An import health standard issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993  
  
 
Import Health Standard  
 
 
Hides and Skins  
HIDESKIN.ALL  
Date of signing  
 
 Import Health Standard : Hides and Skins  
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Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 1 of 15 TITLE  
Import Health Standard :  Hides and Skins  IHS 
COMMENCEMEN T 
This Import Health Standard comes into force on [Effective Date]  
REVOCATION  
This Import Health Standard  revokes and replaces :  
•  Hides and Skins , HIDESKIN .ALL, dated 7 August  2015  
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 delegated authority of the Director General)  
 
 
Contact for further information  
Ministry for Primary Industries  (MPI )  
Agriculture & Investment Services  
Animal Imports  
PO Box 2526   
Wellington 6140  
Email:  animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz   
 
 
 
 
Import Health Standard : Hides and Skins  
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Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 2 of 15 Contents  Page 
Introduction  3 
Part 1:  Requirements  6 
1.1 Application  6 
1.2 Incorporation of material by reference  6 
1.3 Definitions  6 
1.4 Requirements for clearance  7 
1.5 Packaging  7 
1.6 Import permit information  7 
1.7 The documentation that must accompany goods  7 
Part 2:  Specified Requirements for Identified Risk Organisms  9 
2.1 Fully tanned hides and skins  9 
2.2 Processed hides and skins  9 
2.3 Salted or dried hides and skins from specified animals  9 
2.4 Casualty (slink) skins  10 
2.5 Macropod hides and skins  11 
Schedule 1 – Document History  12 
Schedule 2 – Definitions  13 
Schedule 3 – Processing Requirements at the Transitional Facility  15 
 
 
Import Health Standard : Hides and Skins  
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Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 3 of 15 Introduction   
This introduction is not part of the  Import Health S tandard  (IHS) , but is intended to indicate its general effect.  
Purpose  
This IHS specifies the minimum requirements that must be met when importing hides and skins into New 
Zealand.  
The identified risk organisms associated with commodity that are managed by this IHS are:  
• Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) virus  
• Swine vesicular disease (SVD) virus  
• Lumpy Skin D isease  (LSD) virus  
• Sheep and goat pox  
• African Swine F ever (ASF) virus  
• Classical Swine F ever (CSF) virus  
• Bovine Viral D iarrhoea  (BVD) virus  (type 2)  
• Highly Pathogenic Avian I nfluenza (HPAI) virus  
• Newcastle disease  
• Bacillus anthracis  (anthrax)  
• Coxiella burnetii  (Q fever)  
• Brucella abortus , Brucella melitensis  and Brucella suis  (Brucellosis)  
• Chlamydophila abortus  
• Enterobacteriaceae including exotic Salmonella spp.  
• Burkholderia mallei  (glanders)  
• Enterovirus encephalomyelitis  
• Hitch -hiker  pests  
• Weed see ds 
Backgro und 
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. T he 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 hides and skins.  Import Health Standard : Hides and Skins  
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Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 4 of 15 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 int o 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 release or 
equivale nce determined. Importers are liable for all associated expenses.  
The costs to MPI in performing functions relating to the importation of hides and skins  will be recovered in 
accordance with the Act and any regulations made under the Act. All costs invo lved with documentation, 
transport, storage and obtaining a biosecurity clearance must be covered by the importer or agent.  
See Guidance Document for more information about importer responsibilities . 
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 me asure 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 that the exporting country’s Competent Authority makes equivalence requests. 
Equivalence requests can be lodged with animal. imports@mpi.govt.nz . 
See Guidance Document  for more information about equivalence and permits . 
Transitional facility  
Any containers not intact on arrival will be required to be made secure before the consignment is moved to the 
transitional or containmen t facility. Any material which has leaked from the container will be destroyed at the 
port of entry.  
Following biosecurity authorisation being given, the hides an d skins (where applicable) will proceed directly to 
the transitional facility  named on the import permit. The facility must be approved to MPI’s Transitional Facility 
Standard for Animal Product s.  
The con signment must meet all the requirements noted in the general requirements  in Part 1 : Requirements , 
and must be processed to the requirements in Part 2 : Specified Requirements  for Identified Risk Or ganisms  
and in Schedule 3 : Processing Requirements at the T ransitional Facility , of this IHS in order to be eligible for 
biosecurity clearance.  
Biosecurity clearance  
A biosecurity clearance, under section 26 of the Act, may be issued when the hides and skins meet all the 
requirements of this IHS, provided the appl icable requirements of section 27 in the Act are met.  
Inspection  and verification  
On arrival, all documentation accompanying the consignment will be verified by an inspector.  
Import Health Standard : Hides and Skins  
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Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 5 of 15 See Guidance Document  for more information about  inspection and verification . 
Document  history  
Refer to Schedule 1.  
Other  information  
This is not an exhaustive list of compliance requirements and it is the importer’s responsibility to be familiar 
with and comply with all New Zealand laws.  
CITES  
It is the responsibility of the importer to ensure that the consignment is accompanied by any permit(s) required 
to meet the legislation of the country of origin and the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered 
Species (CITES) http://www.cites.org  . See the Department of Conservation for further details 
http://www.doc.govt.nz/about -doc/role/international/endangered -species/ .  
The importer is advised to clarify the status of the species of animal in relation to international agreements on 
their trade, prior to export. Material arriving in New Zealand without the relevant CITES permits may be 
subject to seizure by the New Zeal and Department of Conservation.  
Any requirement for CITES or other conservation -related documentation must be met by the 
exporter/importer.  
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 Single Window (TSW) portal.  
For more information about TSW please visit https://www.customs.govt.nz/business/trade -single -window/  
 
