Risk Management Proposal  
 
Ruminant Meat and Ruminant Meat 
Products  
RUMNPROD.GEN  
 
 
  
[Document Date]  
  Risk Management Proposal:  Ruminant Meat and Ruminant Meat Products   [Document Date ] 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 1  
 
Disclaimer  
This risk management proposal does not constitute, and should not be regarded as, legal advice. While every 
effort has been made to ensure the information in this document is accurate, the Ministry for Primary Industries 
does not accept any responsibility or liability whatsoever for any error of fact, omission, interpretation or opinion 
that may be present, however it may have occurred.  
© Crown Copyright -  Ministry for Primary Industries  
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
Contact for further information : 
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)  
Biosecurity New Zealand  
Animal Imports  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6 140 
Email: animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz  
Telephone:  04 890 0134  
   Risk Management Proposal:  Ruminant Meat and Ruminant Meat Products   [Document Date ] 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 2  
Contents  
1 Purpose  3 
2 Background  3 
3 Objective  4 
4 Options assessment  5 
5 Updates  5 
5.1 Issue date to be determined  – new issue  5 
6 General requirements for all importations of ruminant meat and ruminant meat products  5 
6.1 Commodity definition  5 
6.2 Recognition of export systems  6 
6.3 Facility, processing,  and storage requirements  6 
6.4 Other New Zealand legislation requirements  7 
7 Considerations for specific requirements for identified risk organisms  7 
8 Recommendations for identified risk organisms  8 
8.1 Food and mouth disease (FMD) virus  8 
8.2 Bacillus anthracis (anthrax)  10 
8.3 Brucella abortus  and B. melitensis  (brucellosis)  11 
8.4 Salmonella spp. (salmonellosis)  13 
8.5 Echinococcus granulosus (hydatidosis)  13 
8.6 Taenia multiceps (listed as Coenurus cerebralis in IRA)  15 
8.7 Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) prion (for meat and meat products derived from 
Bos taurus and Bos indicus only ) 16 
 
  Risk Management Proposal:  Ruminant Meat and Ruminant Meat Products   [Document Date ] 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 3 1 Purpose  
(1) The purpose of this document is to:  
a) show how options for the management of risk o rganisms for ruminant meat and ruminant meat 
products  have been assessed  
b) provide recommendations for import requirements . 
2 Background  
(1) Import of ruminant meat and ruminant meat products is currently allowed under multiple import health 
standards (IHS):  
a) Beef/Deer/Sheep/Goat Meat and Meat Products from Australia, MEABDSIC.AUS, 23 May 2000   
b) Bovine Meat (Beef) for Human Consumptio n from the European Union, MEABEEIC.EEC, 29 
September 2004   
c) Bovine Meat (Beef) for Human Consumption from Japan, MEABEEIC.JAP, 3 February 2014  
d) Bovine Meat and Meat Products from Canada and the USA, MEABEEIC.NAM, 31 October 2014    
e) Cervine (Deer) Meat for Human Consumption from the European Union, MEADEEIC.EEC, 30 
September 2004  
f) Cervine (Deer) Meat for Human Consumption from New Caledonia, ME ADEEIC.NCA, 13 February 
2003  
g) Cattle Meat Products for Human Consumption from Vanuatu, MEABEEIC.VAN, 17 September 20 04   
h) Sheep and Goat Meat Products for Human Consumption from Chile, MEASAGIC.CHI, 25 May 2000  
i) Sheep and Goat Meat for Human Consumption from the European Union, MEASHGIC.EEC, 4 
October 2004   
j)  Bovine Blood Dried for Human Consumption from Canada and the USA, EDIBLOIC.NAM, 4 November 2014  
k) Frozen Goat/Sheep Runners from Australia, MEARUNIC.AUS, 31 January 2000  
l) New Zealand origin sheep meat/sheep meat products & casings for human consump tion from  
Australia and the Uni ted States, MEASHIC.SPE, 01 May 2007  
m) Products manufactured from New Zealand Origin Venison into New Zealand from the USA, 
MEAVENIC.USA, 26 August 1998  
n) Edible Tallow Products from Australia, EDITALIC.AUS, 20 August 2003  
o) Edible Tallow P roducts from Canada and the United States of America, EDITALIC.ALL, 20 August 
2003  
p) Frozen Goat/Sheep By -products from Canada and the United States of America, INEGSPIC.NAM, 
14 March 2001  
q) Spray dried bovine blood products for further processing  into animal food  from the USA, 
FODBLOIC.USA, 31 October 2014  
r) Frozen Deer By -Products for Further Processing from Australia, INEDEEIC.AUS, 28 January 2000  
s) Frozen Deer By -Products for Further Processing from New Caledonia, INEDEEIC.NCA, 28 January 
2000  
t) Frozen Inedible D eer By -Products for Further Processing from Norway, INEDEEIC.NOR, 28 January 
2000  
u) Inedible Beef Serosa for Further Processing from Australia, INESERIC.AUS, 31 January 200 0 
v) Frozen Sheep Pituitary Glands for Further Processing from Australia (South Australia , Tasmania, 
Victoria and Western Australia South of 26º Latitude South), INESHPIC.AUS, 13 December 2000  
w) Inedible Tallow from Australia, INETALIC.AUS, 12 January 2004  
x) Inedible Tallow from Canada, INETALIC.CAN, 6 June 2003  
y) Inedible Tallow from the United Sta tes of America, INETALIC.USA, 12 January 2004  
z) Deer/Elk Velvet from Approved Countries, DEEVVTIC.ALL, 14 March 2001  
aa) Deer/Elk Velvet from Australia, DEEVVTIC.AUS, 26 June 2001   
(2) The following IHSs include a combination of ruminant products as well as non -ruminant products   Risk Management Proposal:  Ruminant Meat and Ruminant Meat Products   [Document Date ] 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 4 a) Lard and Rendered Fats for Human Consumption from the European Community, MEATALIC.EEC, 
13 October 2004  
b) Lard, Rendered Fats and Oils, and Fish Oil Not for Human Consumption from the European Union, 
INETALIC.EEC, 11 October 2004  
c) Spray -Dried Cattle, Deer, Goat, Pig and Sheep Blood Products for Further Processing into Animal 
Food from Australia, FODBLOIC.AUS, 15 March 2000  
d) Frozen Raw Pet Food (Derived from Cattle, Deer, Goats, Horses, Sheep) for Further Processing from Australia, FODPETI C.AUS, 28 January 2000  
e) Frozen Animal By -Products (Derived from Bovines, Goats, Horses, Pigs, and Sheep) for Further 
Processing from Australia, INEPHPIC.AUS, 28 January 2000 
f) Cattle, Sheep, Goat, Deer, Horse and Pig By -Products Derived from Category 3 Materi al only, for 
Pharmaceutical Use, Technical Use or Petfood from the European Community, INERMLIC.EEC, 11 October 200 4 
g) Sausage Casings for Human Consumption from Australia, MEACASIC.AUS, 31 January 2000  
h) Natural Casings (Porcine/Ovine/Caprine) for Human Consumption from the European Union, 
MEACASIC.EU, 28 June 2012  
(3) Ruminant meat and ruminant meat products  are considered  risk commodit ies, with the potential to harbour 
exotic viral, bacterial , parasitic,  and prion  diseases. In  February 2014  the Ministry for Primary Industries 
(MPI) completed a 
Biosecurity Import Risk Analysis (IRA) for Meat and Meat Products from Ruminants 
and Pigs . In June 2017 , work c ommenced on developing a generic Import H ealth S tandard (IHS) for 
Ruminant Meat and Ruminant Meat P roducts , RUMNPROD.GEN based on that analysis.  
