Import Health Standard  
 
Poultry Hatching Eggs & 
Specific -Pathogen -Free 
Chicken Eggs  
COMEGIC.GEN  
24 July 2015  
 
An import health standard issued under  the Biosecurity Act 1993  Import Health Standard :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  1 of 21 TITLE  
Import Health Standard :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
COMMENCEMEN T 
This Import Health Standard  comes into force on . 
ISSUING AUTHORITY  
This import health standard is issued under section 24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993 . 
 
Dated at Wellington this 24th day of July  2015  
 
 
 
 
 
Howard Pharo  
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)  
Regulation & Assurance   
Animal Imports  
PO Box 2526   
Wellington 6140  
Email:  animalimports@mpi.govt.nz  
 
 
 
 Import Health Standard :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  2 of 21 Contents  Page 
Introduction  3 
Part 1:  Requirements  5 
1.1 Application  5 
1.2 Applicatio n 5 
1.3 The outcome this IHS is seeking to achieve  5 
1.4 Incorporation of material by reference  6 
1.5 Definitions  6 
1.6 Exporting country systems and certification  6 
1.7 Diagnostic testing and vaccination  7 
1.8 Inspection  7 
1.9 Labelling and packaging  8 
1.10  Pre-export isolation  8 
1.11  Treatment requirements  8 
1.12  Transport  8 
1.13 Permit to import  9 
1.13  The documentation that must accompany goods  9 
1.14  Biosecurity direction  10 
1.15  Post-arrival quarantine  10 
1.16  Biosecurity clearance  10 
Part 2:  Specified Requirements for Identified Risk Organisms  11 
2.1 Clinical inspection [all poultry]  11 
2.2 Avian influenza (AI) [all poultry]  11 
2.3 Avian paramyxoviruses type 1 (APMV -1), Newcastle disease (ND) [all poultry ] 12 
2.4 Salmonella enterica sub species enterica serovar Gallinarum -Pullorum, Salmonella 
Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium [all poultry]  12 
2.5 Salmonella arizonae  [turkeys only]  12 
2.6 Mycoplasma [turkeys only]  13 
2.7 Duck virus enteritis (DVE) [ducks only]  13 
2.8 Goose parvovirus and Muscovy duck parvovirus [ducks only]  13 
2.9 Reovirus of Muscovy ducks [ducks only]  14 
2.10  Avian chlamydiosis [ducks only]  14 
Schedule 1 – Document History  15 
Schedule 2 – Definitions  16 
Schedule 3 – Compartment and Zone Requirements  19 
Schedule 4 – Post -Arrival Quarantine  20 
 
 
 Import Health Standard :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  3 of 21 Introduction  
This introduction is not part of the legal requirements of this import health standard  (IHS), but is intended to  
indicate its general effect.  
Purpose  
(1) This IHS specifies  the minimum requirements that must be met when importing  poultry hatching eggs 
and specific -pathogen -free (SPF) chicken eggs.  
Backgro und 
(1) The Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) provides the legal basi s for excluding, eradicating and effectively 
managing pests and unwanted organisms.  
(2) Import health standards  issued under the Act set out requirements to be met to effectively manage 
biosecurity risks associated with importing goods. They include requiremen ts that must be met in the 
exporting country, during transit, and during importation, before biosecurity clearance can be given.  
(3) A guidance document accompanies this standard providing information on how the requirements may 
be met.  
Who should read thi s import health standard ? 
(1) Importers of poultry hatching eggs and SPF chicken eggs.  
Why is this important ? 
(1) It is the importer’s responsibility to ensure the requirements of this IHS are met. Consignments that do 
not comply with the requirements of this IHS may not be cleared for entry into New Zealand and/or 
further information may be sought from importers. Consignments that do not comply with the 
requirements of this IHS may be re -shipped or destroyed under the Act or treated in accordance with 
this IHS  prior to release or equivalence determined. Importers are liable for all associated expenses.  
See guidance document for more information about importer responsibilities.  
Equivalence  
(1) The Chief Technical Officer (CTO) may approve measures under section 27(1)(d) of the Act, different 
from those set out in this IHS, that may be applied to effectively manage risks associated with the 
importation of  these goods.   
See guidance document for more information about equivalence and permits . 
