Import Health Standard  
Issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Bovine Germplasm  
BOVIGERM.GEN  
[Document Date]  
 Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
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TITLE  
Import Health Standard : Bovine Germplasm  
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 Bovine Semen, BOVSEMID.GEN, 27 June 2011  
b) Import Health Standard for Bovine Embryos, BOVEMID.GE N, 27 June , 2011  
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  
Animal Imports  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
 
Email: animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz
 
 Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
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Contents  Page 
Introduction 3 
Part 1:  Requirements  6 
1.1 Applicatio n 6 
1.2 Incorporation by reference  6 
1.3 Definitions  6 
1.4 Requirements for clearance  6 
1.5 Exporting country systems and certification  7 
1.6 Diagnostic tests, vaccines and treatment  7 
1.7 Semen collection centre requirements  8 
1.8 Donor requirements  8 
1.9 Semen collection, processing and storage  9 
1.10  Embryo collection, processing and storage  10 
1.11  Transport  11 
1.12  Import permit  information  11 
1.13  The documentation that must accompany goods  11 
Part 2:  Specified Requirements  14 
2.1 Bovine herpes virus 1.1, 1.2a, and 5 (Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis/Infectious Pustular 
Vulvovaginitis, IBR/IPV)  14 
2.2 Bovine leukaemia virus (Enzootic Bovine Leukosis, EBL)  14 
2.3 Bovine viral diarrhoea virus genotype 2 (BVDV2)  15 
2.4 Foot and mouth disease (FMD)  15 
2.5 Lumpy skin disease (LSD)  16 
2.6 Rift Valley fever virus (RVF)  16 
2.7 Brucella suis, Brucella melitensis, and Brucella abortus (bovine brucellosis)  16 
2.8 Campylobacter fetus  subspecies venerealis  (bovine genital campylobacteriosis, BGC)  17 
2.9 Coxiella burnetii  (Q-fever)  17 
2.10  Mycobacterium tuberculosis  (bovine tuberculosis)  17 
2.11  Mycoplasma mycoides  subspecies mycoides SC  (contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, 
CBPP)   18 
2.12  Mycoplasma bovis  18 
Schedule 1 – Document History  20 
Schedule 2 – Definitions  21 
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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  bovine semen and bovine 
embryos  into New Zealand . 
The identified  risk organisms associated with bovine semen and bovine embryos  that are managed by this 
IHS are:  
• Bovine herpes virus  1.1, 1.2a, and 5, IBR/IPV  (semen only)  
• Bovine leukaemia virus, BLV (semen only)  
• Bovine viral diarrhoea virus type 2, BVDV2  
• Foot and mouth disease virus, FMDV  
• Lumpy skin disease virus, LSDV  
• Rift Valley fever virus, RVF  
• Bovine brucellosis, Brucella abor tus, B. melitensis, B. suis  (semen only)  
• Campylobacter fetus  subspecies venerealis  (semen only)  
• Coxiella burnetii , Q fever  
• Mycobacterium bovis , bovine  tuberculosis    
• Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. m ycoides, c ontagious bovine pleuropneumonia, CBPP  
• Mycoplasma bovis  
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.  
A guidance document also accompanies this IHS providing information on how requirements may be met . 
Who should read this Import Health Standard?  
This IHS should be read by  importers of bovine semen and bovine embryos . 
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 releas e or 
equivalence determined. Importers are liable for all associated expenses.  
The costs to MPI in performing functions relating to the importation of bovine semen and bovine embryos  will 
be recovered in accordance with the Act and any regulations made  under the Act. All costs involved with Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
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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 the 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 if 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 tha t the exporting country’s Competent Authority makes equivalence requests. 
Equivalence requests can be lodged with animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz
. 
Inspection 
On arrival, all documentation accompanying the consig nment 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 requirements and it is the importer’s responsibility to be f amiliar 
with and comply with all New Zealand laws . 
Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)  and new organisms  
Importers of new organisms must meet all requirements of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms 
(HSNO) Act 1996.  
Before an inspector can autho rise a new organism to go to a containment facility, the EPA must have given 
approval for importation of that organism into containment in accordance with the HSNO Act.  
See guidance document for inspection and verification requirements and for more inform ation about HSNO 
Act requirements.   