(4) Where  possible, measures for diseases in this Risk Management Proposal  (RMP ) are aligned with the 
measures recommended in the 2019 Terrestrial Animal Health Code  (the Code ), provided they meet New 
Zealand’s appropriate level of protection. Where there are differences, these are justified within this RMP . 
In the case of non -OIE listed diseases, the measures proposed are those considered to effectively meet 
New Zealand’s appropriate level of protection.  
(5) In accordance with MPI processes, the IHS contains generic import requirements. These requirements 
manage the biosecurity risk of im porting ruminant meat and ruminant meat products  from all  countries . 
The generic IHS serves as the basis for country to country (bilateral) negotiations of country -specific 
veterinary certificates. A guidance document will be issued by MPI and this w ill provide commodity specific 
guidance information including samples of country specific bilaterally -agreed veterinary certification for 
trade in  ruminant meat and ruminant meat products.  
(6) MPI will agree  to country -specific veterinary certificates with t he exporting country’s Competent Authority 
once MPI is satisfied with the exporting country’s export systems. Negotiations will take into account the verifiable health status of the exporting country, the national systems, legislation and import standards  in 
the exporting country for regulatory oversight of the  ruminant meat industry , and the capabilities and 
preferences of the exporting country’s Competent Authority. The assessments will be based on the World 
Organisation  for Animal Health Code section 3, Quality of Veterinary Services
. 
(7) The IHSs listed in paragraphs  (1) above will be revok ed, and (2) above will be amended,  once  each  
relevant country -specific veterinary certificate is issued.  
(8) In addition to this IHS, specif ed processed ruminant meat products are eligible for import when they meet 
the requirements of other IHSs , including : 
a) Import Health Standard: Natural Sausage Casings , SAUSCASE.GEN  
b) Import Health Standard: Specified Animal Products , SPECPROD.ALL  
3 Objective  
(1) The objective is to effectively manage biosecurity risks associated with the import of ruminant meat and 
ruminant meat product s, from all countries, through a generic standard that  is consistent with New 
Zealand’s domestic legislation and international o bligation s.  Risk Management Proposal:  Ruminant Meat and Ruminant Meat Products   [Document Date ] 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 5 4 Options assessment  
(1) The World Trade Organi zation’s Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures 
(the SPS Agreement), Article 3.3, requires that risk management measures that  provide a level of 
protection greater than provi ded by international standards may be imposed only when they can be 
scientifically justified on the basis of a risk assessment.  
(2) For a detailed analysis of hazards and their risks please refer to the supporting document, Biosecurity 
Import Risk Analysis (IRA) for Meat and Meat Products from Ruminants and Pigs  which contains the 
relevant risk assessment and an analysis of management options for each risk organism.  
(3) The IRA concluded that risk manageme nt measures were justified for the following hazards in imported 
ruminant meat and ruminant meat products:  
a) Foot and mouth disease  (FMD)  virus  
b) Bacillus anthracis  
c) Brucella  spp.  
d) Salmonella  spp. 
e) Echinococcus granulosus  
f) Taenia multiceps  (Coenurus cerebralis ) 
g) Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) prion 
(4) Surveillance  and risk assessment work on the causative agent of chronic wasting disease  (CWD) in deer 
has been ongoing since the IRA was issued. The most current information available confirms that the 
likelihood of exposure via imported ruminant meat and ruminant meat products remains negligible.  
(5) This document will discuss the options and r ecommendations for risk management measures for ruminant 
meat and ruminant meat products. For a discussion of organisms where no risk management measures are recommended, see the IRA.  
5 Updates  
(1) Updates may either supplement or override previous clauses in th e recommendation sections of this RMP  
or provide further information to relevant commodities . 
5.1 Issue date to be determined  – new issue 
(1) No updates to declare.  
6 General requirements for all importations of ruminant meat 
and ruminant meat products  
6.1 Commodit y definition  
(1) For the purposes of the IHS, ruminants are restricted to sheep, goats, cattle, bison, buffalo, and deer.  
a) Deer includes all species under the family Cervidae . 
(2) The IRA 2014 defined meat as all edible parts of an animal . Fresh meat is defined as meat that has not 
been subjected to any treatment irreversibly modifying its organoleptic and physicochemical 
characteristics. M eat products are defined as  meat that has been subjected to a treatment irreversibly 
modifying its orga noleptic and physicochemical characteristics.  This includes frozen meat, chilled meat, 
minced meat and mechanically recovered meat.   Risk Management Proposal:  Ruminant Meat and Ruminant Meat Products   [Document Date ] 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 6 (3) The IRA n oted that offal is not specifically defined by the OIE. Therefore, unless offal has been specifically 
defined withi n Code  chapters (e.g. the Code  chapter for Infection with Echinococcus granulosus ), offal is 
considered to be meat under the definition in point 2 above.  