Document history  
(1) Refer to Schedule 1.  
Biosecurity clearance  
(1) A biosecurity clearance, under section 26 of the Act, may be issued when the poultry hatching eggs 
and SPF chicken eggs  meet all the requirements of this IHS, provided the applicable requirements of 
the section 27  of the Act are  met. 
Other information  Import Health Standard :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  4 of 21 (1) 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.  
See guidance document for more information about inspection and verification of consignments . Import Health Standard :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  5 of 21 Part 1:  Requirements  
 
1.1 Application  
(1) This import health standard ( IHS) applies to : 
a) hatching eggs of chickens ( Gallus gallus ), turkeys ( Meleagris gallopavo ) and ducks ( Anas 
platyrhynchos domesticus  and Cairina moscha ta), sourced from poultry breeding flocks 
compliant with the standards described in the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) 
Terrestrial Animal Health Code  (the Code ), Chapter on Biosecurity Procedures in Poultry 
Production ; and  
b) specific -pathogen -free (SPF) eggs of chickens ( Gallus gallus ) produced by flocks free from 
specified pathogens. The flocks supplying SPF eggs must be kept under secure biosecurity 
controls at least equivalent to those required for breeders in the Code  Chap ter on Biosecurity in 
Poultry . 
(2) This IHS applies to imports of poultry hatching eggs and SPF chicken eggs from all countries.  
1.2 The outcome this IHS is seeking to achieve  
(1) The outcome this IHS is seeking to achieve is the effective management of biosecurity ri sks associated 
with eligib le consignments of poultry hatching eggs and SPF chicken eggs . 
(2) The biosecurity risk o rganisms associated with poultry hatching eggs and SPF chicken eggs  that are 
managed by the requirements of this IHS are:  
a) For chicken hatching eg gs: 
i) Notifiable avian influenza (NAI) viruses  
ii) Type 1 avian paramyxoviruses (Newcastle disease virus)  
iii) Salmonella  Gallinarum -Pullorum  
iv) Salmonella  Enteritidis and Salmonella  Typhimurium  
b) For turkey hatching eggs:  
i) Avian influenza viruses  
ii) Type 1 avian paramyxovir uses (Newcastle disease virus)  
iii) Salmonella  Gallinarum -Pullorum  
iv) Salmonella  Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium  
v) Salmonella  arizonae  
vi) Mycoplasma iowae  
vii) Mycoplasma meleagridis  
c) For duck hatching eggs:  
i) Avian influenza viruses  
ii) Type 1 avian paramyxoviruses (Newcastle disease virus)  
iii) Salmonella  Gallinarum -Pullorum  
iv) Salmonella  Enteritidis and Salmonella  Typhimurium  
v) Duck virus enteritis (DVE) virus  
vi) Goose and Muscovy duck parvoviruses (Muscovy ducks and their hybrid breeds only)  
vii) Reovirus  of Muscovy ducks (Muscovy ducks and their hybrid breeds only)  
viii) Chlamydia psittaci  Import Health Standard :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
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Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  6 of 21 1.3 Incorporation of material by reference  
(1) The following international standards are incorporated by reference in this IHS under section 142M of 
the Act:  
a) The World Organisation  for Animal Health (OIE) Manual  of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for 
Terrestrial Animals  (the Manual ) (available at the OIE website : http://www.oie.int/inte rnational -
standard -setting/terrestrial -manual/access -online/ ). 
b) The OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code  (the Code ) (available at the OIE Website:  
http://www.oie.int/international -standard -setting/terrestrial -code/access -online/ ). 
c) The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animals Regulations (LAR) : a copy is 
available for reading, free of charge, at MPI, Pastoral House, 25 The Terrace, Wellington.  
(2) The following MPI CTO  material is  incorporated by reference in this IHS under section 142M of the Act:  
a) MPI Approved Diagnostic Tests, Vaccines, Treatments and Post -arrival Testing Laboratories for 
Animal Import Health Standards (MPI -STD-TVTL) . 
(3) Under section 142O(3) of the Act it is declared 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 o r 
replaces the above listed standards, guideline or lists has legal effect as part of these documents.  
See guidance document for more information about incorporation by reference and section 142O(1).  
