Import Health Standard 
Issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Bovine Germplasm  
BOVIGERM.GEN 
25 August 2021 
 Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
 Final 25 August 2021 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 1 of 20  
TITLE 
Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm 
COMMENCEMENT 
This Import Health Standard comes into force on 25 August 2021  
REVOCATION 
This Import Health Standard revokes and replaces th e following: 
a)  Bovine Embryos from Approved Countries, BOVEMID.GEN , 27 June 2011  
b)  Bovine Semen from Approved Countries, BOVSEMID.GEN,  27 June 2011  
ISSUING AUTHORITY 
This Import Health Standard is issued under section  24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993. 
 
Dated at Wellington, 25 August 2021 
 
 
Stephen Cobb 
Manager, Import and Export Animals 
Ministry for Primary Industries  
(acting under delegated authority of the Director-G eneral) 
 
Contact for further information 
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) 
Agriculture and Investment Services 
Animal Imports 
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140 
 
Email: animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz 
 Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
 Final 25 August 2021 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 2 of 20  
Contents Page  
Introduction 3 
Part 1:  Requirements 5 
1.1  Application 5 
1.2  Incorporation by reference 5 
1.3  Definitions 5 
1.4  Requirements for clearance 5 
1.5  Exporting country systems and certification 6 
1.6  Diagnostic tests, vaccines and treatment 6 
1.7  Semen collection centre requirements 7 
1.8  Donor requirements 7 
1.9  Semen collection, processing, and storage 8 
1.10  Embryo collection, processing and storage 9 
1.11  Transport 10  
1.12  Import permit information 10  
1.13  The documentation that must accompany goods 10  
1.14  Transitional arrangements 11  
Part 2:  Specified Requirements 13  
2.1  Bovine herpes virus 1.1 and 1.2a (infectious bovine  rhinotracheitis/infectious pustular 
vulvovaginitis, IBR/IPV) 13  
2.2  Bovine herpes virus 5 (BHV5) 13  
2.3  Bovine leukaemia virus (Enzootic Bovine Leukosis, E BL) 13  
2.4  Bovine viral diarrhoea virus genotype 2 (BVDV2) 14  
2.5  Foot and mouth disease (FMD) 15  
2.6  Lumpy skin disease (LSD) 15  
2.7  Rift Valley fever virus (RVF) 15  
2.8  Brucella melitensis, and Brucella abortus (bovine brucellosis) 16  
2.9  Brucella suis  16  
2.10  Campylobacter fetus  subspecies venerealis  (Cfv ) (bovine genital campylobacteriosis, 
BGC) 16  
2.11  Coxiella burnetii  (Q-fever) 17  
2.12  Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjoprajitno (leptospirosis) 17  
2.13  Mycobacterium tuberculosis  (bovine tuberculosis) 17  
2.14  Mycoplasma mycoides  subspecies mycoides SC  (contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, 
CBPP) 18  
2.15  Mycoplasma bovis  18  
Schedule 1 – Document History 19  
Schedule 2 – Definitions 20  
 Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
 Final 25 August 2021 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 3 of 20  
Introduction 
This introduction is not part of the Import Health Standard (IHS), but is intended to indicate its gen eral effect. 
Purpose 
This IHS specifies the minimum requirements that mu st be met when importing bovine semen and bovine 
embryos into New Zealand. 
The identified risk organisms associated with bovin e semen and bovine embryos that are managed by this  
IHS are: 
a)  Bovine herpes virus 1.1, 1.2a (semen only) 
b)  Bovine herpes virus 5 (semen only) 
c)  Bovine leukaemia virus (semen only)  
d)  Bovine viral diarrhoea virus type 2 
e)  Foot and mouth disease virus  
f)  Lumpy skin disease virus  
g)  Rift Valley fever virus 
h)  Bovine brucellosis, Brucella abortus, B. melitensis (semen only) 
i)  Brucella suis (semen only) 
j)  Campylobacter fetus  subspecies venerealis ( semen only) 
k)  Coxiella burnetii  
l)  Leptospira  interrogans  serovar hardjoprajitno serovar 
m)  Mycobacterium bovis  
n)  Mycoplasma mycoides  subsp. mycoides   
o)  Mycoplasma bovis  
Background 
The Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) provides the leg al basis for excluding, eradicating and effectively  managing 
pests and unwanted organisms. 
Import health standards issued under the Act set ou t requirements to be met to effectively manage bios ecurity 
risks associated with importing goods. They include  requirements that must be met in the exporting cou ntry, 
during transit, and before biosecurity clearance ca n be given. 
Guidance boxes are included within this IHS for exp lanatory purposes. The guidance included in these b oxes 
is for information only and has no legal effect. 
A guidance document also accompanies this IHS provi ding information on how requirements may be met. 
Who should read this Import Health Standard? 
This IHS should be read by importers of bovine seme n and bovine embryos. 
Why is this important? 
It is the importer’s responsibility to ensure the r equirements 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. Consignme nts that do not comply with the requirements of thi s IHS 
may be re-shipped or destroyed under the Act or tes ted/treated in accordance with this IHS prior to re lease or 
equivalence determined. Importers are liable for al l associated expenses. Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
 Final 25 August 2021 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 4 of 20  
The costs to MPI in performing functions relating t o the importation of bovine semen and bovine embryo s will 
be recovered in accordance with the Act and any reg ulations made under the Act. All costs involved wit h 
documentation, transport, storage and obtaining a b iosecurity clearance must be covered by the importe r or 
agent. 
Equivalence 
A Chief Technical Officer (CTO) may issue a directi on under section 27(1)(d) of the Act that measures 
different from those set out in this IHS may be app lied to effectively manage risks associated with th e 
importation of these goods.  
If an equivalent measure is approved, an import per mit 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 wi ll 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 that the exporting country’s Co mpetent Authority makes equivalence requests. 
Equivalence requests can be lodged with animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz . 
Inspection 
On arrival, all documentation accompanying the cons ignment will be verified by an inspector. The 
consignment may also be subject to inspection. 
Document History 
Refer to Schedule 1. 
Other information 
This is not an exhaustive list of compliance requir ements and it is the importer’s responsibility to b e familiar 
with and comply with all New Zealand laws. 
Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and new organisms 
Importers of new organisms must meet all requiremen ts of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms 
(HSNO) Act 1996. 
Before an inspector can authorise a new organism to  go to a containment facility, the EPA must have gi ven 
approval for importation of that organism into cont ainment in accordance with the HSNO Act.  
See guidance document for inspection and verificati on requirements and for more information about HSNO  
Act requirements.  
Trade Single Window (TSW) and  Customs clearance 
All goods imported into New Zealand need to be clea red by the New Zealand Customs Service (Customs) 
and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). This  is achieved by lodging required documentation in t hrough 
the Trade Single Window (TSW) portal.  
For more information about TSW please visit https://www.customs.govt.nz/business/trade-single-w indow/  Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
 Final 25 August 2021 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 5 of 20  
Part 1:  Requirements 
1.1  Application 
(1)  This IHS applies to all imports of frozen semen and  in vivo  derived embryos from the Bovinae  
subfamily from all countries into New Zealand. 
1.2  Incorporation by reference 
(1)  The following international standards are incorpora ted by reference in this IHS under section 142M of 
the Act:  
a)  The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for 
Terrestrial Animals  (the Manual ), available at the OIE website: Terrestrial Manual Online Access 
- OIE - World Organisation for Animal Health . 
b)  The OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code  (the Code ), available at the OIE Website: Terrestrial 
Code Online Access - OIE - World Organisation for A nimal Health . 
c)  The International Embryo Transfer Society Manual  (the IETS Manual), available at the IETS 
website: http://www.iets.org/ . 
d)  The International Committee for Animal Recording , available at the ICAR website: www.icar.org . 
(2)  The following material is incorporated by reference  in this IHS under section 142M of the Act: 
a)  MPI Approved Diagnostic Tests, Vaccines, Treatments and  Post-arrival Testing Laboratories for 
Animal Import Health Standards, MPI-STD-TVTL .. 
(3)  Under section 142O(3) of the Act it is declared tha t section 142O(1) does not apply. That is, a notice  
under section 142O(2) of the Act is not required to  be published before material that amends or 
replaces the standards, guideline or lists incorpor ated under clauses 1.2(1) and (2) above has legal 
effect as part of this IHS. 
 