Import Health Standard : Hides and Skins  
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Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 6 of 15 Part 1:  Requirements  
1.1 Application  
(1) This import health standard ( IHS) applies  to: 
a) Fully tanned hides and skins  from all species . 
b) Processed hides and skins  from all species . 
c) Salted or dried hides and skins  from deer, l lamas, alpacas, emus, ostriches, sheep, cattle, 
buffalo, goats, pigs, horses and donkeys . 
d) Casualty skins.  
e) Hides and skins  from m acropods . 
(2) The following products are not eligible for importation under this IHS:  
a) Manufactured products containing fully tanned hides and skins (see IHS: Ornamental Products of 
Animal O rigin). 
b) Rawhide articles and handicrafts (see IHS: Ornamental Products of Animal Origin ). 
c) Animal fibre (see IHS: Animal Fibre ). 
 
Guidance  
• Samples of hides and skins for research or evaluation purposes can be imported  with a permit  
either under this IHS or the MPI , IHS: Biologi cal Products (Including Samples) from All Countries, 
BIOPRODIC.ALL  
 
1.2 Incorporation of material by reference  
(1) The following international standard is incorporated by reference in this IHS under section 142M of the 
Act: 
a) The OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code  (the Code ). 
(2) The following material is incorporated by reference in this IHS under section 142M of the Act:  
a) MPI Approved Diagnostic Tests, Vaccines, Treatments and Post -arrival Testing Laboratories for 
Animal Import Health Standards, MPI -STD-TVTL . 
b) OIE list of FMD -free countries: https://www.oie.int/en/animal -health -in-the-world/official -disease -
status/fmd/list -of-fmd-free-members/  
c) OIE list of CSF -free countries: https://www.oie.int/animal -health -in-the-world/official -disease -
status/classical -swine -fever/list -of-csf-free-member -countries/   
d) Australian Standard for the Hygienic Production of Game Meat for Human Consumption  
(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 above listed standards, guideline or lists h as legal effect as part of these documents.  
See Guidance Document  for more information about incorporation by reference and section 142O(1).  
1.3 Definitions  
(1) For the purposes of this standard, terms used that are defined in the Act have the meanings set out 
there. The Act is available at http://www.legislation.govt.nz/ . 
(2) See Schedule 2 for additional  defin itions  that apply . 
Import Health Standard : Hides and Skins  
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Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 7 of 15 1.4 Requirements for clearance  
(1) In order to obtain biosecurity clearance, hides and skins  from all countries must:  
a) Be free from soil, dirt, plant/seed material and arthropod pests . 
b) Meet the requirements of clause s 1.5-1.6 of Part 1  where  applicable, and the requirements in 
Part 2  specific to the commodity . 
c) Be accompanied by documentation  that meet s the requirements of clause 1.7 and  details the 
measures in Part 2  that the e xporting country will meet . 
1.5 Packaging  
(1) The consignment must be clearly identified and  (where applicable)  the identifier  must be stated on the 
veterinary cer tificate . 
(2) The packaging of all consignments of hides and skins must be  clean and secure . 
(3) The criteria to be applied to determine whether the outcome in clause (2) has been achieved are as 
follows:  
a) The exterior of the package is free from any organic contam inants . 
b) The hides and skins are adequately contained . 
1.6 Import permit  information  
(1) An import permit  under section 24D of the Act is required if:  
a) Specified  in this IHS. 
b) Prior to import, a CTO has approved an equivalent measure under section 27(1)(d) of the Act 
that is different from those in this IHS that may be applied to effectively manage risks.  
(2) A permit is not required if, prior to import, a CTO has approved an equiva lent measure under section 
27(1)(d) of the Act that is different from those in this IHS in the form of a negotiated veterinary 
certificate.  
 