Harmonised System (HS) C odes  
The harmonised system is an international product numbering classification  developed by the World Customs 
Organisation (WCO). The New Zealand harmonised system is found here: http://aria.stats.govt.nz/aria/  
Bovine semen and bovine embryos imported using this IHS will be under one of the following HS Codes:  
HS Code  Commodity Description  
051110 10 Bovine semen  
05119991  Bovine embryos  Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
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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). This is achieved by lodging required documentation in through 
the Trade Si ngle Window (TSW) portal.  
For more information about TSW please visit https://www.customs.govt.nz/business/trade -single- window/  Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
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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 incorporated 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: 
http://www.oie.int/international -
standard -setting/terrestrial -manual/access- online/ . 
b) The OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code  (the Code), available at the OIE Website: 
http://www.oie.int/international -standard -setting/terrestrial -code/access -online/ . 
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 re ference 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 that 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 incorporated under clauses 1.2(1) and (2) above has legal 
effect as part of this IHS . 
 
Guidance  
• Incorporation by reference means that standards, guidelines 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 guidance, 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 ad ditional definitions that apply . 
1.4 Requirements for clearance 
(1) In order to obtain biosecurity clearance, bovine semen  must:  
a) Meet the requirements of clauses 1.5 -1.9 and 1.11 -1.13 of Part 1 : Requirements , and Part 2: 
Specified Requirements ; and 
b) Be imported from a country that the CTO is satisfied meets the export country systems and 
certific ation requirements of clause 1.5 ; and  
c) Be accompanied by a veterinary certificate that meets the requirements of clause 1.13, has been 
agreed by the CTO, and details the measures in Part 2 that the importing country will meet; and  
d) Be accompanied by an import permit where required by clause 1.12 . Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
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(2) In order to obtain biosecurity clearance, bovine embryos  must:  
a) Meet the req uirements of clauses 1.5 -  1.6, 1.8, and 1.10 - 1.13 of Part 1: Requirements , and Part 
2: Specified Requirements ; and  
b) Be imported from a country that the CTO is satisfied meets the export country systems and 
certification requirements of clause 1.5 ; and  
c) Be accompanied by a veterinary certificate that meets the requirements of clause 1.13, has been 
agreed by the CTO, and details the measures in Part 2 that the importing country will meet; and  
d) Be accompanied by an import permit where required by clause 1.12 . 
1.5 Exporting country systems and certification 
(1) Importers may import bovine semen and bovine embryos  only if a CTO is satisfied, on the basis of 
evidence, that the veterinary s ervices of the exporting 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 Authority to verify the animal health status of bovine semen and bovine embryos  in the exporting country, zone or compartment, with respect 
to the risk organisms identified in Part 2: Specified Requirements .  
b) The adequacy of the national systems and/or programmes and standards in the exporting country for regulatory oversight of the germplasm collection.  
c) The capability of the exporting country’s Competent Authority to support the issue of vet erinary 
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 ensuring that bovine semen and bovine embryos  
imported from that country can meet the requirements 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 with section 3 of the Code . 
• Once the 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 pr ovided an in -country or desk -top audit may be carried 
out at any time, including prior to the first shipment of commodity.  
• See G uidance D ocument  for more information about exporting country systems and certification, 
and for a list of currently approved co untries and 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 Zealand.  
(2) All laboratory samples required by this IHS must be collected, processed, and stored in accord ance 
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 required to be used or undertaken by this IHS must be those that have been approved by MPI for that purpose and documented in MPI -STD-TVTL
. Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
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(4) All products and vaccinations required by this IHS to be administered to meet the specific disease 
requirements in Part 2: Specified Requirements must have been administered according to the 
manufacturer’s instruction in a country that the CTO has agreed meets the requirements of clause 1.5.  
(5) All requirements in this IHS for the administration of a vaccin e require that either the final dose of a 
primary vaccination course has been administered or the recommended booster to complement the primary course has been administered.  
(6) Where products required by this IHS have been administered, the product name, man ufacturer, active 
ingredients (where applicable), and the dose and date of the treatment must be recorded on the veterinary certificate.  
(7) Where vaccines required by this IHS have been administered , all vaccine names, whether they are 
inactivated or modifie d live virus, and the virus types and strains included in the vaccine must be 
recorded on the veterinary certificate.  