Guidance 
• Incorporation by reference means that standards, gu idelines or lists are incorporated into the IHS 
and they form part of the requirements  
 
1.3  Definitions 
(1)  For the purposes of this IHS and the associated gui dance, 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 appl y. 
1.4  Requirements for clearance 
(1)  In order to obtain biosecurity clearance, bovine se men must: 
a)  Meet the requirements of clauses 1.4-1.9 and 1.11 o f Part 1: Requirements , and Part 2: Specified 
Requirements ; and 
b)  Be imported from a country that a CTO is satisfied meets the export country systems and 
certification requirements of clause 1.5; and 
c)  Be accompanied by a veterinary certificate that mee ts the requirements of clause 1.13, has been 
agreed by a CTO, and details the measures in Part 2  that the importing country will meet; and 
d)  Be accompanied by an import permit where required b y clause 1.12. Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
 Final 25 August 2021 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 6 of 20  
(2)  In order to obtain biosecurity clearance, bovine em bryos must: 
a)  Meet the requirements of clauses 1.6, 1.8, and 1.10  -1.11 of Part 1: Requirements , and Part 2: 
Specified Requirements ; and 
b)  Be imported from a country that a CTO is satisfied meets the export country systems and 
certification requirements of clause 1.5; and 
c)  Be accompanied by a veterinary certificate that mee ts the requirements of clause 1.13, has been 
agreed by a CTO, and details the measures in Part 2  that the importing country will meet; and 
d)  Be accompanied by an import permit where required b y clause 1.12. 
1.5  Exporting country systems and certification 
(1)  Importers may import bovine semen and bovine embryo s only if a CTO is satisfied, on the basis of 
evidence, that the veterinary services of the expor ting country are capable of ensuring that bovine 
semen and bovine embryos imported from that country  can meet the requirements of this IHS.  
(2)  The evidence must include details about all of the following, that the CTO considers applicable to the  
bovine semen and bovine embryos from that exporting  country: 
a)  The ability of the exporting country’s Competent Au thority to verify the animal health status of 
bovine semen and bovine embryos in the exporting co untry, zone or compartment, with respect 
to the risk organisms identified in Part 2 .  
b)  The adequacy of the national systems and/or program mes and standards in the exporting 
country for regulatory oversight of the germplasm c ollection. 
c)  The capability of the exporting country’s Competent  Authority to support the issue of veterinary 
certificates as required by this IHS. 
(3)  Importers may not import from a country where a CTO  has determined that the Veterinary Services of 
the exporting country are no longer capable of ensu ring that bovine semen and bovine embryos 
imported from that country can meet the requirement s of this IHS. 
 
