hat the exporting country’s Competent Authority makes equivalence requests. 
Equivalence requests can be lodged with animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz
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Inspection 
On arrival, all documentation accompanying the consignment will be verified by an inspector.  
Document History 
Refer to Schedule 1.  
Other information 
This is not an exhaustive list of compliance requirements and it is the importer’s responsibility to be familiar 
with and comply with all New Zealand laws . 
Food Act 2014 and Animal Products Act 1999  
Consignments of food imported for sale into New Zealand for human consumption must comply with relevant 
requirements of the Food Act 2014,  and the Australia N ew Zealand Food Standards Code and the Animal 
Products Act 1999 .  
Importers of food intended for sale for human consumption must be registered with MPI. These requirements 
are independent of the IHS requirements. Importers are advised to consult MPI’s webs ite: 
http://www.mpi.govt.nz/importing  
Import Health Standards  
Other relevant IHSs must also be complied with before biosecurity clearance will be issued. These may 
include but are not limited to the following:  
a) Containers made of timber must meet the requirements of the following : IHS: Wood Packaging 
Material from All Countries  
Harmonised System (HS) C odes  
The harmonised system is an internatio nal product numbering classification  developed by the World Customs 
Organisation (WCO). The New Zealand harmonised system is found here: http://aria.stats.govt.nz/aria/  
Animal products imported using this IHS  will be under one of the following HS Codes . 
 
  HS Code  Commodity Description  
0203  Meat of swine; fresh, chilled or frozen  
0206  Edible offal of bovine animals, swine, sheep, goats, horses, asses, mules or hinnies; fresh, 
chilled or frozen  
0209  Pig fat, free of lean meat, and poultry fat, not rendered or otherwise extracted, fresh chilled 
frozen, salted in brine, dried or smoked  
0210  Meat and edible met offal; salted, in brine, dried or smoked; edible flours and meals of meat 
and meat offal  
1602  Of swine: hams, shoulders and cuts thereof; preserved in airtight cans and jars  Import Health Standard: Pig Meat and Pig Meat Products  from Australia  
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Trade Single Window (TSW)  
All goods imported into New Zealand need to be cleared by the New Zealand Customs Service (Customs) 
and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). T his is achieved by lodging required documentation in through 
the Trade Single Window (TSW) portal.  
For more information about TSW please visit https://www.customs.govt.nz/business/trade -single- window/  Import Health Standard: Pig Meat and Pig Meat Products  from Australia  
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Part 1:  Requirements  
1.1 Application 
(1) This IHS applies to all imports from Australia of pig meat and pig meat products  derived from domestic 
or wild pig s (Sus scrofa ). 
1.2 Definitions  
(1) For the purposes of this IHS , terms used that are defined in the Act have the meanings set out there. 
The Act is available at http://www.legislation.govt.nz/ . 
(2) See Schedule 2 for additional definitions that apply . 
1.3 Requirements for clearance  
(1) In order to obtain biosecurity clearance, pig meat and pig meat products                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
of Australian  or New Zealand origin  must:  
a) Be identifiable as being product originating from Australia  or New Zealand . 
b) Be commercially packed in the original unopened packaging.  
c) Full containers of meat must be seale d. 
d) Edible offal must have been frozen to - 18°C during transport to New Zealand.  
(2) In order to obtain biosecurity clearance, third country pig meat products  must : 
a) Meet the requirements of clause  1.4. 
b) Be commercially manufactured and pack aged .  
c) Meet the requirements of Part 2: Specified Requirements for Identified Risk Organisms . 
d) Be accompanied by an import permit where required by clause 1. 5. 
e) Be accompanied by an official letter  that meets the requirements of clause 1.6.  
 
Guidance  for 1.3(2)  
• Third country canned/retorted pork products and processed products containing less than 5% 
pork from Australia can be imported under the  clauses 2.1 and 2.7.1, respectively, of 
the IHS: Specified Animal Products . 
1.4 Third country pig meat product s 
(1) Where pig meat products  for export to New Zealand originate from a country other than Australia  or 
New Zealand , third country pig meat product s must  have : 
a) Originated in the European Union, United States  of America or Canada.  
b) Met the specified requirements for identified risk organisms  in the IHS for pig meat  and pig meat 
products from the country of origin.  
c) Been imported and released from biosecurity control in  Australia , before export to New Zealand.  
 
Guidance  for 1.4  
• The IHSs for the European Union, United States of America and Canada can be found here:  
− Pig Meat and Pig Meat Products for Human Consumption from the European Union  
− Pig Meat and Pig Meat Products for Human Consumption from Canada and/or the United 
States of America  Import Health Standard: Pig Meat and Pig Meat Products  from Australia  
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• Compliance with clause 1.4 will be verified by the provision of an official letter provided by the 
Competent Authority  of Australia .  
1.5 Import permit  information  
(1) An import permit under section 24D of the Act  is required if , prior to import,  a CTO has issued a 
direction under section 27(1)(d) of the Act approv ing an equivalent measure, different from that set in 
this IHS , that may be ap plied to effectively manage risks . 
 