Guidanc e 
• Completed applications can be submitted to Animal Imports animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz  
• Application forms can be found on the MPI website at: Application for Permit to Import Animal 
Products .  
• The application form should specify the name and address of the  transitional  facility in New 
Zealand to  which the consignment is to proceed following importation.  
1.7 The documentation that must accompany goods  
(1) When applicable, t he consignment must arrive in New Zealand with the documentation that is specified 
in, and me ets the requirements of, clauses 1. 7.1 to 1. 7.5 below.  
(2) All documentation tha t is required by this clause 1. 7 to accompany  consignments of  hides and skins  
must, unless otherwise stated:  
a) Be in English or have an English translation that is clear and legible.  
b) Be original.  
 
Import Health Standard : Hides and Skins  
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Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 8 of 15 (3) Documentation that is in a paper format must, unless otherwise stated, 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 pape r based alternative security features.  
(4) Documentation that is in an electronic format must, unless otherwise stated, be transmitted directly 
from the Competent Authority of the exporting country to MPI, using an electronic system approved by 
MPI for that p urpose.  
1.7.1 Import permit  
(1) An import permit (copy accep table) as required by clause 1. 6 (1). 
1.7.2 Veterinary certificate  
(1) A veterinary certificate from the exporting country’s Official Veterinarian. The veterinary certificate must 
include the following:  
a) A unique cons ignment identifier.  
b) The description, source species, and amount of product.  
c) Name and address of the importer (consignee) and exporter (consignor).  
d) Name, signature and contact details of the Official Veterinarian.  
e) Certification and endorsement by the Offici al Veterinarian that the general requirements outlined 
in Part 1 : Requirements  of this IHS have been met.  
f) Certification and endorsement by the Official Veterinarian that the relevant requirements outlined 
in Part 2: Specified Requirements for Identified Ri sk Organisms  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 Guidance Document  for more information about equivalence and country -specific veterinary 
certificates.  
 Import Health Standard : Hides and Skins  
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Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 9 of 15 Part 2:  Specified Requirements for Identified Risk Organisms  
2.1 Fully tanned hides and skins  
2.1.1 Documentation  
(1) No document ation  is required for fully tanned hides and skins . 
2.1.2 Requirem ents 
(1) Consignments of fully tanned hides and skins from any species may be imported from any country 
without specific requirements.  
2.2 Processed hides and skins  
2.2.1 Documentation  
(1) Consignments of processed hides and skins must be accompanied by the following documentation:  
a) A veterinary certificate certifying that the processed hides and skins meet  the requirements in 
clause 2.2.2  of this IHS. 
2.2.2 Requirements  
(1) Consignments of processed hides and skins must be treated according to species as follows : 
a) Pigs: 
i) A liming process at a pH e qual to or greater than 12.5 ; and/or  
ii) A pickling process in a solution of salt and mineral acid at a pH less than 3. 
b) All other specie s: 
i) A liming process at a pH equal to or greater than 12.5; and/or  
ii) A pickling process in a solution of salt and mineral acid at a pH equal to or  less than 4. 
2.3 Salted or dried hides and skins  from specified animals  
2.3.1 Documentation  
(1) Consignments of salted or dri ed hides and skins from specified animals ( see Schedule 2 for definition ) 
must be accompanied by the following documentation:  
a) A valid import permit . 
b) A veterinary certificate certifying that the salted or dried hides and skins meet the requirements in  
clause s 2.3.2( 1) and ( 2) of this IHS. 
2.3.2 Requirements  
(1) Consignments of salted or dried hides and skins must originate from animals  that have b een 
slaughtered in a government licensed processing establishment.  
(2) Consignments of salte d or dried hides and skins from specified animals  must meet the following 
requirements for the specified risk organisms : 
a) Anthrax requirements  (for ruminants, alpacas, llamas , horses,  donkeys  and pigs ): 
i) Salted or dried hides and skins must : Import Health Standard : Hides and Skins  
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Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 10 of 15 1) Originate from e stablishments that were not subject to restrictions imposed for the 
control of anthrax; and 
2) Originate from a nimals that have been slaughtered in a government -licensed 
processing establ ishment under the direct supervision of an official veterinarian, 
subjected to ante - and post -mortem inspection, and certified as fit for human 
consumption.  
b) Foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus requirements  (for ruminants, alpacas, llamas , and pigs ): 
i) Salted or dried hides and skins must o riginate  from a country that is officially free from 
FMD  in accordance with the  Code ; or  
ii) Be treated  for 28 days with salt containing 2% sodium carbonate.  
 