Guidance 
• The evidence will be obtained during evaluation of the Veterinary Services of the Competent 
Authority of the exporting country in accordance wi th section 3 of the Code . 
• Once a CTO is satisfied with the exporting country’ s evidence for exporting systems and 
certification, MPI and the Competent Authority may commence negotiation of the country-specific 
veterinary certificate.  
• In order to be satisfied with the evidence provided  an in-country or desk-top audit may be carried 
out at any time, including prior to the first shipm ent of commodity. 
• See Guidance Document  for more information about exporting country syste ms and certification, 
and for a list of currently approved countries a nd country -specific veterinary certificates.  
1.6  Diagnostic tests, vaccines and treatment 
(1)  All pre-export and/or surveillance testing required  by this IHS must be:  
a)  conducted by a laboratory approved by the Competent  Authority of the exporting country; or 
b)  conducted by a laboratory approved by the Competent  Authority of any other country approved to 
export the specified type of germplasm to New Zeala nd. 
(2)  All laboratory samples required by this IHS must be  collected, processed, and stored in accordance 
with the recommendations in the Code  and/or the Manual  or as described in MPI-STD-TVTL . 
(3)  All diagnostic test(s) and vaccines that are requir ed to be used or undertaken by this IHS must be 
those that have been approved by MPI for that purpo se and documented in MPI-STD-TVTL . Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
 Final 25 August 2021 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 7 of 20  
(4)  All products and vaccinations required by this IHS to be administered to meet the specific disease 
requirements in Part 2  must have been administered according to the manufa cturer’s instruction in a 
country that a CTO has agreed meets the requirement s of clause 1.5 of this IHS. 
(5)  All requirements in this IHS for the administration  of a vaccine require that either the final dose of  a 
primary vaccination course is administered or the r ecommended booster to complement the primary 
course is administered.  
 
Guidance 
• See Guidance Document  for more information about tests and vaccination. 
• MPI’s approval process for diagnostic tests, treatm ents and vaccines includes consultation with 
the MPI Animal Health Laboratory (AHL) and the test  must be deemed valid for diagnostic 
purposes in bovines and must be appropriate for sur veillance for the identified risk organism.  
1.7  Semen collection centre requirements 
(1)  Semen collection must be carried out in a semen col lection centre that complies with the 
recommendations for centres in the Code chapter General Hygiene in Semen Collection and 
Processing Centres.  
(2)  The semen collection centre must be: 
a)  approved for export to New Zealand by the Competent  Authority; 
b)  subjected to regular inspection, at least every 12 months, by an Official Veterinarian; 
c)  under the supervision of a semen collection centre veterinarian. 
(3)  Semen donors may be transferred from one approved s emen collection centre to another approved 
centre of equal health status without isolation or testing if the Competent Authority of the exporting  
country ensures that all the following requirements  are met: 
a)  Donors must be examined by the approved semen colle ction centre veterinarian on the day of 
entry into the centre and show no evidence of infec tious disease transmissible in semen.  
b)  Transfer is direct. 
c)  Donors must not come into direct or indirect contac t with animals of lower health status. 
d)  The means of transport must be disinfected before u se.  
1.8  Donor requirements 
(1)  Semen donors must meet the requirements in the Code  chapter Collection and Processing of Bovine, 
Small Ruminant, and Porcine Semen , and any additional requirements in Part 2  of this IHS. 
(2)  During the 28 days in which semen donors are held i n pre-entry isolation prior to entering the semen 
collection centre (as prescribed in the Code ), they must not be used for natural mating and mus t be 
isolated from animals not of equivalent health stat us.  
(3)  Embryo donors must meet the recommendations in the Code  chapter Collection and Processing of In 
Vivo Derived Embryos from Livestock and Equids , and any additional requirements in Part 2 of this  
IHS. 
(4)  Embryo donors must be resident in the embryo collec tion herd for at least 28 days prior to embryo 
collection for export to New Zealand. While residen t with the collection herd, the herd must not be 
subject to veterinary restrictions for the identifi ed risk organisms managed in Part 2 of this IHS.  
(5)  Germplasm donors that were imported to the exportin g country must have lived continuously in 
approved countries for at least the 60 days before germplasm collection. Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
 Final 25 August 2021 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 8 of 20  
(6)  On the day of germplasm collection, the embryo coll ection team veterinarian or semen collection 
centre veterinarian must determine that the donors are free from clinical evidence of infectious 
diseases transmissible in germplasm.  
(7)  Where a specific requirement of this IHS is met by pre-collection testing, the germplasm donors must 
be isolated from other animals not of equivalent te sted health status, from the time of the test sampl e 
collection until completion of germplasm collection  for export to New Zealand.  
(8)  Where a specific requirement of this IHS for a risk  organism is met by monitoring the germplasm 
donors for clinical signs for a specified time afte r collection, the germplasm must be stored for that  
amount of time prior to export.  
 