1.4 Definitions  
(1) For the purposes of this IHS and the atta ched guidance document, terms used that are defined in the 
Act have the meanings set out there. The Act is available at the following website: 
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/ .  
(2) See schedule 2 for additional  definitions that apply .  
1.5 Exporting country systems and certification  
(1) Poultry hatching eggs and SPF chicken eggs  to which this IHS applies may only be imported from a 
country where the Competent Authority has provided the following evidence to the satisfac tion of the 
CTO:  
a) The verifiable animal health status of poultry  populations in the exporting country, zone or 
compartment, with respect to biosecurity risk organisms of concern.  
b) The national systems/programmes and standards in the exporting country for re gulatory 
oversight of the poultry  industry.  
c) The capabilities and preferences of the exporting country’s Competent Authority with respect to 
achieving equivalent outcomes to requirements stated in this IHS.  
See guidance document for more information about  countries with CTO approved exporting systems 
that meet the requirements above.  
(2) Once satisfied, MPI and the Competent Authority may commence negotiation of a country -specific 
veterinary certificat e. 
See guidance document for more information about country -specific veterinary certificates that have 
been agreed for trade.  
(3)  Requirements in Part 2 may be met by a specific disease -free compartment or zone endorsed by the 
Competent Authority. Any specific disease free compartment or zone must meet the requiremen ts in 
Schedule  3 of this IHS.  Import Health Standard :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  7 of 21 MPI reserves the right to perform an in -country or desk -top audit at any time, including prior to the first 
shipment of ruminant meat and ruminant  meat products.  
1.6 Diagnostic testing and vaccination  
(1) Any laboratory conducting the  pre-export and/or surveillance testing where required by this  IHS must 
be approved by the Competent Authority of a country approved to export  the product  to New Zealand.  
(2) Laboratory samples must be collected, processed, and stored in accordance with the 
recommendations in the Code  and/or the Manual  or as described in MPI -STD-TVTL.  
(3) Diagnostic test(s) and vaccines used must be approved by MPI and listed in MPI -STD-TVTL.  
(4) Where flock testing options are used to satisfy specified requirements for i dentified risk organisms 
(Part 2), sampling of birds for diagnostic testing must be randomised, and representative of the flock 
from which the product is derived. The  samples must be collected under the supervision of the Official 
Veterinarian. The sample size selected must be sufficiently large to give 95% confidence of detecting 
infection where there is  at least 5% prevalence in the flock , unless otherwise stated.  
See guidance document for more information about diagnostic tests and vaccines for internati onal 
trade.  
1.7 Inspection  
1.7.1 Poultry hatching eggs  
(1) For pre-export  inspection : 
a) The parent flock must be inspected by an Official Veterinarian within 28 days of commencement 
of collection of eggs for export. This inspection must be carried out once the birds are h oused in 
the premise where egg collection will take place.  
b) An officer approved by the Competent Authority must inspect the consignment within 48 hours 
pre-shipment and verify that the consignment and accompanying documentation meets all the 
requirements of  this import health standard.  
(2) For post -arrival inspection:  
a) Post-arrival inspection of packaging and document verification is required by an Inspector at the 
port of arrival.  
b) An Official Veterinarian must complete a full inspection of consignments of poultry hatching eggs 
and accompanying documentation once it is in the transitional facility.  
1.7.2 SPF eggs  
(1) For pre -export inspection:  
a) The parent flock must have been held, under supervision of an Official Veterinarian, for at least 
28 days immediately prior to  the scheduled date of export in isolation facilities approved by the 
exporting country’s Competent Authority.  
b) Any deaths or illnesses must have been investigated by an Official Veterinarian or by a 
registered veterinarian under the supervision of the Offi cial Veterinarian.  
(2) For p ost-arrival inspection:  
a) Veterinary certificat e inspection required by an I nspector at port of arrival in New Zealand.  Import Health Standard :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  8 of 21 1.8 Labelling and packaging  
(1) The consignment must be clearly identified and identifiable to the veterinary certificate;  and 
1.8.1 Poultry hatching eggs  
(1) Must be placed in a spill proof container and sealed into clean and disinfected crates, using an official 
seal attached by an Official Veterinarian of the country of origin before departure . 
