MINISTRY FOR PRIMARY 
INDUSTRIES  
155.02.04 
    
IMPORT HEALTH STANDARD  
FOR CUT FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE  
      
 
Copy No:   
 
Issued to:  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issued as an import health standard pursuant to section 24  of the Biosecurity Act 1993  
 
 TABLE OF CONTENTS  
 
 
Page  
 
Contents  i,ii 
Issuance  iii 
 
1. INTRODUCTION  1 
  1.1 Scope  1 
 1.2 References  1 
 1.3 Definitions  2 
 1.4 Explanation of Pest C ategories  5 
 
2. PHYTOSANITARY REQUIREMENTS  6 
  2.1 General  6 
 2.2 General Pre- Export Phytosanitary Actions  7 
 2.3 Maximum Allowable Prev alence (MAP)  7 
 2.4 Inspection of the Consignment  8 
 2.5 Testing of the Consignment  8 
 2.6 Transit Requirements  8 
2.7 Inspection on Arri val in New Zealand  11 
 2.8 Specific Country:Commodity Requirements  8 
 2.9 Actions Undertaken on the Interceptions/Detection of Organisms/Contaminants  9 
 2.9.1  Quarantine:  Risk Group 1 Pests  9 
 2.9.2  Quarantine:  Risk Group 2 Pests  9 
 2.9.3  Regulated Non -Quarantine Pests  9 
 2.9.4  Regulated Non -Plant Pests/Unwanted Organisms  9 
 2.9.5  Vectors of Associated Quarantine Pests  10 
 2.9.6  Vectored Organisms  10 
 2.9.7  Strains of Pests 10 
Ministry for Primary Industries 155.02.04:  
Import Health Standard for Cut Flowers and Foliage  14 August 2014  Page i  2.9.8  Non-Regulated Non -Quarantine Pests  10 
 2.9.9  Non-Regulated Non -Plant Pests/Organisms  11 
 2.9.10  Contaminants  10 
 
3. ADDITIONAL DECLARATIONS TO THE PHYTOSANITARY CERTIFICATE  11 
 
Ministry for Primary Industries 155.02.04:  
Import Health Standard for Cut Flowers and  Foliage  14 August 2014 Page ii  
 
 
   
 
  
 
  
Issuance 
 
Pursuant to sectio n 24 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, this document is hereby issued as an 
import health standard for cut flowers and foliage for decorative purposes.  
 
   
 
  
 
 
________________________     
 
Peter Thomson  
Director, Plants Food & Environment  
Ministry for Primary  Industries  
(acting under delegated authority of the Director -General)  
 
Date of issue : 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ministry for Primary Industries 155.02.04:  
Import Health Standard for Cut Flowers and Foliage  14 August 2014  Page iii 1. Introduction  
 
1.1 SCOPE 
 
This document describes the phytosanitary requirements for the importation 
of fresh cut flowers and foliage, for decorative purposes, into New  Zealand.  
 
The primary purpose of this document is to consolidate the import health standards 
(pursuant to section 24 of the Biosecurity Act 1993), for importation of cut flowers 
and foliage and provide a practical medium for the develop ment and revision of 
specific country/commodity import health standards in accordance with current M PI 
procedures.  
 
1.2 REFERENCES  
 
The following Acts, Regulations and MPI  standards are referred to, or complement, 
the implementation of this standard:  
  
∃ The Biosecurity Act 1993.  
 
∃ MAF Standard 152.01.S: Requirements for Suppliers of Inspection Services at the Border.  
 
∃ MAF Standard TF Gen.  
 
Ministry for Primary Industries 155.02.04:  
Import Health Standard for Cut F lowers and Foliage  14 August 2014  Page 1  1.3 DEFINITIONS  
 
For the purposes of this MPI  standard the following definitions and abbreviations 
apply:  
 
Additional declaration  
A statement that is required to be entered on a phytosanitary certificate which 
provides specific phytosanitary information pertinent to the phytosanitary 
condition of a consignment.  
 