Guidance 
• See Guidance Document  for the model veterinary certification . 
1.9  Semen collection, processing, and storage 
(1)  Semen collection, processing and storage must compl y with the sections relevant for bovine semen in 
the Code chapter Collection and Processing of Bovine, Small Ruminant , and Porcine Semen, unless 
otherwise stated in Part 2 of this IHS.  
(2)  Where Part 2 requires testing within a certain time  period before or after semen collection: 
a)  Semen collection may be a time period of up to 60 c onsecutive days.  
b)  Samples for testing before collection must be obtai ned within the specified period before the first 
day of the semen collection period. 
c)  Tests required after semen collection must have sam ples collected within the specified period 
after the last day of the semen collection period.  
(3)  A cryogenic or cooling agent used in the freezing p rocess, storage and transport must not have been 
used previously in association with any other produ ct of animal origin.  
(4)  All straws must be sealed, and clearly and permanen tly marked to identify the donor and the date(s) of  
freezing. The markings must conform to internationa l standards of the International Committee for 
Animal Recording (ICAR) . If a code is used for this information, its decip her instructions must 
accompany the consignment. 
(5)  Semen must only be stored and transported with germ plasm that has been collected and processed in 
accordance with the Code .  
(6)  Semen must be held in a storage place approved by t he Competent Authority of the exporting country 
until the time of export.  
(7)  Subject to (8), semen must only be imported into Ne w Zealand if the semen is imported directly from 
the country in which it was collected.  
(8)  If semen is collected in a country that meets the r equirements of 1.5 of this IHS and stored in anothe r 
country that also meets the requirements of 1.5 of this IHS (country of storage), that semen may be 
imported into New Zealand if the consignment is acc ompanied by:  
a)  A declaration from the Competent Authority of the c ountry of storage that:  
i)  identifies the semen from the country of origin as the semen being exported to New 
Zealand; 
ii)  certifies that the semen has been stored and transp orted in the country of storage in 
accordance with the requirements of this IHS.  
b)  Evidence that the semen meets the rest of the requi rements of this IHS in the form of either:  
i)  a veterinary certificate issued by the Competent Au thority of the origin country; or  Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
 Final 25 August 2021 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 9 of 20  
ii)  a letter from the Competent Authority of the origin  country confirming the semen meets the 
requirements of this IHS and indicating which requi rements therein have been fulfilled.   
1.10  Embryo collection, processing and storage 
(1)  Embryos must be collected, washed, processed, store d and traceability maintained under the 
supervision of an embryo collection team veterinari an and in accordance with: 
a)  the recommendations in the OIE Code  chapter on Collection and Processing of In Vivo Derived 
Embryos from Livestock and Equids ; 
b)  the recommendations in the IETS Manual . 
(2)  The embryo collection team must operate in accordan ce with the conditions listed in the OIE Code  
chapter on Collection and Processing of In Vivo Derived Embryo s from Livestock and Equids.   
(3)  At the time of embryo collection each embryo must b e examined over its entire surface at not less than  
50X magnification and found to have an intact zona pellucida and be free of adherent material. 
(4)  Any micro-manipulation that causes a breach of the zona pellucida must be done as per the 
procedures described in the OIE Code  chapter Collection and Processing of Micromanipulated 
Oocytes or Embryos from Livestock and Horses and the IETS Manual .  
(5)  All biological products of animal origin used in th e media and solutions for collection, processing, 
washing or storage of embryos must be free of patho genic organisms including pestiviruses and 
prions. Media and solutions must be sterilised by a pproved methods according to the IETS Manual  and 
handled in a manner that ensures sterility is maint ained.  
(6)  All straws must be sealed, and clearly and permanen tly marked to identify the donor and the date(s) of  
freezing. The markings must conform to internationa l standards of the International Committee for 
Animal Recording (ICAR)  and the IETS Manual . If a code is used for this information, its decip her 
instructions must accompany the consignment. 
(7)  Embryos must only be stored and transported with ge rmplasm that has been collected and processed 
in accordance with the OIE Code .  
(8)  Embryos must only be held in a storage place approv ed by the Competent Authority until the time of 
export.  
(9)  Subject to (10), embryos can only be imported into New Zealand if the embryos are imported directly 
from the country in which they were collected.  
(10)  If embryos are collected in a country that meets th e requirements of 1.5 of this IHS and stored in 
another country that also meets the requirements of  1.5 of this IHS (country of storage), those embryo s 
may be imported into New Zealand if the consignment  is accompanied by:  
a)  A declaration from the Competent Authority of the c ountry of storage that:  
i)  identifies the embryos from the country of origin a s the embryos being exported to New 
Zealand; 
ii)  certifies that the embryos have been stored and tra nsported in the country of storage in 
accordance with the requirements of this IHS.  
b)  Evidence that the embryos meet the rest of the requ irements of this IHS in the form of either:  
i)  a veterinary certificate issued by the Competent Au thority of the origin country; or  
ii)  a letter from the Competent Authority of the origin  country confirming the embryos meet 
the requirements of this IHS and indicating which r equirements therein have been fulfilled.  Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
 Final 25 August 2021 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 10 of 20  
1.11  Transport  
(1)  All transport containers in which germplasm is tran sported to New Zealand must be new or disinfected 
and confirmed empty prior to loading. When a transp ort container is disinfected, the disinfectant, its  
active chemical and the date of disinfection must b e recorded on the veterinary certificate. 
(2)  All transport containers in which semen is transpor ted to New Zealand must be sealed, by either the 
semen collection centre veterinarian or an Official  Veterinarian, using tamper-evident seals that are 
positioned to ensure that no germplasm can be added  after the transport container has been sealed. 
The seal number must be recorded on the veterinary certificate.   
(3)  Where germplasm is transferred from one transport c ontainer to another, the date of transfer, 
approved collection centre/herd or storage facility , reason for transfer, and the name of veterinarian  
involved in the transfer must be recorded on the ve terinary certificate. 
1.12  Import permit information 
(1)  An import permit under section 24D of the Act is re quired prior to the importation of consignments of 
bovine semen and bovine embryos from all countries.  
 
Guidance 
• Completed applications can be submitted to Animal I mports animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz  
• Application forms can be found on the MPI website a t: Permit Application for Importing Semen 
and Embryos, or apply online at the following webli nk when active: 
https://animalplantimportpermit.mpi.govt.nz/  
1.13  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 1.13.1 to 1.13.3 below . 
(2)  All documentation that is required by this clause 1 .13 to accompany bovine semen and bovine 
embryos must be: 
a)  in English or have an English translation that is c lear and legible; 
b)  original. 
(3)  Documentation that is in a paper format must be end orsed on every page by the Official Veterinarian 
with their original stamp, signature and date or be  endorsed in the space allocated and all pages have  
paper based alternative security features. 
(4)  Documentation that is in an electronic format must be transmitted directly from the Competent 
Authority of the exporting country to MPI, using an  electronic system approved by MPI for that 
purpose. 
 