1.8.2 SPF eggs  
(1) The Official V eterinarian must confirm  after due enquiry that the eggs were placed into clean spill proof 
containers and sealed into clean and disinfected crates inside the facilities before dispatch.  
1.9 Pre-export isolation  
(1) The parent flock must be kept in a country, zone or compartment  free of the risk organisms, as 
described in Part 2 of this IHS, for at least 21 days prior to  collection of eggs for export.   
(2) Parent birds must be kept isolated from all other birds, as described in the Code Chapter on 
biosecurity procedures for poultry.  
1.10 Treatment requirements  
(1) The eggs must be clean when collected, unwashed and have intact (uncracked ) shells .  
(2) They must be collected separately from dirty and broken or cracked eggs .  
(3) Hatching eggs must be cleaned and sanitised as soon as possible after collection using an approved 
sanitising agent, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, or equivalent. Details of the 
treatment must be attached to the veterinary certificate.  
1.11 Transport  
(1) Details of transport and arrival times of the eggs must be supplied to an Inspector and/or Official 
Veterinarian at the port of entry not less than 7 days in advance of importation.  
(2) Transport containers must meet the design and species specifica tion published in the International Air 
Transport Association (IATA) Live Animals Regulations (LAR),  unless otherwise agreed by MPI.  
(3) The vehicle which the  eggs are to be transported to the port of departure in must be cleaned and 
disinfected. The date of treatment, the chemical(s) used, and the active ingredients must be appended 
to the veterinary certificate.  
(4) During transport to the port of departure, and during transit o r stopovers en route to New Zealand, 
hatching eggs must only be transported or stored with animals of equivalent health status.  
(5) Eggs transiting a third country en route to New Zealand must receive MPI approval prior to export. MPI 
approval and any special  conditions must be noted on the import permit .  
Containers made of timber must be inspected by an authorised Inspector at the arrival port and must 
comply with the IHS: Woodw are from All Countries . Import Health Standard :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  9 of 21 1.13 Permit to import  
(1) A permit to import is required. Applications must be submitted to MPI prior to importation.  
(2) The importer must supply the following information to obtain a permit:  
a) The name and address of exporter.  
b) The number, sex, age, species and mi crochip transponder identification of the animal.  
c) The date of proposed importation.  
d) The name and address of the transitional facility in New Zealand to which the consignment is to 
proceed following importation.  
e) The port of arrival, and route and means of t ransport to the transitional facility.  
f) A letter from the authorised Supervisor of the post -arrival quarantine, stating that the facility 
meets the facility approval requirements of MPI Standard  154.02.05 Standard for Avian 
Transitional Facilities and is ab le to accept the proposed number of hatching eggs to be imported 
on the proposed import date.  
(3) Permit to import application forms can be found on the MPI website at: https://mpi.govt.nz/document -
vault/2691 .  
(4) Completed applications can be submitted to Animal Imports animalimports@mpi.govt.nz.  
1.12 The documentation that must accompany goods  
(1) Poultry hatching eggs and SPF chicken eggs  must arrive in New Zealand with:  
a) A permi t to import (copy acceptable).  
b) A veterinary certificate, that must include all of the following:  
i) a unique consignment identifier  
ii) the description,  species, and number of eggs  
iii) the name  and address of the importer (cons ignee) and exporter (consignor)  
iv) the name, signature and contact detai ls of the Official Veterinarian  
v) certification and endorsements that the requirements outlined in Part 1 and Part 2 of this 
IHS have been met  
vi) the name of diagnostic test(s), treatments and vaccines used to meet this IHS, and  date of 
application to the parent  flock 
c) Original laboratory reports; copies of laboratory reports endorsed by the Official Veterinarian; or a 
tabulated summary of laboratory results endorsed by the Official Veterinarian must include:  
i) the relevant risk or ganism tested for  
ii) sample size   
iii) dates of sample collection  
iv) test type  
v) test result  
d) Vaccination records , that are attached to the veterinary certificate and include:  
i) details of any vaccination of the parent flock  as required in part 2 of the IHS  
ii) date of administration  
iii) name and nature of vaccine . 
(2) A country -specific veterinary certificate must accompany the consignment where equivalent measures 
have been negotiated and approved by a CTO under section 27(1)(d) of the Act.  