 
Guidance  
• See Guidance Document  for more information about tests and vaccination.  
1.7 Semen collection centre requirements 
(1) Semen collection must be carried out in a semen collection cen tre 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 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 approved by the Competent Authority.  
(3) The name and approval number of the semen collection cen tre must be recorded on the veterinary 
certificate.  
(4) Semen donors may be transferred from one approved semen collection centre to another approved 
centre of equal health status without isolation or testing if the Competent Authority ensures that all of 
the following requirements are met:  
a) Donors have been examined by the approved semen collection centre veterinarian on the day of 
entry into the centre and show no evidence of infectious disease transmissible in semen .  
b) Transfer is direct . 
c) Donors are protected from insect attack during transit . 
d) Donors do not come into direct or indirect contact with animals of lower health status . 
e) The means of transport is disinfected before use.  
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: Specified 
Requirements of this IHS.  
(2) During the 28 days in which semen donors  are held in pre- entry isolation prior to entering the seme n 
collection centre (as prescribed in the Code ), they must not be used for natural mating and must be 
isolated from animals not of equivalent health status.  Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
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(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: Specified 
Requirements of this IHS.  
(4) Embryo d onors must be resident in the embryo collection herd for at least 28  days prior to embryo 
collection for export to New Zealand.  While resident with the collection herd, the herd must not be 
subject to veterinary restrictions for the identified risk organisms managed in Part 2 of this IHS.  
(5) During the 28 days in which embry o donors are resident with the embryo collection herd, they must be 
isolated from animals not of equivalent health status.  
(6) Germplasm d onors that were imported to the exporting country must have lived continuously in an 
approved  countries  for at least the 60 days  before germplasm collection.  
(7) On the day of germplasm collection, the embryo collection team veterinarian or semen collection 
centre veterinarian must determine that the donor is free from clinical evidence of infectious diseases 
transmissible in ge rmplasm.  
(8) Where a specific requirement of this IHS for a risk organism is met by pre -collection testing, the 
germplasm donors must be isolated from other animals not of equivalent tested health status, from the 
time of the test sample  collection until comp letion of germplasm collection for export.  
(9) Where a specific requirement of this IHS for a risk organism is met by monitoring the germplasm 
donor s for clinical signs for a specified time after collection, the germplasm  must be stored for that 
amount of tim e 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 comply with the sections relevant for bovine semen in the Code chapter  Collection and Processing of Bovine, Small Ruminant, and Porcine Semen . 
(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 consecutive days.  
b) Samples for testing before collection must be obtained within the specified period before the first 
day of the semen collection period.  
c) Tests required after semen collection must have samples collected within the specified period after the last day of the semen collec tion period.  
(3) A cryogenic or cooling agent used in the freezing process, storage and transport must not have been 
used previously in association with any other product of animal origin.  
(4) All straws must be sealed, and clearly and permanently marked to identify the donor and the date(s) of 
freezing.  The markings must conform to international standards of the International Committee for 
Animal Recording (ICAR) . If a code is used for this information, its decipher inst ructions must 
accompany the consignment.  
(5) Semen may only be stored with germplasm that has been collected and processed in accordance with the Code .  
(6) Semen must be held in a storage place approved by the Competent Authority of the exporting country 
until th e time of export.  
(7) Subject to ( 8), semen may only be imported into New Zealand if the semen is imported directly from 
the country in which it was collected.  Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
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(8) If semen is collected in a country that meets the requirements of 1.5 and stored in another countr y 
(exporting country) that meets the requirements of 1.5, that semen may be imported into New Zealand 
if the consignment is accompanied by:  
a) A declaration from the Competent Authority of the exporting country identifying the semen from 
the origin country a s the semen being exported to New Zealand;   
b) A veterinary certificate from the Competent Authority of the exporting country that certifies that 
the semen has been stored and transported in the exporting country in accordance with the 
requirements of this I HS;  
c) Evidence that the semen was collected, processed, and stored in the origin country in 
accordance with the requirements of this IHS in the form of either:  
i) A veterinary certificate issued by the Competent Authority of the origin country certifying that the semen meets the requirements of this IHS; or  
ii) A letter from the Competent Authority of the origin country confirming the semen meets the 
requirements of this IHS and indicating which requirements therein have been fulfilled.   