Guidance  for importing hides and skins from pigs  
• For the purp oses of this IHS, the following applies : 
− OIE list of FMD -free countries:  https://www.oie.int/en/animal -health -in-the-world/official -
disease-status/fmd/list -of-fmd-free-members/  
 
(3) Salted or dried hides and skins must be directed on arrival by an inspector to the transitional facility 
listed on the import permit . While in the transitional facility the hides and skins must be processed in 
accordance with Schedule 3 of this IHS. 
2.4 Casualty  (slink) skins  
2.4.1 Documentation  
(1) Consignments of casualty  (slink)  skins (see Schedule 2 for definition ) must be accompanied by the 
following documentation:  
a) A valid import permit . 
b) A veterinary certificate certifying that the casualty  skins meet the requirements in  clause 2.4.2(1)  
of this IHS. 
2.4.2 Requirements  
(1) Consignments of casualty (slink) skins must meet the following requirements for the specified risk 
organisms:   
a) Anthrax requiremen ts: 
i) Originate from establishments that were not subject to restrictions imposed for the control 
of anthrax.  
b) FMD  requirements:  
i) Originate from a country that is officially free from FMD in accordance with the Code ; or 
ii) Treated for 28 days with salt containing  2% sodium carbonate.  
(2) Casualty skins must be directed on arrival by an inspector to the transitional facility listed on the import 
permit . While in the transitional facility the skins must be processed in accordance with Schedule 3 of 
this IHS. 
Import Health Standard : Hides and Skins  
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Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 11 of 15 2.5 Macropod hides and skins  
2.5.1 Documentation  
(1) Consignments of macropod  (see Schedule 2 for definition ) hides  and skins must be accompanied by 
the following documentation:  
a) A valid import permit . 
b) A veterinary certificate certifying that the macropod  hides and skins  meet the requirements in  
clause 2.5.2(3) of this IHS. 
2.5.2 Requirements  
(1) Consignments of macropod hides and skins may only be imported from Australia.  
(2) Consignments of macropod hides and skins may be salted, dried, fresh, frozen or chilled.  
(3) Consignments of macropod hides and skins must meet the following requirements for the specified risk 
organism:  
a) Anthrax requirements:  
i) Originate from establishments that were not subject to restrictions imp osed for the control 
of anthrax; or  
ii) Originate from a nimals that have been processed under the Australian Standard for the 
Hygienic Production of Game Meat for Human Consumption  and have passed a post -
mortem inspection in a government -licensed processing establishment.  
(4) Macropod hides and skins must be direct ed on arrival by an inspector to the transitional facility listed 
on their import permit . While in the transitional facility the skins must be processed in accordance with 
Schedule 3 of this IHS.  
  Import Health Standard : Hides and Skins  
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Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 12 of 15 Schedule 1 – Document History  
Date First Issued  Title Shortcode  
30 June 2011  Import Health Standard: Hides and Skins  HIDCOMIC.ALL  
Date of Issued A mendments  Title Shortcode  
7 August 2015  Import Health Standard: Hides and Skins  HIDESKIN.ALL  
22 July 2020 (Internal Consultation)  Import Health Standard: Hides and Skins  HIDESKIN.ALL  
24 September 2020  
(External Consultation)  Import Health Standard: Hides and Skins  HIDESKIN.ALL  
 Import Health Standard : Hides and Skins  
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Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 13 of 15 Schedule 2 – Definitions  
Casualty Skin  
A skin derived from a lamb or calf up to the age of 6 months that has died of natural causes, also known as a 
slink skin.   
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 . 
CTO Direction  
Chief Technical Officer (CTO) Direction - equivalent measures recorded by number under section 27(1)d(iii) of 
the Act, to enable border staff to clear the goods and record the number in the MPI database . 
Fully Tanned Hides and Skins  
Hides and skins that have undergone a full tanning process so that they are preserved from putrescence and 
are thermally stable and are ready for use in a manufactured product.  
 