Approved inspection facility  
A place approved by a M PI CTO, or delegate, in accordance with MAF   
Standard TF-Gen.  Such facilities are also approved transitional facilities 
under the Biosecurity Act 1993.  
 
Consignment  
One or more lots imported by one importer, on one conveyance at one time 
and covered by on e phytosanitary certificate.  
 
Note 1:  Commercial consignments are unaccompanied consignments covered by an airway 
bill/bill of lading intended for resale.  
 
Note 2:  Private consignments are accompanied consignments imported as personal property.  
 
Note 3:  Unaccompanied private consignments are consignments covered by an airway bill/bill 
of lading and imported as personal property.  
 
Chief Technical Officer (CTO)  
A person appointed under section 101 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 
 
Devitalisation  
Post harvest treat ment which destroys the reproductive capability of a 
commodity  
 
Entry (of a pest)  
Movement of a pest into an area where it is not present, or present but not 
widely distributed and being officially controlled.  
 
Establishment  
Perpetuation, for the foreseeab le future, of a pest within an area after entry.  
 
Fresh cut flowers and foliage  
Fresh cut flowers and foliage includes fresh flowers, stems and foliage 
harvested for decorative purposes  but not for propagation .  It does not include 
roots, fruit or soil tha t may be associated with fresh cut flowers and foliage.  
Homogeneous  
An identifiable lot of produce which has undergone a known and documented process or production method resulting in uniformity of pest contamination at 
a specific level.  
 
Ministry for Primary Industries 155.02.04:  
Import Health Standard for Cut Flowers and  Foliage  14 August 2014 Page 2 Import  health sta ndard  
A document issued pursuant to section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 on 
behalf of a CTO permitting entry to New Zealand of a specific product under 
certain conditions.  
 
Infested unit  
An individual fresh flower, single piece of foliage or stem carryin g any 
regulated or non -regulated organism.  
 
Inspector  
A person appointed as an inspector under section 103(1) of the Biosecurity Act 1993.  
 
Introduction 
Entry and establishment of a pest.  
 
IPPC   
Abbreviation for the International Plant Protection Conventio n. 
 
Lot  
The number of units of a single commodity (i.e. species), identifiable by such 
things as its homogeneity of composition and origin which forms part of a 
consignment.  
 
Management representative 
The designated single point of technical and service q uality accountability as 
nominated by the supplier.  This person shall act as the contact between the NA (BI) and the supplier.  
 
Maximum allowable prevalence (MAP)  
The level of infestation that is the threshold, above which phytosanitary actions based on i nspection would be applied.  
 
NA, IO (PI)  
Abbreviation for National Adviser, International Operations (Plant Imports), MPI 
 
Non-regulated pest  
Non-regulated organisms are those organisms for which phytosanitary actions 
would not be undertaken if they were i ntercepted/detected.  
 
National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO)  
Official service organisation established by Government to discharge the 
functions specified by the IPPC.  
 
 
MPI  
Acronym for the Ministry for Primary Industries . 
 
 
Ministry for Primary Industries 155.02.04:  
Import Health Standard for Cut F lowers and Foliage  14 August 2014  Page 3  Pathway 
A series of activ ities that, when carried out according to documented 
procedures, form a discrete and traceable export system.  
 
Pest 
Any species, strain or biotype of plant, animal or pathogenic agent injurious to 
plant or plant products.  
 
Pest list  
A list of organisms kno wn to be associated with a specific product in a specific 
country.  
 
Pest proof container 
A container or device of sound durable construction which when closed 
eliminates the possibility of pests escaping from or entering into its contents.  
 
Phytosanitary certificate (PC)  
A certificate issued by the authority of an exporting country, in accordance with the requirements of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), 
which verifies that the requirements of the relevant import health standard has 
been met. 
 
Propagable  
The ability of the imported plant material to readily reproduce and be disseminated without manipulation (e.g. propa gable cuttings, seeds).  
 