(4) For the purposes of the IHS, the commodities eligible for import  are:  
a) fresh meat (chilled or  frozen)  
b) meat products  
c) blood  and blood products  
d) fat and fat  products  
e) offal (including runners)  and 
f) bone  and products  
(5) The IHS does not apply to ruminant meat or ruminant meat products that are imported for the following 
purposes:  
a) fertiliser;  
b) laboratory use;  
c) microbiological testing;  
d) therapeutic use on or in humans; or  
e) veterinary use on or in animals.  
(6) Commodities covered under the IHS must meet  the general requirements in Part 1 and  the disease -
specific requirements in  Part 2 of  the IHS.  
(7) Com posite com modities  that include ruminant meat and meat products will be eligible for import as long as 
all the ingredients in the product meet the requirements of their respective IHS s. 
(8) Trade samples that include ruminant meat and ruminant meat products may be imported into  New 
Zealand. These products are imported in small volumes for product evaluation and are not for sale or re -
distribution. The products must meet certification requirements to mitigate all biosecurity risks but may not meet some packaging and transport req uirements in the IHS. Importers of trade samples that are unable 
to meet all requirements under this IHS can apply for an import permit.  
6.2 Recognition of export systems  
(1) Exporting countries that MPI does not have existing trade arrangements with  will be requ ired to undergo a 
country recognition process.  MPI will assess the exporting country systems in relation to that country’s 
national systems for animal health, export , and certification as described in Part 1 of the IHS. This 
recognition will be based on th e OIE Code  section 3, Quality of Veterinary Services , and as described in 
the MPI document Recognition of Exporting Countries’ Export Controls and Certification Systems for 
Animals and Animal Products . 
(2) To classif y a country as  MPI-recognised  for the purpose of importing ruminant meat and ruminant meat 
product into New Zeala nd under this IHS,  MPI may choose to undertake an in-country assessment as part 
of recogni tion of  an exporting  country ’s systems.   
(3) New Zealand recognises Australia’s  national animal health and  food safety systems. Therefore, veterinary 
certificates will not be required for imports of ruminant meat and ruminant meat product s, produced to  
human consumption  standards,  from Australia .  
6.3 Facility, processing,  and storage requirements 
(1) The slaughterhouse  and processing plant must operate Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Hazard 
Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) programmes to the satisfaction of the Competent Authority.  
(2) The ruminant meat and ruminant  meat products must be derived from ruminan ts slaughtered in a facility 
approved for export by the Competent Authority, and only healthy animals that have passed ante - and 
post-mortem inspection are eligible for entry into the food chain in accordance with the Code  chapter  Risk Management Proposal:  Ruminant Meat and Ruminant Meat Products   [Document Date ] 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 7 Control of Biological Hazards of Animal Health and Public Health Importance Through Ante - and Post -
Mortem Meat Inspection . 
(3) Commercially manufactured  and packaged products for export mu st be stored and subsequently 
transported in a hygienic manner and be kept free of contaminants.  
6.4 Other New Zealand legislation requirements 
(1) The IHS is issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993 and therefore only contains requirements to be met for 
effective management of biosecurity risks associated with the importation of goods into New Zealand. 
Consignments of ruminant meat  and ruminant meat products  imported into New Zealand for human 
consumption must also comply with other New Zealand legislation.  
(2) Animals must be slaughtered in a facility approved for export by the Competent Authority and must meet 
the relevant requirements as set by the Food Act 2014.  
(3) Importers must also meet the requirements set out in the Animal Products Act 1999.  
(4) Tallow intended for inclusion in livestock feed and having insoluble impurities of more than 0.15% in 
weight must be labelled with the following statement in accordance with the Biosecurity (Ruminant Protein) Regulations 1999:   
Notice: Do not feed to sheep, cattle, deer, goats, buffaloes, or other ruminant animals. This product 
contains or may contain ruminant protein.  
The label must : 
a) have text at least 20mm high, or  
b) occupy at least 2.5% of the total are a of: 
i) the outside of a fl attened package, or  
ii) the container (excluding the top and bottom), or  
iii) the printed side of an invoice, waybill or document.  
7 Considerations for specific requirements for identified risk 
organisms  
(1) It should be noted that for some of the identified risk organis ms, additional risk management measures  are 
specified in Part 2 of the IHS and further elaborated in the model veterinary certificate found in the 
guidance document . These measures include  one or more of the general form s: 
a) country, zone,  or compartment freedom  
b) specified thermal treatment(s)  
c) specified curing treatment(s)  
d) vaccination . 
(2) Risk management requirements must be met in the exporting country.  
(3) The requirements in the IHS reflect the options summarised in the IRA , which is based on the 2013 
version of the Code  and updated to the 2019 Code  in this RMP . Where specific Articles of the Code  have 
been referred to in the IRA or RMP, the IHS may not state these as Article numbers may change with 
each Code  review. Instead the Code  is legally incorporated by reference in the IHS and the latest versi on 
of the Code  must be used.   Risk Management Proposal:  Ruminant Meat and Ruminant Meat Products   [Document Date ] 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 8 8 Recommendations for identified risk organisms  
8.1 Food and mouth disease (FMD)  virus  
8.1.1 Risk management options presented in the IRA  
(1) To manage the risk effectively, one or a combination of the following measures could be considered.  
a) Fresh meat of FMD susceptible animals imported from FMD free countries or zones where 
vaccination is not practised should meet Article 8.6.22.  
b) Fresh meat of cattle and buffaloes (excluding feet, head and viscera) imported from FMD free countries or zones where vaccination is practised should meet Article 8.6.23.  
c) Fresh meat or meat products of ruminants other than cattle and buffaloes imported from FMD free 
countries or zones where vaccination is practised should meet Article 8.6.24.  
d) Fresh meat of cattle and buffaloes (excluding feet, head and viscera) imported from FMD infected countries or zones, where an official control programme exists, involving compulsory systematic 
vaccination of cattle should meet the conditions in Article 8.6.25.  
e) Meat products of  domestic ruminants for importation from FMD infected countries or zones should 
meet Article 8.6.26. This includes that the meat is processed in such a way as to ensure the destruction of the virus in conformity with Article 8.6.34  (canning, thorough cooki ng and drying after 
salting). That is fresh meat from these species cannot be traded from infected countries or zones.  In 
this context fresh meat means all edible parts of an animal (apart from head, feet and viscera) that have not been subjected to any tr eatment irreversibly modifying their organoleptic and 
physicochemical characteristics. This includes frozen meat, chilled meat, minced (ground) meat and mechanically recovered (deboned) meat.  