Hides and skins can be tanned using a variety of methods. The many processes involved in tanning are 
explained in  MPI’s risk analys is docume nt for hides and skins . See also wet blues, browns and whites below.  
Import Permit  
A permit issued by the Director -General of MPI pursuant to section 24D(2) of the Act.  
Liming  
The process  of soaking hides and skins in alkali solution in order to loosen ha ir/wool, fat, flesh, etc., removing 
interfibrillary material and “plumping up” the skin ready for tanning.  
Macropod  
A species from the marsupial family Macropodidiae  which  includes kangaroos, wallabies and wallaroos.  
MPI 
Ministry for Primary Industries .  
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 con formity with the provisions of the OIE  Code  Chapter for certification procedures . 
OIE 
The World Organisation for Animal Health . 
Pickling  
The process of soaking a hide or skin in an acid based solution in preparation for tanning.   
Processed Hides and Skins  Import Health Standard : Hides and Skins  
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Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 14 of 15 Hides and skins that have been pickled or limed, this includes wet whit es, wet blues, and wet browns.  
Salted or Dried Hides and Skins  from Specified Animals  
Hides and skins that have been air dried or dry/wet salted  derived from the following farmed anim als: alpacas, 
buffalo, cattle, deer, emus, goats, horses, donkeys, llamas, ostriches, pigs, and sheep.  
The Code  
The OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code as found on the OIE website .    
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 . 
Wet Blue  
Wet blue hides have been tanned with a chromium salt, which imparts its ch aracteristic colour. It  is thermally 
stable but not usable in this form, requiring further tanning (retanning) before being suitable for end -use. 
Wet Brown  
Wet brown hides have been tanned with a vegetable tanning agent or agents, which imparts its charact eristic 
colour. It  is thermally stable but not usable in this form, requiring further tanning (retanning) before being 
suitable for end -use. 
Wet White  
Wet white hides have been tanned with various organic and/or inorganic agents, which leave it white in co lour. 
It is thermally stable but not usable in this form, requiring further tanning (retanning) before being suitable for 
end-use. Import Health Standard : Hides and Skins  
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Ministry for Primary Industries    Page 15 of 15 Schedule 3 – Processing Requirements at the Transitional 
Facility  
(1) This schedule  applies to consignments of hides and skins im ported to New Zealand that have been 
authorised to be moved for further processing at the transitional facility listed on the import permit . 
(2) While in the transitional facility, and prior to processing, imported hides and skins must  be clearly 
marked, store d, and handled in accordance with the MPI  Transitional Facility Standard  for Animal 
Products , issued under section 39(1) of the Act (or any standard that replaces that standard) . 
(3) While in the transitional facility, the facility operator must ensure that the hides and skins are 
processed (limed  and/or pickled ) in accordance with clause 2.2.2  of this IHS.  
(4) The facility operator must ensure that all  trimmings and solid waste associated with  hides and skins 
are treated, destroyed or disposed of at an approved transitional facility by: 
a) Rendering; or  
b) Incineration; or  
c) Deep burial.  
(5) The facility operator must ensure that a ll packaging that has been in contact with hides and skins is 
destroyed or disposed of at an approved transitional facility by: 
a) Incineration . 
(6) The facility operator must ensure that a ll effluent generated during processing is: 
a) Discharged into a municipal se wage system; or  
b) Discharged into a securely fenced and isolated soak -pit; or  
c) Treated with a  biocide  that is listed in the standard known as MPI Approved Diagnostic Tests, 
Vaccines, Treatments and Post -arrival Testing Laboratories for Animal Import Health Standards, 
MPI-STD-TVTL .