Guidance  
• Completed applications can be submitted to Animal Imports animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz  
Application forms can be found on the MPI website at: Permit to Import Animal Products  
1.6 The documentation that must accompany goods  
(1) The consignment must arrive in New Zealand with the documentation that is specified in, and meets 
the requirements of, clauses 1. 6.1 to 1. 6.2 below.  
(2) All documentation that is required by this clause to accompany pig meat products  must, unless 
otherwise stated:  
a) Be original.  
b) Accompany the imported goods.  
c) Be in English or have an English tra nslation that is clear and legible.  
d) Be endorsed : 
i) on every page by an Authorised Officer of the Australian Competent Authority  with their 
original stamp, signature and date; or  
ii) in the space allocated , where  all pages have paper -based alternative security f eatures.  
1.6.1 Import permit  
(1) An import permit (copy acceptable) if required by clause  1.5. 
1.6.2 Official letter  
(1) An official letter  from the Australian Competent Authority , if required by clause 1.3 . The official letter  
must include the following:  
a) Product description  and amount of product.  
b) Name and address of exporter (consignor).  
c) Name, signature and contact details of the Authorised Officer for the Australian Competent 
Authority .  
d) Endorsement by an Authorised Officer of the Australian Competent Authority  that the pig meat 
products meet the requirements outlined in Part 1: Requirements  and Part 2: Specified 
Requirements for Identified Risk Organisms  of this IHS . 
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Part 2:  Specified Requirements for Identified Risk Organisms  
(1) Third country pig meat products  must comply with the following measures for identified risk organisms . 
2.1 Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus  
(1) Pig meat products  must be processed prior to importation to New Zealand by either cooking or curing 
as outlined below:  
a) cooking t o achieve one of the following a minimum core temperatur e and time parameters ;  
 
Core t emperature  
(°C) Minimum time  
(minutes)  
56 60 
57 55 
58 50 
59 45 
60 40 
61 35 
62 30 
63 25 
64 22 
65 20 
66 17 
67 15 
68 13 
69 12 
70 11 
 
b) curing to one of the following curing procedures where the product has:  
i) reached a pH equal to or less than 5;  
ii) been fermented (lactic curing) to a pH equal to or less than 6 and age -cured/ripened for at 
least 21 days;  
iii) qualified  for official certification by the Competent Authority as Prosciutto di Parma or has 
been cured for 12 months.   Import Health Standard: Pig Meat and Pig Meat Products  from Australia  
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Schedule  1 – Document History  
Date First Issued  Title Shortcode  
23 May 2000  Import Health Standard: for the Importation into 
New Zealand of Pig Meat and Meat Products for 
Human Consumption from Australia  MEAPORIC.AUS  
Date of Issued Amendments  Title Shortcode  
TBD Import Health Standard: Pig Meat and Pig Meat 
Products from Australia  MEAPORIC .AUS  
 Import Health Standard: Pig Meat and Pig Meat Products  from Australia  
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Schedule 2 – Definitions  
Commercially Manufactured and Packaged  
A product that has been manufactured in a commercial environment by a commercial enterprise and is 
packaged and labelled in sealed containers or in tamper proof packaging and is intended for retail or 
wholesale. This does not incl ude home- made products.  
Competent Authority  
The Veterinary or other Governmental Authority of an OIE Member, that has the responsibility and competence for ensuring or supervising the implementation of animal health and welfare measures, 
international vete rinary certification and other standards and recommendations in the OIE Terrestrial Animal 
Health Code  in the whole territory.  
Director -General  
The chief executive of the Ministry for Primary Industries.  
Meat  
All edible parts of an animal . This includes skeletal muscle meat, blood, offal, fat and bone.  
MPI 
Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand.  
Official Letter  
An assurance , issued by the Australian Competent Authority , describing the pork product that has been 
imported into Australia and released from biosecurity control .  
OIE 
The World Organisation for Animal Health.  
Third Country Pig Meat Products  
As referred to in clause 1.4 of this IHS.  
Released from Biosecurity Control  
Means a product that  has been imported into Australia and given  biosecurity clearance by the Competent 
Authority  of Australia.  The product may or may not be further processed prior to export to New Zealand.    
 
 
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Schedule 3 – Model O fficial Letter  
 
(1) Below is an official letter for proof of origin for trade in  third cou ntry pig meat products  from Australia . 
 
This letter describes the third country pork  product that has been imported by <insert company name and address >, and released 
from biosecurity control in  Australia.  Australian import requirements for the import of pork products from third countries meet New 
Zealand’s biosecurity  requirements . Third  country pork products have been cooked or cured to meet New Zealand’s import 
requirements  for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus . 
The imported component of this product was imported on < insert day month year > and originated from <insert applicable country : 
Canada, European Union or United States of America> . The details of the consignment  are as follows:  
Product description and quantity (kg) :   
Import permit number:   
Establishment number  of Australian facility  (if applicable):  
Process dates (if applicable):  
This product is being exported to New Zealand on container number: _________, departing on < insert day month year >.  
As a representative of the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment, I confirm to the best of my knowledge the above is      
true and correct.  
 
Authorised Officer  
Name:  
Address:  
Email:  
 Signature:  
 Date:  
 
 
 
 
Authorised Officer  signature, 
Official stamp and date