8.1.2 Code  2019 recommendations 
Where a difference exists between the  Code 2019 recommendations , and the Code 2013 
recommendations on which the IRA recommendations were  based, the current Code 2019 
recommendations will be noted  with differences stated in brackets.   
 
Recommendations for importation from FMD free countries or zones where vaccination is not practised  or FMD free compartments  
The Code 2019 recommendations remain unchanged .  
 Recommendations for importation from FMD free countries or zones where vaccination is 
practised  
For fresh meat and meat products of ruminants  
Veterinary Authorities  should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate  attesting that 
the entire consignment of meat  comes from animals which:  
1) have been kept in the FMD free country or zone where vaccination  is practised, or which have been 
imported in accordance with Article 8.8.10. , Article 8.8.11.  or Article 8.8.12. ; 
2) have been slaughtered in an approved slaughterhouse/abattoir  and have been subjected to ante - 
and post -mortem inspections for FMD with favourable results;  
3) for ruminants, the head, including the pharynx, tongue and associated lymph nodes, has been 
excluded from the shipment.  
(Note: Two articles  from the  Code 2013 have been combined into one so it applies to  all ruminants. A lso, 
the requirement that “the head, including pharynx, tongue and associated lymph nodes, has been excluded from the shipment ” has been added.  Restrictions on feet and viscera have been removed. )  Risk Management Proposal:  Ruminant Meat and Ruminant Meat Products   [Document Date ] 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 9 Recommendations for importation from FMD infected countries or zones where an official control 
programme exists  
For fresh meat of cattle and water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) (excluding feet, head and viscera)  
Veterinary Authorities should require the presentation of an international veterinary certificate  attesting that 
the entire consignment of meat : 
1) comes from animals which:  
a. have remained, for at least three months prior to slaughter , in a zone  of th e exporting country  
where cattle and water buffaloes are regularly vaccinated against FMD and where an official control programme  is in operation;  
b. have been vaccinated at least twice with the last vaccination not more than six months, unless 
protective immunity has been demonstrated for more than six months, and not less than one 
month prior to slaughter ;  
c.     were kept for the past 30 days in an establish ment , and that FMD has not occurred within a 10 
kilometre radius of the establishment  during that period, or the establishment  is a quarantine 
station ;  
d. have been transported, in a vehicle  which was cleaned  and disinfected before the cattle and 
water buffaloes were loaded, directly from the establishment  of origin or quarantine station  to 
the approved slaughterhouse/abattoir  without coming into contact with other animals which do 
not fulfil the required conditions for export;  
e. have been slaughtered in an approved slaughterhouse/abattoir : 
i. which is officially designated for export;  
ii. in which no FMD has been detected during the period between the last disinfection  carried 
out before slaughter  and the shipment for export has been dispatched;  
f. have been sub jected to ante-  and post -mortem inspections within 24 hours before and after 
slaughter  with no evidence of FMD;  
2) comes from deboned carcasses:  
a. from which the major lymphatic nodes have been removed;  
b. which, prior to deboning, have been submitted to maturation at a temperature greater than + 
2°C for a minimum period of 24 hours following slaughter  and in which the pH value was less 
than 6.0 when tested in the middle of both the longissimus dorsi muscle.  
(Note: Vaccination timing has been changed from “not more than 12 months prior to slaughter” to “no t 
more  than 6 months ”. Residence in a quarantine station  has also been added.)  
Recommendations for importation from FMD infected countries or zones  
The Code 2019  recommendations remain unchanged . However, there is a broadening of  the scope. The 
recommendations now include meat products of FMD susceptible animals , where the  2013 Code  specified 
domestic ruminants and pigs. Also, water activity (Aw) that is not greater than 0.85 has been added as a definition for “completely dried” r egarding inactivation of FMD  virus in meat and meat products. The 
recommendation to inactivate products originating from FMD infected countries or zones has not changed.  
8.1.3 Discussion  
(1) The changes in the 2019 Code  are not significant and align with the recomm endations in the IRA.    
(2) FMD is an exotic, notifiable and unwanted disease in New Zealand. The risk of FMD entry , exposure and 
establishment  will be managed by MPI’s assessment of the Competent Authority  of the exporting country,  
the associated regulation of animal health of the e xporting country, and the OIE ’s official recognition of the  Risk Management Proposal:  Ruminant Meat and Ruminant Meat Products   [Document Date ] 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 10 FMD status of the country, zone or c ompartment. The ass essment forms a part  of the veterinary  certificate 
negotiation process prior to any trade under  the IHS .  
(3) The decision to allow imports of fresh meat from cattle and water buffaloes from FMD infected countries  or 
zones , when an official programme exists , would only be made in circumstances where New Zealand had 
a pre -agreed zoning agreement with the  exporting  country. This is because of the catastrophic 
consequences an FMD incursion would have on New Zealand’s agricultur e industry.   