1.10 Embryo collection, processing and storage 
(1) Embryos must be collected, washed, processed, stored and traceability maintained under the 
supervision of an embryo collection team veterinarian and in accordance with the recommendations in 
the OIE Code  chapter on Collection and Processing of In Vivo Derived Embryos from Livestock and 
Equids . 
(2) The embryo collection team must operate in accordance with the conditions listed in the OIE Code  
chapter on Collection and P rocessing of In V ivo D erived E mbryos  from Livestock and Equids.   
(3) Embryos must be collected, washed, processed, stored  and traceability maintained under conditions 
that comply with the recommendations in the IETS Manual .  
(4) At the time of  embryo collection each embryo must be examined over its entire surface at not less than 
50X m agnification and found to have an intact zona pellucida and be free of adherent material.  
(5) 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 Mi cromanipulated 
Oocytes or Embryos from Livestock and Horses and the IETS Manual .  
(6) All biological products of animal origin used in the media and solutions for collection, processing, 
washing or storage of embryos must be free of pathogenic organisms includ ing pestiviruses and 
prions . Media and solutions must be sterilised by approved methods according to the IETS Manual  and 
handled in a manner that  ensure that sterility i s maintained.  
(7) All straws must be sealed, and clearly and permanently marked to identify the donor and the date(s) of 
freezing.  The markings must conform to international standards of the International Committee for 
Animal Recording (ICAR)  and the IETS Manual . If a code is used for this informatio n, its decipher 
instructions must accompany the consignment.  
(8) Embryos may only be stored with germplasm that has been collected and processed in accordance with the OIE Code .  
(9) Embryos  must  only  be held in a storage place approved by the Competent Authority of the exporting 
country until the time of export.  
(10) Subject to (11), e mbryos can only be imported into New Zealand if the embryos are imported directly 
from the country in which they were coll ected.  
(11) If embryos are collected in a country that meets the requirements of clause 1.5 and stored in another 
approved country (exporting country), those embryos may be imported into New Zealand if the 
consignment is accompanied by:  Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
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Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  11 of 22 
a) A declaration from the Competent Authority of the exporting country identifying the embryos from 
the origin country as the embryos being exported to New Zealand;   
b) A veterinary certificate from the Competent Authority of the exporting country that certifies that the embryos hav e been stored and transported in the exporting country in accordance with the 
requirements of this IHS;  
c) Evidence that the embryos were collected, processed, and stored in the origin country in 
accordance with the requirements of this IHS in the form of ei ther:  
i) A veterinary certificate issued by the Competent Authority of the origin country certifying 
that the embryos meet the requirements of this IHS; or  
ii) A letter from the Competent Authority of the origin country confirming the embryos meet 
the requirements of this IHS and indicating which requirements therein have been fulfilled.   
1.11 Transport  
(1) All transport containers in which germplasm  is transported to New Zealand must be new or disinfected 
and must be free of contamination. When a transport con tainer is disinfected, the disinfectant, its active 
chemical and the date of disinfection must be recorded on the veterinary certificate.  
(2) The container must only be filled with fresh (previously unused) liquid nitrogen.  
(3) All transport containers in which se men is transported 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.   
(4) Where semen is transferred from one transport container to another, the date of transfer, approved collection centre, reason for transfer, and the name of veterinarian involved in t he transfer must be 
recorded on the veterinary certificate.  
1.12 Import permit  information  
(1) An import permit under section 24D of the Act  is required prior to the importation of consignments of 
bovine semen and bovine embryos  from all countries . 
 
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 Application for Importing Semen 
and Embryos  
1.13 The documentation that must accompany goods  
(1) The consignment must arrive in New Zealand with the documentation that is specified in, and m eets 
the requirements of , clauses 1.1 3.1 to 1.13 .3 below.  
(2) All documentation that is required by this clause 1.1 3 to accompany bovine semen and bovine 
embryos  must, unless otherwise stated:  
a) be original ;  
b) accompany the imported goods ; 
c) be in English or have an English transl ation that is clear and legible;  
d) be endorsed 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.  