Regulated organisms (FAO Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms 1996)  
Regulated organisms are those organisms for which phytosanitary actions would be undertaken if they were intercepted/detected. (Glossary of 
phytosanitary terms ISPM 5:2010)  
 
Secure area  
A pest proof area, container or device which can be effectively sealed to ensure the contents cannot be  tampered with or removed without the permission of an 
Inspector.  This would be within an approved transitional facility.  
 
Supplier  
The organisation, or part of the organisation, that is contracted by MPI to 
deliver services, in accordance with an accredi ted system, to meet appropriate 
standards.  
 
 
Transitional Facility 
Any facility approved in accordance with section 39 of the Biosecurity Act 
1993 for the purpose of inspection, storage, treatment, quarantine, holding or 
 destruction of  uncleared goods.  
 
 
Unit  
An individual fresh flower, single piece of foliage or stem as appropriate.  
Ministry for Primary Industries 155.02.04:  
Import Health Standard for Cut Flowers and  Foliage  14 August 2014 Page 4 1.4 EXPLANATION OF PEST CATEGORIES  
 
MPI categorises pests associated with plants and plant products into regulated and non -
regulated pests. Measures to prevent the establish ment of regulated pests in New Zealand are 
developed in accordance with the appropriate FAO ISPMs and other relevant international 
standards. Regulated pests are those pests for which actions would be undertaken if they were 
intercepted/detected. As well a s quarantine pests, these include pests that may pose a risk to 
human or animal health or the environment, vectors of associated quarantine pests and contaminants. Non regulated pets are those pests for which no actions would be undertaken if 
they were int ercepted/detected.  
 Organisms classified as regulated by MPI  can be found by searching The Biosecurity 
Organisms Register for Imported Commodities (BORIC)  
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/ pests/registers/boric  
 
 
Contaminants (including soil)  
 
Consignments contaminated with soil, or other potential carriers of regulated pests (e.g. leaf litter) will not be permitted entry if the level of contamination is above the 
acceptable tolerance.  
Ministry for Primary Industries 155.02.04:  
Import Health Standard for Cut F lowers and Foliage  14 August 2014  Page 5  2. Phytosanitary Requirements  
2.1 GENERAL  
 
All cut flowers and foliage are prohibited entry into New Zealand unless they are 
listed in Appendix 1 to this standard.  
 
A completed phytosanitary certificate issued by the exporting country’s national plant 
 protec tion organisation must accompany all consignments of fresh cut flowers/foliage 
 exported to New Zealand.  
 
The phytosanitary certificate shall contain all information as detailed on the “model 
 phytosanitary certificate” (Annex 1, Revised text of Internatio nal Plant Protection 
 Convention, November 1997) where there is more than one species of cut flower.  
 
General  
 
-  a unique certificate number  
- exporting plant protection organisation 
- importing plant protection organisation 
 
Description of Consignment  
 
- name and address of exporter  
-  declared name and address of consignee  
- number and description of packages  
- distinguishing marks  
- place of origin  
- declared means of conveyance  
- name of produce and quantity declared  
- botanical name of plants  
 
Disinfe station and/or Disinfection Treatment  
 
-  date 
- treatment 
-  chemical and active ingredient  
- duration and temperature  
- concentration   
 
Additional information  
 
- additional declaration(s) specified for the commodity(s) concerned  
-  official stamp of the na tional plant protection organisation 
- signature of authorised officer  
- name of authorised officer  
- place of issue  
- date of issue  
Ministry for Primary Industries 155.02.04:  
Import Health Standard for Cut Flowers and  Foliage  14 August 2014 Page 6  
2.2 GENERAL PRE -EXPORT PHYTOSANITARY  ACTIONS  
 
Before an export phytosanitary certificate is to be issued, the exporting co untry’s 
national plant protection organisation must be satisfied that the following activities, 
for each consignment have been undertaken.  
 