(4) Code  2019 recommendation s relating to international trade of fresh meat and meat products ar e based on 
the FMD status of a  country, zone or compartment, and include a combination of the following : 
a) Disease reporting and surveillance, including regulatory measures for prevention an d early detection 
of FMD;  
b) Ante- and post -mortem inspection in a slaughterhouse /abattoir  approved for export;  
c) Maturation of carcass and low temperature carcass storage, resulting in post -slaughter acidification 
of meat that prohibits  the survival of FMD  virus; 
d) Removal of tissues and organs that do not undergo sufficient acidification including feet, head, 
viscera, bones and lymph nodes;  
e) Veterinary certification;  
f) Vaccination using  closely matched strain(s);  
g) Removal of head, including the tongue, pharynx and associated lymph nodes from vaccinated 
animals;  
h) Animal movement control ; 
i) Official control programme  for FMD ; 
j) Inactivation of FMD  virus in meat and meat product s. Options include  canning, thorough cooking and 
drying after salting.  
(5) The Import Health Standard for Natural Sausage Casings , SAUSCASE.GEN  outlines the import measures 
for importation of natural , salted sausage casings.  
8.1.4 Recommendations  
(1) The following measures are considered to effectively manag e the risk associated with FMD:   
a) Fresh meat and meat products of ruminants must meet the Code  recommendations for importation 
from FMD free countries or zones or FMD free compartments where vaccination is not practised; or  
b) Fresh meat and meat products of ruminants (excluding head, pharynx, tongue and associated lymph nodes) must meet the Code  recommendations for importation from FMD free countries or zones 
where vaccination is practised; or  
c) Fresh meat of cattle and water buffaloes ( Bubalus bubalis ) (excluding feet, head and viscera)  must 
meet the Code  recommendations for importation from FMD infected countries or zones  where an 
official control programme exists; or  
d) Meat  products of ruminants must meet the Code  recommendations for importation from FMD 
infected countries or zones . 
8.2 Baci llus anthracis (anthrax)  
8.2.1 Risk management options presented in the IRA  
(1) To manage the risk effectively, one or a combination of the following measures co uld be considered . 
a) The animals from which meat and meat products were derived must have shown no sign of anthrax 
during ante - and post -mortem inspections.  
b) Slaughtered animals must originate from establishments that are not under quarantine restrictions 
for anthrax.  
c) No case of anthrax has occurred on the establishment of origin for the previous 20 days precedi ng 
slaughter.  
d) Animals should not have been vaccinated against anthrax with a live vaccine within 14 days prior to 
slaughter. This period may be longer, in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer.   Risk Management Proposal:  Ruminant Meat and Ruminant Meat Products   [Document Date ] 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 11 8.2.2 Code  2019 recommendations  
Recommendations for the importation of fresh meat and meat products destined for human 
consumption  
 The recommendations in the Code remain unchanged . 
8.2.3 Discussion  
(1) Bacillus anthracis  is recognised as absent from New Zealand and is listed as an unwanted and notifiable 
organism. The last recorded case among livestock occurred in 1954.  
(2) The recommendations in the 2019 Code  remain the same . The risk management options presented in the 
IRA align with the Code  recommendations. As a result, we accept the current Code  2019 
recommendations .  
(3) The likelihood that anthrax contamination is present in meat and meat products from animals that have 
passed ante - and post -mortem inspection  is assessed to be extremely low. There is no evidence that 
animals can transmit anthrax before the onset of clinical and pathological signs.  
(4) The incubation period is hours to 14 days . The requirement to have  no cases on the establishment for 20 
days prec eding slaughter provides  additional assurance.  
(5) All animals from which the meat and meat products were deriv ed must be from an MPI -recognised 
country, slaughtered in a facility approved for export by the Competent Authority, and pass ante-  and post -
mortem i nspections. This requirement is included in the general requirements section of the IHS and 
therefore is not repeated in the specified recommendations for anthrax.  
8.2.4 Recommendation  
(1) The following measures are considered to effective ly manag e the risk associat ed with Bacillus anthracis 
(anthrax):  
a) The ruminant  meat and meat products originate  from animals from establishments that are not under 
quarantine restrictions for anthrax; and  
b) No case of anthrax occurred on the establish ment of origin during the 20 days preceding slaughter; 
and 
c) The ruminant meat and meat products originate from animals which have not  been vaccinated 
against anthrax with a live vaccine during the 14 days prior to slaughter. This period may be longer, in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer.  
8.3 Brucella abortus and B. melitensis  (brucellosis)   
8.3.1 Risk management options presented in the IRA  
(1) One or a combination of the following measures could be considered to effectively manage the risk.  
a) No measures for Brucella  spp. are necessary for meat that has been derived from animals that hav e 
met the commodity definiti on.  
b) Tissues other than muscle meat, brain and spinal cord, thyroid, parathyroid glands, thymus, 
digestive tract and  their derived products require  heat treatment to inactivate Brucella  organisms.  
N.B. There is no danger from eating properly cooked meat products since Brucella  are killed by 
proper cooking temperatures (USDA 2007).  
c) Animals f rom which meat has been derived  have not been eliminated as part of an eradication 
programme against bovine, c aprine or ovine brucellosis.  
d) Fresh meat has been sourced from animals in officially free countries or zones as set out in the 
Code  chapter for bovine, caprine and ovine brucellosis (OIE 2013).  
e) Fresh meat has been sourced from animals that were kept in a herd or flock free from brucellosis as set out in the Code chapter for bovine, caprine and ovine brucellosis (OIE 2013).   Risk Management Proposal:  Ruminant Meat and Ruminant Meat Products   [Document Date ] 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 12 8.3.2 Code  recommendations 2019  
Brucellosis safe commodities  
 
When authorising import or transit of the following commodities , Veterinary Authorities  should not require 
any Brucella -related conditions, regard less of the Brucella infection  status of the animal population of the 
exporting country : 
(1) skeletal muscle meat , brain and spinal cord, digestive tract, thymus, thyroid and parathyroid glands 
and derived products ; 
(2) gelatine, collagen, tallow and meat -and-bone meal . 
 
Recommendations for the importation of fresh meat and meat products other than mentioned in 
Brucellosis safe commodities  
 
Veterinary Authorities  of importing countries  should require the presentation of an international veterinary 
certificate  attesting that the meat  and meat products  come from animals : 
(1) which have been subjected to ante -and post -mortem inspections as described in Chapter 6.3. ; 
(2) which:  
a) originate from a country or zone  free from infection  with Brucella, as relevant; or  
b) originate from a herd or flock free from infection  with Brucella; or  
c) have not been culled as part of an eradication programme against infection  with Brucella.  