See guidance document for more info rmation about equivalence and country -specific veterinary 
certificates.  Import Health Standard :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  10 of 21 (3) A separate veterinary certificate must be supplied for each parent  flock from which the eggs for export 
are sourced.  
(4) All documents  must:  
a) be origin al, unless otherwise stated  
b) accompan y the imported goods  
c) be in English or have an English translatio n that is clear and legible  
d) be endorsed on every page by the Official Veterinarian with their original stamp, signature and 
date or be endorsed in the space allocated and all pages have paper based alternative security 
features  (except for the permit to import ) 
(5) Documentation copies must be sent to the Biosecurity Inspector at the airport/port of arrival at least 
one working day in advance of importation.  
1.13 Biosecurity direction  
(1) Upon arrival in N ew Zealand, an Inspector must inspect the consignment to ensure the packaging is 
intact and the accompanying documentation is as described in clause  1.12. An Official Veterinarian will 
complete a full inspection of poultry hatching egg consignments and accompanying documentation 
once they are in the transitional facility.  
(2) Providing the documentation meets all requirements listed in clause  1.12, an MPI Inspector under 
section 25 of the Act, may give a biosecurity direction authorising the consignment to b e moved to the 
approved avian or biological transitional facility named in the import permit . 
1.14 Post -arrival quarantine  
(1) Poultry hatching eggs must be incubated,  hatched and  the hatchlings be raised in a transitional facility 
approved and supervised  by the a uthorised Supervisor to MPI Standard 154.02.05 Standard fo r Avian 
Transitional Facilities . Consignments must comply with post -arrival quarantine (PAQ) requirements as 
described in Schedule 4 . 
(2) SPF eggs  may be used within a transitional facility approved to MPI Standard 154.02.17 Transitional 
Facilities for Biological Products ; and operate at a minimum phys ical containment level 2 (PC2). The 
eggs and any resultant chickens shall remain in the transitional facility and be destroyed at the 
conclusion of the work, t riple bagged and incinerated. Alternatively  SPF eggs may be hatched in an 
Avian Transitional Facility (154.02.05)  and released as per the requirements for poultry hatching eggs 
in (1) above.  
See gui dance document for more information about post -arrival quarantine sampling and testing 
protocols.  
1.15 Biosecurity clearance  
(1) No clearance shall be issued for SPF eggs, products derived from those eggs or any resultant 
chickens held in a 154.02.17 Transitional Facilities for Biological Products.  
 
 Import Health Standard :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  11 of 21 Part 2:  Specified Requirements for Identified Risk Organisms  
(1) The Competent Authority of the exporting country is required to issue a signed, stamped and dated 
veterinary certificate containing declarations regarding the follow ing diseases:  
2.1 Clinical inspection [all poultry]  
(1) For poultry hatching eggs:  
a) Within the 28 days prior to the commencement of collection of the eggs, the birds in the parent 
flock must have been inspected and found to be free of clinical evidence of infectious disease.  
b) The parent flock must be compliant with the standards described  in the Code  Chapter on 
biosecurity procedures in poultry production.  
c) The inspection must be undertaken in the premise the birds will be housed in during the egg 
collection period.  
(2) For SPF eggs:  
a) The parent flock must have been held, under supervision of a n Official Veterinarian, for at least 
28 days immediately prior to the scheduled date of export in isolation facilities approved by the 
exporting countries Competent Authority.  
b) Any deaths or illnesses must have been investigated by an Official Veterinaria n. 
2.2 Avian influenza (AI) [all poultry]  
(1) The eggs for export must be derived from parent flocks : 
a)  With a vaccination status of  either : 
i) Not vaccinated for avian influenza; or  
ii) Vaccinated for avian influenza in accordance with the provisions of the Manual  and th e 
nature of the vaccine used and the date of vaccination have b een attached to the 
veterinary certificate; and  either  b) or c) must apply  
b) That have been resident for at least the 21 days before, and during, egg collection in a country, 
zone or compartment that was free from AI, with current Code  surveillance requirements being 
met for avian influenza; or 
c) Demonstrated to be free from infection  with AI by testing a statistically valid sample, selected in 
accordance with the Code’s recommended Surveillance Strategies , with a test for AI listed in 
MPI-STD-TVTL, within the 21 days prior to commencement of egg collection and at a maximum 
of 21 day i ntervals during the egg collection period . 