Guidance  
• Copies of all documents that are required to accomp any the goods should be submitted to the 
Biosecurity Inspector at the airport/port of arriva l as early as possible to avoid delays in border 
clearance. The recommended timeframe is at least 3 working days in advance of arrival. 
• A Trade Single Window (TSW) lodgement is required t o meet both MPI and Customs 
requirements. For more information about TSW please  visit: 
https://www.customs.govt.nz/business/trade-single-w indow/  Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
 Final 25 August 2021 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 11 of 20  
1.13.1  Import permit 
(1)  An import permit (copy acceptable) as required by c lause 1.12. 
1.13.2  Veterinary certificate 
(1)  A veterinary certificate from the exporting country ’s Competent Authority. The veterinary certificate 
must include the following: 
a)  A unique consignment identifier 
b)  Species, donor identification, quantity (of semen/e mbryos) 
c)  Dates of collection 
d)  For semen, the name and address of the approved sem en collection centre, name of the centre’s 
veterinarian, and date of donor entry 
e)  For embryos, confirmation of the Competent Authorit y’s approval of the embryo collection team, 
name of the team’s veterinarian, and date of entry into and address of the embryo collection 
herd/centre 
f)  Name and address of the importer (consignee) and ex porter (consignor) 
g)  Transport container number seal number and disinfec tion information 
h)  Name, signature and contact details of the Official  Veterinarian 
i)  A list of all vaccines administered to meet specifi c disease import requirements, including vaccine 
name, the virus types and strains included in the v accine (where applicable), and vaccination 
date(s) 
j)  Certification and endorsement by the Official Veter inarian that the relevant general requirements 
outlined in Part 1 of this IHS have been met 
k)  Certification and endorsement by the Official Veter inarian that the relevant specified 
requirements outlined in Part 2 of this IHS have be en met. 
 
Guidance 
• Where equivalent measures have been negotiated and agreed with MPI, and a CTO has, prior to 
import, issued a direction under section 27(1)(d) o f the Act that is different from those in this 
standard in the form of a negotiated veterinary cer tificate, a country-specific veterinary certificate  
must accompany the consignment. 
• See Guidance Document  for more information about equivalence and country -specific veterinary 
certificates.  
1.13.3  Laboratory reports 
(1)  Subject to (3), original laboratory reports; copies  of laboratory reports endorsed by the Official 
Veterinarian; or a tabulated summary of laboratory results endorsed by the Official Veterinarian must 
be provided as evidence of all tests required by Pa rt 2 of this IHS.  
(2)  Laboratory reports or a tabulated summary must incl ude:  
a)  Unique identification for each animal, consistent w ith the veterinary certificate  
b)  Dates of sample collection or vaccination 
c)  Test/vaccination type 
d)  Test result. 
(3)  Notwithstanding (1), a CTO may determine that labor atory reports are not required as part of the 
exporting country’s certification process (clause 1 .5 of this IHS).  
1.14  Transitional arrangements 
(1)  From 25 August 2021 to 25 April 2022, the requireme nts of this import standard for importing bovine 
embryos may be met by complying with the requiremen ts of the Import Health Standard for Bovine Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
 Final 25 August 2021 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 12 of 20  
Embryos from Approved Countries, BOVEMID.GEN  in force immediately before the revocation of the 
Import Health Standard for Bovine Embryos from Appr oved Countries, BOVEMID.GEN .  
(2)  From 25 August 2021 to 25 April 2022, the requireme nts of this import standard for importing bovine 
semen may be met by complying with the requirements  of the Import Health Standard for Bovine 
Semen from Approved Countries, BOVSEMID.GEN  in force immediately before the revocation of the 
Import Health Standard for Bovine Semen from Approv ed Countries, BOVSEMID.GEN .  
 Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
 Final 25 August 2021 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 13 of 20  
Part 2:  Specified Requirements  
2.1  Bovine herpes virus 1.1 and 1.2a (infectious bovine  
rhinotracheitis/infectious pustular vulvovaginitis,  IBR/IPV) 
(1)  At the time of collection of semen for export to Ne w Zealand, the exporting country must be free from 
BHV 1.1 and BHV 1.2a in accordance with the OIE Code ; or 
(2)  The semen collection centre must be maintained free  from BHV 1.1 and 1.2a from commencement 
until conclusion of semen collection for export to New Zealand, through compliance with the 
recommendations in the OIE Code  in relation to BHV, with the following modificatio ns: 
a)  Test all cattle prior to pre-entry isolation for an tibodies using a test listed in MPI-STD-TVTL , with 
negative results;   
b)  Test all cattle in pre-entry isolation for antibodi es using a test listed in MPI-STD-TVTL , with 
negative results, or where an animal in a group has  tested positive re-testing the remaining 
animals, with negative results, not less than 21 da ys after removal of the positive animal;  
c)  Thereafter, annually re-test all cattle for antibod ies using a test listed in MPI-STD-TVTL , with 
negative results; or 
(3)  The semen donor must be:  
a)  held in isolation for the 30 days following collect ion;  
b)  tested for BHV 1.1 and 1.2a using a test listed in MPI-STD-TVTL  at least 21 days after semen 
collection for export to New Zealand, with negative  results; or 
(4)  An aliquot of semen from each semen collection for export to New Zealand must be tested for BHV 1.1 
and 1.2a using a test listed in MPI-STD-TVTL , with negative results. 
 