For regulated organisms (except risk group 2 pests), either of the following 
activities apply:  
 
- Inspected and/or t ested in accordance with appropriate official procedures and 
found to be free of any visually detectable regulated pests specified by MPI. 
 OR 
 
- Been sourced from a pest free area, as verified by official detection survey, for 
those regulated organisms sp ecified by MPI  for which there is no practical 
means of inspection or testing.  
 
AND  
 
For risk group 2 pests, either of the following activities apply:  
 
- Undergone an appropriate pest control for those risk group 2 quarantine pests specified by MPI . 
 OR 
 
- Been sourced from a pest free area, as verified by official detection survey for those risk group 2 quarantine pests as specified by MPI. 
 
AND  
 
For propagatable commodities:    
 
- Been rendered non -propagatable  
 
2.3 MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE PREVALENCE (MAP)  
 
The MAP for visually detectable regulated organisms on cut flowers/foliage is as 
follows:  
 
“At a 95% confidence level, that not more than 0.5% of the units in the consignment are infested (this equates to an acceptance level of zero units infested by regulated  
organisms in a sample size of 600 units)”.
 
 
 
Ministry for Primary Industries 155.02.04:  
Import Health Standard for Cut F lowers and Foliage  14 August 2014  Page 7  2.4 INSPECTION OF THE CO NSIGNMENT  
 
MPI requires that the exporting country’s national plant protection organisation 
sample and inspect the consignment according to official procedures for all visually 
detectabl e regulated pests specified by MPI. 
 
(Refer Annex 1: Categorised Pest Lists for Cut Flowers and Foliage).  
 
Should regulated pests be detected, the consignment must be either rejected for  
 export or undergo a treatment effective against the detected pest.  
 
2.5 TESTING OF THE CONSI GNMENT  
 
Testing of the consignment prior to export to New Zealand for regulated pests which are not visually detectable is not (generally) required for fresh cut flowers/foliage from 
exporting countries.  
 
2.6 TRANSIT REQUIREMENTS  
 All fresh cut flowers/foliage must be packed and shipped in a manner to prevent 
contamination by regulated pests.  
 
The package should not be opened in transit.  However, where a consignment is either 
stored, split up or has its packaging changed while in  another country (or countries) 
en route  to New  Zealand, a “Re- export Certificate” is required.  
 
 Where a consignment is held under bond, as a result of the need to change  
 conveyances, and it is kept in the original shipping container, a “Re- export  
 Certificate” is not required.  
 
2.7 INSPECTION ON ARRIVAL IN NEW ZEALAND  
 
MPI will check the accompanying documentation on arrival to confirm that it 
reconciles with the actual consignment.  
 MPI requires, with 95% confidence, that not more than 0.5% of the units in a 
consignment are infested with visually detectable regulated quarantine pests.  To 
achieve this, MPI  will sample and inspect 600 units with an acceptance level of zero 
infested units (or equivalent), from the (homogeneous) lot.  
 
2.8 SPECIFIC COUNTRY:COMMODITY REQUIREM ENTS  
 
Specific phytosanitary requirements and additional declarations to the phytosanitary certificate for each country:commodity combination have been detailed in Appendix 1 
to this standard.  
Ministry for Primary Industries 155.02.04:  
Import Health Standard for Cut Flowers and  Foliage  14 August 2014 Page 8  
2.9 ACTIONS UNDERTAKEN O N THE INTERCEPTIONS/DETECTION OF 
ORGANISMS/CONTAMINANTS  
 
If regulated organisms are intercepted/detected on the commodity, or associated 
packaging, the following actions will be undertaken as appropriate:  
 
2.9.1  Quarantine: Risk Group 1 Pests  
 
If a risk group 1 pest is inte rcepted, the importer will be given the option of:  
 
- treatment (where possible) of the consignment at the importer’s risk and 
expense,  
 - re-sorting (specific conditions apply) of the consignment,  
 - reshipment of the consignment,  
 - destruction of the co nsignment.  
 
2.9.2  Quarantine: Risk Group 2 Pests  
 
If a risk group 2 pest is intercepted, the importer will be given the option of:  
 
- treatment (where possible) at the discretion of the Director, Plants Biosecurity 
and immediate feedback to the national pl ant protection organisation of the 
exporting country with a request for corrective action,  
 
-  reshipment of the consignment,  
 
- destruction of the consignment.  
 