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Guidance  
• Copies of all documents that are required to accompany the goods should be submitted to the 
Biosecurity Inspector at the airport/port of arrival 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 to meet both MPI and Customs 
requirements. For more information about TSW please visit: 
https://www.customs.govt.nz/business/trade -single -window/  
1.13.1  Import permit  
(1) An import permit (copy acceptable) as required by clause 1.12. 
1.13.2  Veterinary certificate  
(1) A veterinary certificate from the exporting country’s Competent Authority. The veterinary certi ficate 
must include the following:  
a) A unique consignment identifier;  
b) Species, donor identification, quantity ( of semen/embryos);  
c) Dates of collection;  
d) For semen, the name  and address  of the approved semen collection centre, and date of donor 
entry;  
e) For embry os, confirmation of the Competent Authority’s approval of the embryo collection team, 
and date of entry into and address of the embryo collection herd/centre;  
f) Name of the approved veterinarian;  
g) Name and address of the importer (consignee) and exporter (con signor);  
h) Transport container number seal number and disinfection information;  
i) A list of a ll vaccines administered to meet specific disease import requirements, including vaccine 
name, the virus types and strains included in the vaccine (where applicable), and vaccination 
date(s).  
j) Name, signature and contact details of the Official Veterinarian;  
k) Where semen and embryos are transferred from one transport container to another, the date of 
transfer, approved collection centre or storage facility  the germplasm w as transferred at , reason 
for transfer and name of the veterinarian involved in the transfer;  
l) Certification and endorsement by the Official Veterinarian that the relevant general requirements outlined in Part 1 of this IHS have been met; and  
m) Certification and endorsement by the Official Veterinarian that the relevant specified requirements outlined in Part 2 of this IHS have been 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) of the Act that is different from those in this 
standard in the form of a negotiated veterinary certificate, a country -specific veterinary certificate 
must accompany the consignment.  
• See G uidance D ocument  for m ore informati on about equivalence and country -specific veterinary 
certificates.  
1.13.3  Laboratory reports  
(1) Original laboratory reports; copies of laboratory reports endorsed by the Official Veterinarian; or a 
tabulated summary of laboratory results endorsed by the Official Ve terinarian  of all tests required by 
Part 2: Specified Requirements of this IHS  must include:  
a) Unique  identification for each animal, consistent with the veterinary certificate   
b) Dates of sample collection or vaccination  Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
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c) Test/vaccination type  
d) Test result.  
(2) Notwithstanding  (1), if upon reviewing an exporting country’s certification process (clause 1.5) an MPI 
CTO determines that reports are verified by the Official Veterinarian prior to certification, laboratory 
results may not be required.  Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
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Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  14 of 22 
Part 2:  Specified Require ments  
(1) Subject to clause (2), b ovine semen and bov ine embryos  must comply with every OIE Code  
recommendation relating to the risk organisms specified in this Part . 
(2) Bovine semen and bovine embryos  must comply with the following measures for the risk organisms 
specified in this Part.  
2.1 Bovine herpes virus 1. 1, 1.2a, and 5 (Infectious Bovine 
Rhinotracheitis/Infectious Pustular Vulvovaginitis, IBR/IPV)  
(1) At the time of collection of semen for export to New Zealand, the exporting country must be free fro m 
BHV 1.1, BHV 1.2a and BHV5 in accordance with the OIE Code ; or 
(2) The semen collection centre must b e maintained free from BHV 1.1, 1.2a, and 5 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, including:  
a) The centre must:  
i) Test all cattle prior  to pre -entry isolation for antibodies using a test listed in 
MPI-STD-TVTL , with negative results;   
ii) Test all cattle in pre -entry isolation for antibodies, 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 days after removal of the positive animal; and  
iii) Thereafter, annually re -test all donors for antibodies, with negative results; or  
(3) The s emen donor  must  be:  
a) held in isolation for the 30 days following collection ;  
b) tested for BHV 1.1, 1.2a, and 5  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 BHV1.1, 
1.2a, and 5 with a test listed in MPI -STD-TVTL , with negative results.  
Note : there are no import requirements for embryos.  