Guidance 
• There are no import requirements for embryos.  
2.2  Bovine herpes virus 5 (BHV5) 
(1)  The semen donor’s centres of residence must have ha d no cases of BHV5 (suspected or diagnosed) 
in the year prior to collection for export to New Z ealand.    
 
Guidance 
• There are no import requir ements for embryos.  
2.3  Bovine leukaemia virus (Enzootic Bovine Leukosis, E BL) 
(1)  At the time of semen collection for export to New Z ealand, the exporting country must be recognised 
by a CTO as free from EBL; or 
(2)  The semen donor must be resident at the time of sem en collection in a herd certified as free from EBL 
by the Competent Authority; and 
a)  If less than two years of age, the semen donor must  come from a ‘uterine dam’ that has been 
subjected to serological test listed in MPI-STD-TVTL ; or 
b)  The semen donor must originate from a herd certifie d as free by the Competent Authority; or 
c)  The semen donor must be subjected to a test listed in MPI-STD-TVTL  for EBL, with negative 
results, between 30 days before and 30 days after c ollection of the semen; or Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
 Final 25 August 2021 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 14 of 20  
(3)  The semen donor must be subjected to a test listed in MPI-STD-TVTL  for EBL on two occasions with 
negative results, the first test being carried out at least 30 days before and the second test at leas t 90 
days after collection of the semen; or   
(4)  The semen donor must be subjected to a test listed in MPI-STD-TVTL  for EBL, with negative results, 
between 30 days before and 30 days after collection  of the semen; and 
a)  the semen donor must pass a breeding soundness exam , including manual rectal palpation or 
visible observation with rectal ultrasound of the s eminal vesicles, conducted on the day of 
collection by a collection centre veterinarian; or 
(5)  An aliquot of semen from each collection for export  to New Zealand must be tested for BLV using a 
test listed in MPI-STD-TVTL , with negative results.   
 
Guidance 
• There are no import requirements for e mbryos.  
2.4  Bovine viral diarrhoea virus genotype 2 (BVDV2)  
(1)  At the time of germplasm collection for export to N ew Zealand, the exporting country must be 
recognised by a CTO as free from BVDV2; or 
(2)  Semen: 
a)  The semen collection centre must be maintained free  from BVDV2 from commencement until 
conclusion of semen collection for export to New Ze aland, in accordance with the 
recommendations in the OIE Code  in relation to BVDV, with the following modificati ons:   
i)  Test all cattle within 30 days prior to pre-entry i solation using a test listed in MPI-STD-
TVTL  
ii)  Test all cattle after 21 days isolation using a tes t listed in MPI-STD-TVTL  
iii)  If any animal seroconverts, keep all animals in pre -entry isolation until there is no more 
seroconversion for 3 weeks  
iv)  Only approve entry for groups where pre-entry isola tion results indicate the absence of 
antigen-positive cattle   
v)  Annually re-test seronegative cattle using a test l isted in MPI-STD-TVTL   
vi)  For seropositive donors, test semen for BVDV2 using  a test listed in MPI-STD-TVTL  with 
negative results, prior to collection for export to  New Zealand; or 
b)  An aliquot of semen from each semen collection for export to New Zealand must be tested for 
BVDV2 using a test listed in MPI-STD-TVTL , with negative results. 
(3)  Embryos: 
a)  A sample of the unfiltered collection fluid or an e mbryo from the collection for export to New 
Zealand must be tested for BVDV2 in accordance with  MPI-STD-TVTL  with negative results; or  
b)  The embryo donor must be tested for persistent BVDV 2 infection using a test listed in MPI-STD-
TVTL , with negative results; and the 
i)  semen used to produce the embryo must satisfy the r equirements of this IHS  
ii)  embryo donor must not have been vaccinated against BVDV2 in the last 30 days  
iii)  embryo donor must be tested for acute BVDV2 infecti on in accordance with MPI-STD-
TVTL,  with negative results, in one of the following way s:  
1)  using the antigen capture ELISA test immediately pr ior to an isolation period of at 
least 21 days before collection for New Zealand. Is olation must exclude cattle that 
were not tested negative for BVDV2 upon entry to th e collection herd, and 
throughout isolation the herd showed no clinical si gns consistent with BVDV2; or  
2)  using the virus isolation test within 48 hours of c ollection for New Zealand; or Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
 Final 25 August 2021 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 15 of 20  
3)  serologically tested between 2 weeks and 6 months a fter collection.    
2.5  Foot and mouth disease (FMD)  
(1)  Semen: 
a)  The donor must be resident for at least the 3 month s before the semen collection in a country or 
zone that is free from FMD without vaccination in a ccordance with the OIE Code ; or 
b)  The herd of origin, semen collection centre, donor animal and semen for export to New Zealand 
must comply with OIE Code  recommendations for export of bovine semen from co untries or 
zones presenting a risk of FMD; and  
i)  Each semen collection, processing and storage facil ity in the exporting country intended to 
be used during the preparation of an export consign ment to New Zealand must be 
approved by a CTO.  
(2)  Embryos: 
a)  The donor must be resident for at least the 3 month s before embryo collection in a country or 
zone that is free from FMD without vaccination in a ccordance with the OIE Code ; or  
b)  The herd of origin, the embryo collection herd wher e the donors were resident during embryo 
collection, the donor animal and the embryos for ex port to New Zealand must comply with the 
OIE Code  FMD Article Recommendations for the Importation of In Vivo Deri ved Embryos of 
Cattle ; and 
i)  Each embryo collection, processing and storage faci lity in the exporting country, intended 
to be used during the preparation of an export cons ignment to New Zealand, must be 
approved by a CTO.  
 