 
Note: A s afe commodities section has been added to the 2019 Code . In addition to the negligible risk 
products mentioned in the IRA, the safe commodities added are tallow , and meat -and-bone meal . 
Recommendations for the importation of fresh meat and meat products were added. The species ’ scope 
has been expanded to include  cervids . 
8.3.3 Discussion  
(1) Brucella abortus  and B. melitensis are both recognised as absent from New Zealand and are listed as 
unwanted and notifiable organisms. B . melitensis  has never been reported in New Zealand. B . abortus 
was first detected in New Zealand in 1983 and was later eradicated in 1989.  
(2) Despite  changes between the current  2019 Code and the  2013 Code , the 2019 Code  recommendations 
are aligned with the IRA  and we accept the current 2019 Code recommendations . A note worthy change to 
the 2019  Code  is the addition of  recommendations for fresh meat and meat products . Another  change is 
the inclusion of  cervids  as an affected species .  A list of Brucella spp. safe commodities has been added 
to the current Code.   
(3) The Code  identifies skeletal meat, brain and spinal cord, digestive tract, thymus, thyroid and parathyroid 
and derived products, as well as tallow , and meat -and-bone meal, as being  Brucella  spp. safe 
commodities. No measures for Brucella  spp.  will be required for these tissues.  
(4) For tissues other than those identified as safe commodities, options 3 ), 4) and 5)  in the IRA  allow imports 
to be derived from countries, zones or herds free from infection  with Brucella  spp., or from animals that 
have not been culled a s part of an eradication programme . The Code  gives specific recommendations  for 
declaration of freedom from infection with Brucella  spp. and evidence of such would be assessed as part 
of the country recognition process.  
8.3.4 Recommendations  
(1) The following measures are considered to effective ly manag e the risk associated with Brucella  spp. 
(Brucellosis) :  
a) Ruminant m eat and meat products must be  Brucella  spp. safe commodities as defined in the Code; 
or 
b) Ruminant m eat and meat products must be derived from animals that :  Risk Management Proposal:  Ruminant Meat and Ruminant Meat Products   [Document Date ] 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 13 i) have not been culled as part of an eradication programme against infection with  Brucell a spp.; 
or 
ii) originate from a country or zone free from infection with Brucella  spp. , as relevant ; or 
iii) originate from a herd or flock free from infection with Brucella  spp. . 
8.4 Salmonella spp. ( salmonellosis)  
8.4.1 Risk management options in the IRA  
(1) To manage the risk effectively , one or a combination of the following measures could be considered.  
a) Imported meat must comply with the commodity definition that states meat and meat products 
derived from ruminants must be from animals that have passed ante - and post -mortem inspections 
and slaughtered in  an abattoir approved for export.  
N.B. Under international obligations, it would not be possible to impose measures beyond those 
applied domestically.  
b) The commodity must be heat treated in an establishment approved by the Competent Author ity for 
export purposes to ensure the destruction of Salmonellae .  
N.B. Cooking guidelines provided for consumers of domestically produced meat could be applied to processing facilities, whereby meat is cooked to at least 74°C for 15 seconds. Under international obligations, it would not be possible to impose measures bey ond those applied domestically. 
However, domestic measures are cooking guidelines for consumers only and are not enforced by 
law.  
c) The commodity must undergo any equivalent treatment or processing that achieves at least 74°C for 15 seconds to inactivate Sa lmonellae . 
8.4.2 Discussion  
(1) There are no Code recommendations for international trade for Salmonella  spp. As such, MPI’s  discussion 
and recommendations are based on the IRA . 
(2) Salmonella  spp. can be introduced by humans, animals and meat entering New Zealand. There are no 
measures required for humans, and there are no measures required for a ny species of imported animals.  
(3) Measures applied to domestic meat producers could be applied to imported meats. Under international obligations, requirements cannot  be imposed on imported meat beyond those applied domestically. 
Options 2)  and 3)  from  the IRA  outline cooking measures (74°C for 15 seconds or equivalent) to ensure 
the destruction of Salmonella  spp. in meat. These measures are domestic cooking guidelines  for 
consumers and are not legally enforceable in New Zealand; hence, these cooking requirements will not be 
included in the IHS.  
(4) MPI considers Option 1) from the IRA  to be the most appropriate measure. This measure is included in the 
General Requirements in Part 1 of the IHS.  
8.4.3 Recommendations  
(1) No measures for Salmonella  spp.  are justified other than the general requirements that all  ruminant  meat 
and ruminant meat products imported under the IHS must come from a n MPI -recognised country , and 
pass ante - and po st-mortem inspection in a slaughterhouse approved for export  by the C ompetent 
Authority . 
8.5 Echinococcus granulosus (hydatidosis)  
8.5.1 Risk management options presented in the IRA  
(1) To manage the risk effectively, one or a combination of the following measures could  be considered.  
a) Any meat or meat product that does not include offal (as defined by the Code  chapter), may be 
imported without restriction.   Risk Management Proposal:  Ruminant Meat and Ruminant Meat Products   [Document Date ] 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 14 b) Chilled offal (as defined by the Code  chapter) could be imported only from countries that are free 
from hydatidosis.  
Note: The OIE does not provide recommendations for the self -declaration of a country as free from 
E. granulosus . 
c) Offal (as defined by the Code  chapter) must be frozen to -20°C  or below for at least 2 days in 
accordance with Article 8.4.6.   
d) Offal (as defined by the Code  chapter) must be heat treated to a core temperature of at least 80°C 
for ten minutes or an equivalent time and temperature.  
e) Offal (as defined by the Code  chapter ) must be boiled for at least 30 minutes.   
8.5.2 Code  recommendations 2019  
Procedures for the inactivation of E. granulosus hydatids in offal  
 The recommendations in the Code remain unchanged . 