2.9.3  Regulated Non- Quarantine Pests  
 
Actions for the interception/detection of regulated no n-quarantine pests will be in 
accordance with the contingencies implemented for that pest if detected in 
New  Zealand.  
 
2.9.4  Regulated Non- Plant Pests/Unwanted Organisms 
 
Actions for the interception/detection of regulated non plant pests/unwanted 
organism s will be in accordance with the actions required by the relevant biosecurity 
agency.  
 
Ministry for Primary Industries 155.02.04:  
Import Health Standard for Cut F lowers and Foliage  14 August 2014  Page 9  2.9.5  Vectors of Associated Quarantine Pests  
 
Actions for the interception of “vectors” will generally be the same as for risk group 1 
quarantine pests.  
 
2.96 Vectored O rganisms  
 
Vectored organisms will be controlled by treatment of the associated vector.  
 
2.9.7  Strains of Pests 
 
Actions for “strains” of pests will generally be the same as for risk group 1 quarantine pests.  
 
2.9.8  Non- Regulated Non- Quarantine Pests  
 
No ac tion is undertaken on the interception of non- regulated non -quarantine pests.  
2.9.9  Non- Regulated Non- Plant Pests/Organisms 
 No action is undertaken on the interception of non- regulated non plant 
pests/organisms.  
 
2.9.10 Contaminants  
 Lots with more than 2 5 grams of soil per 600 unit sample shall be treated, reshipped or 
destroyed.  
 
Interception of extraneous plant material (e.g. leaves, twigs) in the 600 unit sample will result in the lot being held until an assessment has been made in comparison with 
the risk of importing the part(s) of the plant species concerned.  
Ministry for Primary Industries 155.02.04:  
Import Health Standard for Cut Flowers and  Foliage  14 August 2014 Page 10 3. Additional Declarations to the Phytosanitary Certificate  
 
General requirements  
All consignments of fresh cut flowers/foliage must be accompanied by a phytosanitary 
certificate attesting that the consignment has been inspected and/or tested in accordance  
with appropriate official procedures and is considered to be free from quarantine pests  
specified by MPI . The phytosanitary  certificate must also attest that the consignment 
conforms with the  current phytosanitary  requirements of MPI . 
 
The following additional declaration to the phytosanitary certificate applies:  
 
{AD1}  
This is to certify that the cut flowers/foliage described herein have been inspected  
 and/or tested according to appropriate official proceedures and are considered to  
be free from the quaratine pests specified by MPI  and to conform  with the current 
phytosanitary requirements of MPI , including  those for regulated non -quarantine pests.  
 
Note: If the phytosanitary certificate is i n accordance with the model phytosanitary  
certificate annexed to the revised (1997) text of the FAO IPPC the above additional  
declaration is not required.  
   
Specific requirements 
 
Where plant material is propagable (as shown in relevant country commodity  
schedules) the material must be subject to an appropriate devitalisation treatment  
rendering the material non -propagable. The following additional declaration to the 
phytosanitary certificate will apply.  
 
{AD2} The [commodity] has been subject to an appro ved devitalisation treatment  
 rendering it non -propagable.  
 
Full details of the devitalisation treatment must be included in the “Disinfestation and/or  
Disinfection Treatment” area of the phytosanitary certificate. Details  of the date, active 
ingredient, c oncentration, treatment duration and temperature must be recorded.  
 
Where plant material has been produced and prepared for export in accordance with the  
Singapore Assurance Certification Scheme, the following additional declaration to the phytosanitary ce rtificate will apply.  
 
{AD3}  
This consignment was produced and prepared for export in accordance  
  with the Singapore  Assurance  C ertification Scheme.  
 
 
 
Ministry for Primary Industries 155.02.04:  
Import Health Standard for Cut F lowers and Foliage  14 August 2014  Page 11