2.2 Bovine leukaemia virus (Enzootic Bovine Leukosis, EBL)  
(1) The semen donor must be  resident at the time of semen collection in an EBL -free herd in accordance 
with the OIE Code ; and  
a) if less than two years of  age, the semen donor  must come from a serologically negative ‘uterine’ 
dam; or  
b) the semen donor  must be subjected to a test listed in MPI -STD-TVTL  for EBL on blood samples 
on two occasions with neg ative results, the first test being carried out at least 30 days before and 
the second test at least 90 days after collection of the semen; or  
(2) An aliquot of semen from each collection for export to New Zealand must be  tested for BLV with a test 
listed in MPI-STD-TVTL , with negative results.  
Note : there are no import requirements for embryos.  Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
 Draft f or Consultation  [Document Date]  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  15 of 22 
2.3 Bovine viral diarrhoea virus genotype 2 (BVDV2)  
(1) At the time of germplasm collection for export to New Zealand, the exporting country must be 
recognised by the 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 Zealand, through compliance with the 
recommendations in the OIE Code  in relation to BVDV2 , including:   
i) The collection centre must:  
1) Test all cattle within  30 days prior to pre -entry isolation with a test listed in MPI-STD-
TVTL ;  
2) Test all cattle after 21 days isolation with a test listed in MPI-STD-TVTL ; 
3) If any animal seroconverts, keep all animals in pre -entry isolation until there is no 
more seroconversion for 3 weeks;   
4) Only approve entry for groups where pre -entry isolation results indicate the absence 
of antigen- positive cattle;   
5) Thereaf ter, annually re -test seronegative cattle;  
6) For seropositive donors, test semen for BVDV with a test listed in MPI -STD-TVTL  
with negative results, prior to use of that animal as a semen donor; or  
b) An aliquot of semen from each semen collection for export to New Zealand must be  tested for 
BVDV2 with a test listed in MPI-STD-TVTL , with negative results.  
(3) Embryos:  
a) The e mbryo donor must be tested for BVDV2:  
i) between 28 -14 days prior to collection with a test listed in MPI -STD-TVTL ;  
ii) isolated from untested cattle between the test date and embryo collection; or  
b) A pooled sample of embryos/oocyt es, collection fluids and/or washing fluids from each embryo 
collection for export to New Zealand must be  tested for BVDV2 with a test listed in 
MPI-STD-TVTL , with negative results.  
2.4 Foot and mouth disease (FMD)  
(1) Semen:  
a) The d onor must be  resident for at least the 3 months before semen collection in a country or 
zone that is free from FMD without vaccination in accordance with the OIE Code ; or 
b) The herd of origin, semen collection centre, donor animal and semen for export must comply with 
OIE Code  recommendations for export of bovine semen from countries or zones presenting a 
risk of FMD; and  
i) Each semen collection, processing and storage facility in the exporting country intended to 
be used during the preparation of an export consignment to New Zealand must be 
approved by an MPI Chief Technical Officer (CTO).  
(2) Embryos:  
a) The d onor must be  resident for at least the 3 months before embryo collection in a country or 
zone that is free from FMD without vaccina tion in accordance with the OIE Code ; or  
b) The herd of origin, embryo collection herd where the donors were resident during embryo 
collection, donor animal and embryos for export must comply with the OIE Code  FMD Article 
Recommendations for the I mportation of In Vivo D erived E mbryos of C attle; and  Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
 Draft f or Consultation  [Document Date]  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  16 of 22 
i) Each embryo collection, processing and storage facility in the exporting country, intended 
to be used during the preparation of an export consignment to New Zealand, must be 
approved by an MPI CTO.  
 
Guidance  
• The approval will be dependent on the establishment, its location and operating standards, and 
that the verification systems of the veterinary authority achieve a very high level of risk 
management for FMD. The process for MPI approval may include  site inspection. MPI reserves 
the right to supervise collection or require any other measures deemed necessary to ensure 
compliance with facility and operating standards upon which the approval is based.  
2.5 Lumpy skin disease (LSD)  
(1) The germplasm d onor must  be resident for 6 months prior to germplasm collection in a country or zone 
that is free of LSD as defined by the OIE Code ; or 
(2) The germplasm d onor must be  resident in an establishment that was free of clinical evidence of LSD 
during a period from at least  6 months prior to commencement, 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 N ew Zealand must be  tested for LSD with a test listed in MPI-STD-
TVTL  with negative results.  