 
Important information for importers  
24 July  2015 
Avian Influenza Outbreaks  
There have been recent outbreaks of avian influenza in the United Kingdom , Canada  and the United States 
of America . 
Until these outbreaks are resolved these countries are unable to declare country freedom from avian 
influenza.  
MPI will accept the statements agreed on the United Kingdom’s sample veterinary certificate regarding 
Zones or Compartments free from avian infl uenza and the statements on Canada’s veterinary certificate  
regarding zones free of avian influenza.  Import Health Standard :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  12 of 21 2.3 Avian paramyxoviruses type 1 (APMV -1), Newcastle disease (ND) 
[all poultry]  
(1) The eggs for export must be derived from parent floc ks: 
a) With a vaccination status of  either : 
i) Not vaccinated for APMV -1; or 
ii) Vaccinated for APMV -1 using an inactivated vaccine; and/or 
iii) Vaccinated with a live, lentogenic, APMV -1 vaccine strain, in accordance with the 
provisions of the Manual , and the nature of the vaccine used and th e date of vaccination 
have been attached to the veterinary certificate. The master seed virus for the vaccine 
used must have an intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI) <0.4 ; and either  b) or c) must 
apply . 
b) That have been resident for at least the 21 days before, and during, egg collection in a country, 
zone or compartment that was free from Newcastle disease (as defined in the Code ) with current 
ND Code  surveillance requirements being met ; or 
c) Demonstrated to be free from infection with APMV -1 by carrying out testing on a statistically valid 
sample, selected in accordance with the Code ’s Surveillance Strategies , with a test listed in MPI -
STD-TVTL, within the 21 days prior to commencement of egg c ollection and at  a maximum of  21 
day intervals d uring the egg collection period . 
2.4 Salmonella enterica sub species enterica serovar Gallinarum -
Pullorum, Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium [all 
poultry]  
(1) The eggs for export must be derived from parent flocks in a country, zone or compartment free from 
Salmonella  Gallinarum -Pullorum, Salmonella  Enteritidis and Salmonella  Typhimurium as demonstrated 
by surveillance, conducted in accordance with the Code  requirements for monitoring poultry breeding 
flocks for Salmonella , and approved by  an MPI  CTO ; or 
(2) The eggs for export must be derived from a parent flock certified as free from Salmonella  Gallinarum -
Pullorum, Salmonella  Enteritidis and Salmonella  Typhimu rium. Flock monitoring must have been 
carried out in accordance with the Code  requirements for monitoring poultry breeding flocks for 
Salmonella .  
2.5 Salmonella arizonae  [turkeys only]  
(1) The turkey hatching eggs must be:  
a) Derived from parent flocks in a country,  zone or compartment free from Salmonella  arizonae  as 
demonstrated by surveillance, conducted in accordance with the Code  requirements for 
monitoring poultry breeding flocks for Salmonella , and approved by an MPI  CTO ; or 
b) Derived from a parent flock certifi ed free from Salmonella  arizonae . Flock monitoring must have 
been carried out in accordance with the Code  requirements for monitoring poultry breeding flocks 
for Salmonella ; or 
c) Derived from parent f locks demonstrated to be free from  Salmonella  arizonae  by testing a 
statistically valid, randomly selected  sample of turkeys  within the 7 day period before collection of 
the hatching eggs commenced with  an approved diagnostic test  listed in the MPI document  
MPI-STD-TVTL . Import Health Standard :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
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Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  13 of 21 2.6 Mycoplasma [turkeys only]  
(1) For Mycoplasma iowae : 
a) The eggs for export must be derived from parent flocks in a country where Mycoplasma iowae is 
not recognised to be present; or  
b) Ten percent (10%) of the birds in the parent flock must be subjected , with negative results* in 
each case,   to cloacal swa b culture for Mycoplasma iowae  within the 28 days prior to 
commencement of collection of eggs for export and the flock must have a negative test history  for 
Mycoplasma iowae ; or 
c) The turkey hatching eggs must be derived from a parent flock  demonstrated to b e free from 
Mycoplasma iowae  by carrying out testing  on a statistically valid sample with a test listed in 
MPI-STD-TVTL  within the 2 8 days prior to commencement of collection of eggs for export.  