Guidance 
• The approval will be dependent on the establishment , its location and operating standards, and 
that the verification systems of the veterinary aut hority achieve a very high level of risk 
management for FMD. The process for MPI approval ma y include site inspection. MPI reserves 
the right to supervise collection or require any ot her measures deemed necessary to ensure 
compliance with facility and operating standards up on which the approval is based.  
2.6  Lumpy skin disease (LSD)  
(1)  The germplasm donor must be resident for 6 months p rior to germplasm collection in a country or zone 
that is free of LSD as defined by the OIE Code ; or 
(2)  The germplasm donor must be resident in an establis hment that was free of clinical evidence of LSD 
during a period from at least 6 months prior to com mencement, until 28 days after conclusion of 
germplasm collection for export to New Zealand; or 
(3)  An aliquot of semen or a sample of embryos/oocytes,  collection fluids and/or washing fluids from each 
germplasm collection for export to New Zealand must  be tested for LSD using a test listed in MPI-STD-
TVTL  with negative results. 
2.7  Rift Valley fever virus (RVF)  
(1)  The donor must be resident, for at least the 30 day s prior to, and during germplasm collection for 
export to New Zealand in a country or zone that is free from RVF in accordance with the OIE Code ; or 
(2)  The donor must not show any clinical signs of RVF w ithin the period from 14 days prior to and 14 days 
following germplasm collection; and either  Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
 Final 25 August 2021 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 16 of 20  
a)  the donor must be vaccinated against RVF in accorda nce with MPI-STD-TVTL  at least 14 days 
prior to collection; or 
b)  the donor must be demonstrated to be seropositive o n the day of collection using a test listed in 
MPI-STD-TVTL ; or 
c)  testing of paired samples using a test listed in MPI-STD-TVTL  must demonstrate that 
seroconversion did not occur between germplasm coll ection and 14 days after.  
2.8  Brucella melitensis, and Brucella abortus (bovine brucellosis) 
(1)  The semen donor must be kept since birth in a count ry or zone that is free from Brucella in accordance 
with the OIE Code ; or 
(2)  The semen collection centre must be maintained free  from Brucella from commencement until 
conclusion of semen collection for export to New Ze aland, through compliance with the 
recommendations in the OIE Code  in relation to Brucella , with the following modifications: 
a)  The donor must be from a country, zone, or herd tha t is free from Brucella in accordance with the 
OIE Code  or the Competent Authority; 
b)  During the 30 days prior to pre-entry isolation, th e donor must be tested using a test listed in 
MPI-STD-TVTL  for Brucella , with negative results; 
c)  All cattle in pre-entry isolation must be tested us ing a test listed in MPI-STD-TVTL  for Brucella , 
with negative results; 
d)  At least annually all cattle resident in the semen collection centre must be tested using a test 
listed in MPI-STD-TVTL  for Brucella , with negative results; or 
(3)  The semen collection centre must be maintained free  from Brucella from commencement until 
conclusion of semen collection for export to New Ze aland, through compliance with the Competent 
Authority’s collection centre testing program in re lation to Brucella . 
 
Guidance 
• There are no import requirements for embryos. 
2.9  Brucella suis  
(1)  The semen donor must be kept since birth in a count ry or zone that is recognised by a CTO as free 
from Brucella suis ; or 
(2)  The semen collection centre must be maintained free  from Brucella suis from commencement until 
conclusion of semen collection for export to New Ze aland, through compliance with the Competent 
Authority’s collection centre testing program in re lation to Brucella suis ; or 
(3)  The donor must be tested using a test listed in MPI-STD-TVTL  for Brucella  suis  between 2 weeks after 
entry into the collection centre and 90 days after collection, with negative results.  
 
Guidance 
• There are no import requirements for embryos. 
2.10  Campylobacter fetus  subspecies venerealis  (Cfv ) (bovine genital 
campylobacteriosis, BGC) 
(1)  At the time of collection for New Zealand, the seme n collection centre must have a programme, 
approved by the Competent Authority or aligned with  the OIE Code , to prevent Cfv  infected animals 
from entering the collection herd, and there must h ave been no case of bovine genital Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
 Final 25 August 2021 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 17 of 20  
campylobacteriosis reported in centre in the 1 year  prior to collection; or 
(2)  A preputial or semen sample from the donor must be tested for Cvf  using a listed in MPI-STD-TVTL in 
the last 6 months, and all tests conducted in the l ast 6 months must have been negative.  
 