2.6 Rift Valley fever virus (RVF)  
(1) The d onor must be  resident, for at least the 30 days 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 d onor showed no sign of RVF within the period from 14 days prior to and 14 days following 
germplasm collection; and either  
a) the donor must be  vaccinated against RVF at least 14 days prior to collection; or  
b) the donor  must be  demonstrated to be seropositive on the day of collection with a test listed in 
MPI-STD-TVTL ; or 
c) testing of paired samples with a test listed in MPI-STD-TVTL  must  demonstrate that 
seroconversion did not occur between germplasm collection and 14 days after.  
2.7 Brucella suis, Brucella melitensis, and Brucella abortus (bovine 
brucellosis)  
(1) The s emen d onor must be kept since birth in a country 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 Zealand, through compliance with the 
recommendations in the OIE Code  in relation to Brucella . 
a) The centre must require that:  
i) Prior to pre -entry isolation the donors must be  either fro m a country or zone that is free 
from Brucella in accordance with the OIE Code or must be  from a herd officially free from 
Brucella ; 
ii) During the 30 days prior to pre -entry isolation, donors must be  tested with a test listed in 
MPI-STD-TVTL  for Brucella , with negative results;  Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
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Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  17 of 22 
iii) All cattle in pre -entry isolation must be  tested with a test listed in MPI -STD-TVTL  for 
Brucella , with negative results;  
iv) At least annually all cattle resident in the semen collection centre must be  tested with a 
test listed in MPI-STD-TVTL  for Brucella , with negative results.  
Note : there are no import requir ements for embryos.  
2.8 Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis (bovine genital 
campylobacteriosis, BGC)  
(1) The semen donor must  never have been used for natural service; or  
a) must have only been mated virgin heifers.  
(2) After a minimum of 7 days in pre -entry isolat ion, the semen donor must under go testing for 
Campylobacter fetus  subspecies venerealis  as follows:  
a) Animals less than six months old or kept since that age only in a single sex group prior to pre -
entry isolation must be tested with test listed in MPI -STD-TVTL , once on a preputial specimen, 
with a negative result.  
b) Animals aged six months or older that could have had contact with females prior to pre -entry 
isolation must be tested with an approved tes t three times at weekly intervals on preputial 
specimens, with a negative result in each case.  
c) Annual testing:  
i) A preputial specimen/s from donor bulls and any in- contact animals on semen production 
must be tested with an approved test or culture.  
ii) Bulls re turning to collection after a lay -off of more than six months must be tested not more 
than 30 days prior to resuming production.  
Note: there are no import requirements for embryos.  
2.9 Coxiella burnetii  (Q-fever)  
(1) The germplasm d onor must never have been confirmed positive for Q fever; and either  
a) The d onor must be  subjected to a serological test listed in MPI-STD-TVTL  for Q fever, on a 
sample collected between 21 and 120 days after each germplasm c ollection 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 with 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 h erd or semen collection centre herd must be  tested for Q fever, 
with negative results. This testing must be with a test listed in MPI -STD-TVTL  and must  be 
performed on either the whole herd or a ra ndom sample of at least 60 animals (whichever is the 
lesser number); and  
i) The herd must be  isolated for the period between semen collection and diagnostic 
sampling.  
2.10 Mycobacterium tuberculosis (bovine tuberculosis)  
(1) Semen:  
a) The semen collection centre must be :  Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
 Draft f or Consultation  [Document Date]  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  18 of 22 
i) free from bovine tuberculosis in accordance with the OIE Code ;  
ii) located in a country or zone that has been recognised by the CTO  as free from  bovine 
tuberculosis; or  
b) The semen collection centre must be  maintained free from bovine tuberculosis from 
comme ncement until conclusion of semen collection for export to New Zealand, through 
compliance with the recommendations in the OIE Code  in relation to bovine tuberculosis; and 
i) Prior to pre -entry isolation, donor s must be  from a herd free from bovine tuberculos is, 
either in accordance with the OIE Code  or the competent authority of the exporting 
country;  
ii) During the 30 days prior to entry to the semen collection centre, donors must be  tested 
with a test listed in MPI -STD-TVTL  for bovine tuberculosis, with negative results;  
iii) At least annually all resident cattle were tested with a test listed in MPI-STD-TVTL  for 
bovine tuberculosis, with negative res ults. 