(2) For Mycoplasma meleagridis : 
a) The eggs for export must be derived from parent flocks in a country where Mycoplasma 
meleagridis is not recognised to be present; or  
b) The turkey hatching eggs must be derived from a parent flock demonstrated to be free from 
Mycoplasma meleagridis  by testing  a statistically valid sample of the flock with a test listed in 
MPI-STD-TVTL within the 28 days prior to commencement of collection of eggs for export; or  
c) The turkey hatching eggs must be derived from a parent flock  demonstrated to be free from 
Mycoplasma  meleagridis with testing undertaken  in accordance with a Competent A uthority 
supervised poultry health scheme with consistently negative results for the past 12 months . 
Testing must be carried out on a statistically valid sample , with a test listed in MPI -STD-TVTL.  
*In the case of positive or inconclusive results, a further sample must be taken and retested by a test 
listed in MPI -STD-TVTL at a Competent Authority approved laboratory. Any bird positive to this test 
must be subject to post mortem and bacte riological examination and show no evidence of Mycoplasma 
infection . 
2.7  Duck virus enteritis (DVE) [ducks only]  
(1) The duck hatching eggs for export must be derived from a parent flock not vaccinated for DVE; and  
a) The duck hatching eggs must be derived from a parent flock in a country where DVE is not 
recognised; or  
b) The duck hatching eggs must be derived from parent flocks demonstrated free from DVE by 
testing a statistically valid sample of the flock with a test  for DVE  listed in MPI -STD-TVTL  within 
the 2 1 days prior to the commencement of collection of eggs for export.   
2.8 Goose parvovirus and Muscovy duck parvovirus [ducks only]  
(1) The duck hatching eggs must be from breeds other than Muscovy duck ( Cairina moshata ) and their 
hybrids;  or 
(2) The Muscovy duck hatchi ng eggs (or hybrid Muscovy duck hatching eggs) must be derived from a 
parent flock in a country where  Muscovy duck parvovirus and goose parvovirus  is not recognised; or   
(3) The Muscovy duck hatching eggs (or hybrid Muscovy duck hatching eggs) must be derived from an 
establishment that has maintained a closed flock with a negative surveillance history  for goose 
parvovirus and Muscovy duck parvovirus for the past 3 years. The parent flock must be demonstrated 
free from goose parvovirus and Muscovy duck parvoviru s by testing a statistically valid sample of the 
flock with a test for goose parvovirus and Muscovy duck parvovirus listed in MPI -STD-TVTL  within the 
21 days  prior to the commencement of collection of eggs for export.  Import Health Standard :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  14 of 21 2.9 Reovirus of Muscovy ducks [ducks only]  
(1) The duck hatching eggs must be from breeds other than Muscovy duck ( Cairina moshata ) and their 
hybrids; or  
(2) The Muscovy duck hatching eggs (or hybrid Muscovy duck hatching eggs) must be derived from a 
parent flock in a country where  duck reovirus (DRV ) has not been recognised; or  
(3) The Muscovy duck hatching eggs (or hybrid Muscovy duck hatching eggs) must be imported from an 
establishment that has maintained a closed flock with a negative surveillance history  for reovirus of 
Muscovy ducks for the past 3 years . The parent flock must be demonstrated free from reovirus of 
Muscovy ducks by testing a statistically valid sample of the flock with a test for DRV listed in 
MPI-STD-TVTL within the 21 days prior to the commencement of collection of eggs for export.  
2.10 Avian  chlamydiosis [ducks only]  
(1) The duck hatching eggs must be derived from parent flocks in a country where Chlamydia psittaci 
(serovar C and E)  in ducks is not recognised; or  
(2) The duck hatching eggs must be derived  from parent flocks  which are kept as closed f locks with a 
negative surveillance history for Chlamydia psittaci .  
a) The parent flock must be demonstrated free from Chlamydia psittaci  by testing a statistically valid 
sample of the flock with a test for Chlamydia psittaci  listed in MPI -STD-TVTL  within the  21 days 
prior to the commencement of collection of eggs for export.  
b) The sample size must be sufficient to detect 10% prevalence with 99% confidence. Post arrival 
quarantine testing is required as per Schedule 4. 