8.5.3 Discussion  
(1) Echinococcus granulosus  is recognised as absent from New Zealand and is listed as an unwanted and 
notifiable organism. New Zealand declared provisional freedom from E. granulosus  in 2002 with no cases 
identified  since  that time . 
(2) The recommendations in the  2019 Code remain the same . The risk management options presented in the 
IRA align with the Code  recommendations. As a result, we accept the current  2019 Code 
recommendations  with some minor changes .  
(3) The Code  lists skeletal muscle meat, skeletal muscle meat products, processed  fat and casings as safe 
commodities. Accordingly, E. granulosus  is not considered a risk in these commodities and no specific risk 
management measures are necessary.  
(4) Offal is defined as internal organs in the Code  chapter on i nfection with E. granulosus .  Offal, primarily 
lungs and liver, may contain E. granulosus  cysts known as hydatids. However, offal fit for human 
consumption, i.e., offal which has passed ante - and post -mortem inspection performed in a 
slaughterhouse approved for export by t he Competent Authority of the recognised country, poses a very 
low likelihood of containing cysts.  Despite this, d ue to New Zealand’s provisional freedom status, MPI will 
carry out a specific risk assessment if a country wishes to export  chilled, raw  offal  to New Zealand.  
(5) Infection would require feeding raw offal to dogs, which is illegal under New Zealand Controlled Area 
Notice in Respect of Echinococcus Granulosus (Hydatids)  (No. 294), issued under the Biosecurity Act 
1993. This Notice declares the whole of New Zealand to be a controlled area in which raw offal from 
livestock must not be accessible to dogs. It gives the on -farm treatment options of boiling offal for 30 
minutes or freezing at - 10°C  or colder for at least 10 days.  
(6) Additionally, dog dosing with praziquantel is routine in N ew Z ealand, both in rural (through Ovis 
Management initiatives) and urban areas, so any exposure would have a low likelihood of developing 
patent infestations.  https://www.sheepmeasles.co.nz/the -issue/   
(7) Infection of humans or livestock would require ingestion of tapeworm eggs in dog faeces.  
8.5.4 Recommendations  
(1) For ruminant meat and ruminant meat products from Australia : 
a) Ruminant meat or ruminant meat product, excluding offal, may be imported when it has pass ed ante - 
and post -mortem inspection ; or 
b) Offal may be imported when it has pass ed ante-  and post -mortem inspection for human 
consumption ; or 
c) Offal may be imported when it has pass ed ante - and post -mortem inspection and has undergone 
one of the following treatments;   Risk Management Proposal:  Ruminant Meat and Ruminant Meat Products   [Document Date ] 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 15 i) Heat treatment to a core temperature of at least 80°C for ten minutes or an equivalent time 
and temperature; or  
ii) Freezing to minus 20°C or below for at least two days.  
(2) For ruminant meat and ruminant meat products from all countries other than Australia : 
a) Ruminant  meat or ruminant meat product , excluding  offal, may  be imported when it has pass ed ante - 
and post -mortem inspection in a slaughterho use approved for export ; or 
b) Offal may be imported when it has pass ed ante-  and post -mortem inspection in a slaughterhouse 
approved for export  and has undergone  one of the following treatment s; 
i) Heat treatment to a core temperature of at least 80°C for ten minutes or an equivalent time and temperature;  or 
ii) Freezing to minus 20°C or below for at least two days.  
8.6  Taenia multiceps (listed as Coenurus cerebralis in IRA ) 
8.6.1 Risk management options presented in the IRA  
(1) To manage the risk effectively, one or a comb ination of the following measures could be considered.  
a) Animals have been ante-  and post -mortem inspected and found free of coenuri.  
b) The commodity is certified as not containing brain or spinal cord of sheep, goats, cattle, buffaloes,  or 
deer.  
c) Meat commod ities that contain central nervous system (CNS) tissues are processed by either 
cooking or freezing to temperatures and times that destroy coenuri.  
8.6.2 Discussion  
(1) There are  no recommendation s for international trade in the Code  for T aenia multiceps . As such, MPI’s 
discussion and recommendations are based on the IRA.  
(2) This parasite was referred to as Coenurus cerebralis  in the IRA . Coenurus cerebralis  is the cyst stage of 
the lifecycle of the tapeworm T. multiceps  that can develop in the brain or spinal cord of ruminants, 
primarily sheep.  
(3) T. multiceps was classified as a risk in commodities that contain central nervous system tissue of sheep, 
goats, cattle, buffaloes or deer.   
(4) Infection would require transmission to dogs  by feeding raw brain or spinal cord containing cysts and , 
subsequently , humans or livestock could be infected from ingestion of tapeworm eggs in dog faeces.  
(5) This parasite was reported in sheep in N ew Z ealand  on a small number of occasions over the last century. 
It has likely died out in N ew Z ealand  as a result of hydatid control (praziquantel  treatment ) throughout 
much of the 20th century. Continuous dosing with praziquantel means infestations in dogs would be 
unlikely to eventuate even if they were  fed infected, raw, imported offal, which is illegal under New 
Zealand Controlled Area Notice (No. 294), issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993.  
(6) All imports under this IHS are subject to ante - and post -mortem inspection (Option 1 of the IRA ). 
Additionally , these inspections must be performed in a slaughterhouse approved for export by the 
Competent Authority of the recognised country. Option 1)  of the IRA  is considered adequate to manage 
the risk.  