Guidance 
• There are no import requirements for embryos.  
2.11  Coxiella burnetii  (Q-fever)  
(1)  The germplasm donor must never have been confirmed positive for Q fever; and either 
a)  The donor must be subjected to a serological test l isted in MPI-STD-TVTL  for Q fever, on a 
sample collected between 21 and 120 days after each  germplasm collection for export to New 
Zealand, with negative results; or 
b)  An aliquot of semen or a sample of embryos/oocytes,  collection fluids and/or washing fluids from 
each germplasm collection for export to New Zealand  must be tested for Q fever using a test 
listed in MPI-STD-TVTL , with negative results; or 
c)  Within the 6-month period before or after germplasm  collection for New Zealand, but before 
export, the embryo collection herd or semen collect ion centre herd must be tested for Q fever, 
using a test listed in MPI-STD-TVTL,  with negative results. The Q fever test must be: 
i)  performed on either the whole herd or a random samp le of at least 60 animals (whichever 
is the lesser number); and  
ii)  the herd must be isolated for the period between se men collection and diagnostic 
sampling. 
2.12  Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjoprajitno (leptospirosis) 
(1)  Antibiotics must be added to germplasm in accordanc e with MPI-STD-TVTL ; or 
(2)  The donor must be serologically tested in accordanc e with MPI-STD-TVTL . 
2.13  Mycobacterium tuberculosis  (bovine tuberculosis) 
(1)  Semen: 
a)  At the time of collection for New Zealand, the seme n collection centre must be:  
i)  free from bovine tuberculosis in accordance with th e OIE Code  or the Competent Authority 
of the exporting country;  
ii)  located in a country or zone that was recognised by  a CTO as free from bovine 
tuberculosis; or 
b)  The semen collection centre must be maintained free  from bovine tuberculosis from 
commencement until conclusion of semen collection f or export to New Zealand, in accordance 
with the recommendations in the OIE Code  in relation to bovine tuberculosis;  
i)  Prior to pre-entry isolation, donors must be from a  herd free from bovine tuberculosis, 
either in accordance with the OIE Code  or the Competent Authority of the exporting 
country; 
ii)  At least annually all resident cattle must be teste d using a test listed in MPI-STD-TVTL  for 
bovine tuberculosis, with negative results. 
(2)  Embryos: Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
 Final 25 August 2021 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 18 of 20  
a)  There must not have been any clinical signs of bovi ne tuberculosis observed in the embryo 
collection herd during the 24 hours prior to embryo  collection for export to New Zealand;  
b)  The donor must be from an embryo collection herd th at was free from bovine tuberculosis at the 
time of collection for export to New Zealand in acc ordance with the OIE Code  or the Competent 
Authority of the exporting country; and the donor m ust be: 
i)  from a country or zone recognised by a CTO as free from bovine tuberculosis; or 
ii)  subjected to a test listed in MPI-STD-TVTL  for bovine tuberculosis during the period 
between 30 days prior to and 12 months after embryo  collection for export to New 
Zealand, with negative results. 
2.14  Mycoplasma mycoides  subspecies mycoides SC  (contagious 
bovine pleuropneumonia, CBPP)  
(1)  The germplasm donor must be born in and have been c ontinuously resident in a country that is 
recognised by a CTO as free from CBPP; or 
(2)  The germplasm donor must: 
a)  never have been vaccinated for CBPP; 
b)  be kept since birth, or for at least the 6 months p rior to commencement until conclusion of 
germplasm collection for export to New Zealand in e stablishments where no case of CBPP has 
been reported, and which are not situated in a CBPP  infected zone, as defined by the OIE Code;  
c)  be serologically tested for CBPP, using a test list ed in MPI-STD-TVTL  on two occasions 21 to 30 
days apart, with the last test within 14 days prior  to germplasm collection for export to New 
Zealand, with negative results. 
2.15  Mycoplasma bovis   
(1)  Semen: 
a)  Collection and processing of the semen must be in a ccordance with the recommendations of the 
OIE Code , with the modifications indicated in MPI-STD-TVTL ; or 
b)  The semen donor must be subjected to a test for M. bovis listed in MPI-STD-TVTL , with negative 
results; or 
c)  Each semen collection for export to New Zealand mus t be tested using a validated test for M. 
bovis  in accordance with MPI-STD-TVTL , with negative results. 
 
(2)  Embryos: 
a)  Collection and processing of the embryos must be in  accordance with the recommendations of 
the OIE Code , with the modifications indicated in MPI-STD-TVTL : or 
b)  The embryo donor must be subjected to a test for M. bovis listed in MPI-STD-TVTL , with 
negative results; or 
c)  Each embryo collection for export to New Zealand mu st be tested using a validated test for M. 
bovis  in accordance with MPI-STD-TVTL , with negative results. 
 Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
 Final 25 August 2021 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 19 of 20  
Schedule 1 – Document History 
Date First Issued  Title  Shortcode  
25 August 2021  Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  BOVIGERM.GEN  
Date of Issued Amendments  Title  Shortcode  
   
 Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
 Final 25 August 2021 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page 20 of 20  
Schedule 2 – Definitions 
Competent Authority 
The Veterinary or other Governmental Authority of a n OIE Member, that has the responsibility and 
competence for ensuring or supervising the implemen tation of animal health and welfare measures, 
international veterinary certification and other st andards and recommendations in the Code  in the whole 
territory. 
Donor  
Female animal from which embryos were collected, or  male animal from which semen was collected.  
Director-General 
The chief executive of the Ministry for Primary Ind ustries. 
Germplasm 
Semen or embryos collected from animals that are el igible for importation under this import health sta ndard. 
IETS 
International Embryo Transfer Society. 
IETS Manual 
Manual for embryo collection, processing and transf er as written by the IETS. Any references to this M anual 
are to the most current version.  
In Vivo  Derived Embryos 
Embryos recovered after fertilisation in the reprod uctive tract of the female donor.  
MPI 
Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand.  
Official Veterinarian 
A veterinarian authorised by the Competent Authorit y of the country to perform certain designated offi cial 
tasks associated with animal health and/or public h ealth and inspections of commodities and, when 
appropriate, to certify in conformity with the prov isions of the OIE Code  Chapter for certification procedures. 
OIE 
The World Organisation for Animal Health. 
The Code 
The OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code as found on the OIE website. 
The Manual  
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Manu al of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial  
Animals. 
Veterinary Certificate 
A certificate, issued in conformity with the provis ions of the Code  Chapter for certification procedures, 
describing the animal health and/or public health r equirements which are fulfilled by the exported 
commodities.