(2) Embryos:  
a) No clinical signs of bovine tuberculosis were observed in the embryo collection herd during the 
24 hours prior to embryo collection for export to New Zealand; and either  
i) The donors must be :  
1) from an embryo collection herd that is free from b ovine tuberculosis in accordance 
with the OIE Code  or the competent authority of the exporting country;  
2) from a country or zone that has been recognised by the CTO  as free from  bovine 
tuberculosis; or  
ii) The donor must be : 
1) from an embryo collection herd that i s free from bovine tuberculosis, either in 
accordance with the OIE Code  or the competent authority of the exporting country;  
2) subjected to a test listed in MPI -STD-TVTL  for bovine tuberculosis durin g the period 
between 30 days prior to and 12 months after embryo collection for export to New Zealand, with negative results.  
2.11 Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides SC  (contagious 
bovine pleuropneumonia, CBPP)  
(1) The germplasm donor must be born in and have been continuously resident in a country that is 
recognised by the 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 prior to commencement until conclusion of 
germplasm collection for export to New Zealand in establishments 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 listed in MPI -STD-TVTL
 on two occasions 21 to 30 
days apart, with the last test within 14 days prior to germplasm collection for e xport to New 
Zealand, with negative results.  
2.12 Mycoplasma bovis  
(1) Collection and processing of germplasm must be in accordance with the recommendations of the OIE Code , except for:  
 Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
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Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  19 of 22 
(2) Semen:  
a) The following antibiotic combination must be used at the specified fi nal dose per mL of extended 
semen:  
i) Gentamicin (500 µg), tylosin (100 µg), lincomycin –spectinomycin (300/600 µg) (GTLS); or  
1) Another MPI approved antibiotic combination, listed in MPI -STD-TVTL ;  
ii) Antibiotics must be prepared and stored as separate stock solutions as described by the 
manufacturer to maintain potency;  
iii) Antibiotics must be added to media/extender on the day of processing;  
iv) The semen must remain in the antibiotic solution at the recommend ed concentration for a 
minimum of 2 hours at no less than 5°C before being frozen in the antibiotic solution; or  
b) Another MPI approved antibiotic combination and protocol, listed in MPI -STD-TVTL , must be 
used.  
(3) Embryos:  
a) The embryos must be  subjected to the protocol described in the IETS Manual : tylosin (200 
µg/mL) incubation at 37°C in the antibiotic treatment for a minimum of 4 hours after being 
washed 10 times; or  
b) The embryos must be subjected to another MPI approved antibiotic combination and protocol, 
listed in MPI-STD-TVTL ; or 
(4) Each germplasm collection for export to New Zealand must be  tested with a validated PCR test for M. 
bovis  listed i n MPI -STD-TVTL , with negative results.  
 Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
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Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  20 of 22 
Schedule  1 – Document History  
Date First Issued  Title Shortcode  
TBA Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  BOVIGERM.GEN  
Date of Issued Amendments  Title Shortcode  
   
 Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
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Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  21 of 22 
Schedule 2 – Definitions  
Approved Veterinarian  
A veterinarian approved by the relevant Competent Authority to collect semen or embryos for export to New 
Zealand.  
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 veterinary certification and other standards 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 Industries.  
Germplasm 
Semen or em bryos collected from animals that are eligible for importation under this import health standard.  
IETS  
International Embryo Transfer Society.  
IETS Manual  
Manual for embryo collection, processing and transfer 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 reproductive tract of the female donor.  
MPI 
Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand.  
Official Veterinarian  
A veterinarian authorised by the Competent Authority of the country to perform certain designated official 
tasks associated with animal health and/or public health and inspections of commodities and, when 
appropriate, to certify in conformity with the provisions of the OIE Code  Chapter fo r 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) Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Te rrestrial 
Animals.  Import Health Standard: Bovine Germplasm  
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Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  22 of 22 
Veterinary Certificate 
A certificate, issued in conformity with the provisions of the Code  Chapter for certification procedures, 
describing the animal health and/or public health requirements which are fulfilled by the exported 
commodities.