8.6.3 Recommendations  
(1) No measures for Taenia multiceps  are justifie d other than the general requirements that all meat and meat 
products imported under the IHS must come from an MPI -recognised country, and pass ante - and post -
mortem inspection in a slaughterhouse approved for export.   Risk Management Proposal:  Ruminant Meat and Ruminant Meat Products   [Document Date ] 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 16 8.7 Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)  prion ( for meat and meat 
products derived from Bos taurus and Bos indicus only)  
8.7.1 Risk management options presented in the IRA  
(1) To manage the risk effectively, one or a combination of the following measures could be considered.  
a) In accordance with 201 3 Code  Article 11.5.1, imports of deboned skeletal muscle meat (excluding 
mechanically separated meat) from cattle which were not subjected to a stunning process prior to 
slaughter, with a device injecting compressed air or gas into the cranial cavity or to a pithing process, and which passed ante - and post -mortem inspections and which ha ve been prepared in a manner to 
avoid contamination with tissues not considered safe by the Code  are listed as safe commodit ies 
and no BSE -related measures are required.  
b) Importing bovine commodities from a country, zone or compartment posing a negligible BSE risk 
could be required to meet the Code  Article 11.5.6.  
c) Fresh meat and meat products (other than safe commodities as defined in the Code ) from cattle 
imported from a cou ntry, zone or compartment posing a negligible, controlled, or an                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
undetermined BSE risk, could be required to meet the relevant Article recommendations (either Article 11.5.10, 11.5.11, or Article 11.5.12).  
d) Importation of gelatine and collagen prepared from bones intended for food could be required to meet the recommendations in Article 11.5.15.  
e) Importation of tallow (other than as defined safe by the Code ) intended for food could be required to 
meet the recommendations in Article 11.5.16.  
f) Importation of dicalcium phosphate (other than as d efined safe by the Code ) intended for food could 
be required to meet the recommendations in Article 11.5.17.  
g) Importation of tallow derivatives (other than as defined safe by the Code ) intended for food could be 
required to meet the recommendations in Artic le 11.5.18.  
8.7.2 Code  recommendations 2019  
(1)  The recommendations in the Code remain unchanged.  
8.7.3 Discussion   
(1) The recommendation in the Code 2019 remain the same. We accept the recommendations  with some 
changes .  
(2) The disease agent of BSE, a prion, is an infectious protein transmitted by feeding protein derived from infected cattle to other cattle. In humans, BSE is believed to cause the disease variant Creutzfeldt -Jakob 
through the consumption of food products containing bovine central nervous tissue.  
(3) The incidence of both BSE in cattle and Creutzfeldt -Jakob disease in humans has decreased dramatically 
worldwide following the ban of mammalian protein in ruminant feed.  
(4) The Code  specifies comprehensive surveillance activities for determining an OIE Member Country’s BSE 
risk stat us as negligible , controlled , or undetermined risk. New Zealand is recognised by the OIE as having 
a negligible BSE risk. Classical BSE has never b een reported in New Zealand.  
(5) New Zealand currently allows importation of bovine meat and meat products for human consumption from 
some countries that have a BSE negligible risk and some that have a BSE controlled risk status (e.g. 
Canada, some EU members).  The IRA states there is an  extremely low risk of introducing  BSE prion into 
New Zealand from these countries because BSE is highly regulated through animal feed bans, world -wide 
prevalence of BSE in cattle is low, and specified risk materials are  removed  at slaughter .  
(6) Collagen and gelatine prepared exclusively from hides and skins, dicalcium phosphate, and tallow with a 
maximum level of insoluble impurities of 0.15% in weight and its derivatives, are deemed BSE safe 
commodities in the OIE Code.  
(7) MPI risk analysts produced a paper on gelatine (Appendix 4: Does gelatine pose a BSE risk to consumers 
of the MPI document Officials’ Review of New Zealand’s BSE Country -Categorisation Measure) .   Risk Management Proposal:  Ruminant Meat and Ruminant Meat Products   [Document Date ] 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 17 (8) The paper concluded that the series of chemical processes used in the  manufacture of gelatine, 
regardless of whether it is derived from hides and skins, or bones, is sufficient to inactivate any BSE 
infectivity which might have been present in the raw material from which the gelatine is made. MPI therefore classifies  gelati ne from any source a BSE safe commodity.  
(9) Tendons are not a BSE risk material. Therefore, collagen prepared exclusively from tendons does not pose a BSE risk. MPI therefore classifies collagen derived from hides and skins, or tendons, a BSE safe 
commodity.  
(10) Collagen  prepared  exclusively from hides and skins , or tendons , dicalcium phosphate, gelatine from any 
source,  and tallow with a maximum level of insoluble impurities of 0.15% in weight and its derivatives , are 
safe commodities  and eligible for import from any country. Hence,  they will remain eligible for importation 
under  the Import Health Standard for Specified Animal Products , SPECPROD.ALL .   
(11) The OIE lists further commodities  including  deboned skeletal meat and blood and blood by -products as 
BSE safe commodities. These commodities have other risk organisms associated with them. As a result,  
MPI will require a negotiated veterinary certificate for these commodities under this IHS.  
(12) New Zealand’s  Biosecurity ( Ruminant Protein ) Regulations  1999 prohibit s feeding any ruminant tissue 
(domestic or imported), excluding dairy products, to ruminant animals such as cat tle, sheep, deer,  and 
goats . http://www.mpi.govt.nz/feedban
 
(13) Therefore, r uminant m eat and bone m eal (MBM) and other fertiliser products will not be  eligible for 
biosecurity clearance , as the end use conflicts w ith the restrictive nature of the  domestic regulations for 
ruminant protein .  
(14) The importation of ruminant meat and ruminant meat products for the following end  uses are not covered 
in this IHS: 
a) Laboratory use   
b) Microbiological testing  
c) Therapeutic or veterinary use on or in animals  
d) Therapeutic use on or in humans  
8.7.4 Recommendations (for meat and meat products derived from cattle)  
(1) The following BSE s afe commodities  may be  imported : 
a) Collagen  (from hides and skins, or tendons)  
b) Dicalcium phosphate  
c) Gelatine  
d) Tallow with  insoluble impurities of  less than  0.15% in weight and its derivatives   
(2) Meat and bone meal (MBM) and other fertiliser  products  of ruminant animal origin  are not eligible for 
import.   
(3) Ruminant m eat and ruminant meat products  (excluding those in 1  and 2 above ) must meet the specified 
Code  recommendations for:  
a) a country, zone or compartment posing a negligible BSE risk; or  
b) a country, zone or compartment posing a controlled BSE risk . 
(4) Ruminant  meat pro ducts (excluding those in (1 -3)) must meet the specified Code  recommendations for:  
a) a country, zone or compartment posing an undetermined BSE risk .