  Import Health Standard :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  15 of 21 Schedule 1 – Document History  
Date First Issued  Title Shortcode  
5 February 2013  Poultry Hatching Eggs and Specific -Pathogen -
Free Chicken Eggs  COMEGIC.GEN  
Date of Issued A mendments  Title Shortcode  
12 July 2013  Poultry Hatching Eggs and Specific -Pathogen -
Free Chicken Eggs  COMEGIC.GEN  
29 July 2013  Poultry Hatching Eggs and Specific -Pathogen -
Free Chicken Eggs  COMEGIC.GEN  
August  2014  Poultry Hatching Eggs and Specific -Pathogen -
Free Chicken Eggs  COMEGIC.GEN  
October 2014  Poultry Hatching Eggs and Specific -Pathogen -
Free Chicken Eggs  COMEGIC.GEN  
December 2014  Poultry Hatching Eggs and Specific -Pathogen -
Free Chicken Eggs  COMEGIC.GEN  
July 2015  Poultry Hatching Eggs and Specific -Pathogen -
Free Chicken Eggs  COMEGIC.GEN  
 Import Health Standard :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  16 of 21 Schedule  2 – Definitions  
Approved Countries  
Countries from which New Zealand enables imports of a particular commodity. The countries must be 
included in the scope of the most recent import risk analysis/assessment for the commodity and be 
specifically approved by MPI . 
Biosecurity Authority  
Written authority from an I nspector, given under section 25 of the Act, to move uncleared goods from a 
transitional facility, containment facility or biosecurity control area to another transitional facility, containment 
facility or biosecurity control area, or to  export those goods from New Zealand . 
(Note: Goods given a Biosecurity Clearance by an Inspector are released to the importer without restriction) . 
Biosecurity Plan  
A plan that identifies potential pathways for the introduction and spread of disease in a zone or compartment , 
and describes the measures which are being or will be applied to mitigate the disease risks, if applicable, in 
accordance with the recommendations in the Code . A B iosecurity Manual  must comply with the Code 
Chapters on zoning and compar tment alisation, and application of compartment alisation.  
Closed Flock 
A flock that is managed on an all -in, all -out basis, in a single epidemiological unit with no introductions of birds 
from different epidemiological units. A biosecurity plan as described  in the Code  must be adhered to during 
the management of the flock.  
The Code  
The World Organisation for Animal Health Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Any reference in this standard to 
the Code  is to the most current as found on the OIE website . 
Compartment  
An animal subpopulation contained in one or more establishment s under a common biosecurity management 
system with a distinct health status with respect to a specific disease or specific diseases for which required 
surveillance , control and biosecurity mea sures have been applied for the purpose of international trade.  
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 . 
 Official Veterinarian  
A veterinarian authorised by the Competent Authority of the country to perform certain designat ed official 
tasks associated with animal health and/or public health and inspections of commodities and, when 
appropriate, to certify in conformity with the provisions of the OIE Code  Chapter for certification procedures.  
OIE 
The World Organisation for Ani mal Health . 
 Import Health Standard :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  17 of 21 Parent Flock 
A group of birds of one species kept for producing fertile eggs, as a single epidemiological unit, in accordance 
with the Code Chapter  on biosecurity in poultry, recommendations applicable to the operation of poultry 
establishments and additional measures for breeders .  
Permit to Import  
A permit issued by the Director General of MPI pursuant to section 2 4(D)(2)  of the Act. 
Poultry Hatching Eggs  
Hatching eggs of chickens ( Gallus gallus ), turkeys ( Meleagris gallopavo ) or ducks ( Anas platyrhynchos 
domesticus  and Cairina moshata ), sourced from poultry breeding flocks compliant with the standards 
described in the Code chapter on biosecurity procedures in poultry production.  
Prescribed Diagnostic Test 
The diagnostic test(s) w hich can be used for international trade when the OIE Code  recommends a testing 
procedure for international trade in a commodity . 
Production Cycle  
The production cycle refers to all operations between and including the hatching, breeder farms and the egg 
handling facilities associated with a consignment for export to New Zealand.  
Specific -Pathogen -Free (SPF) Eggs 
Eggs produced by chicken flocks free from specified pathogens. The flocks supplying SPF eggs must be kept 
under secure biosecurity controls at least equivalent to those required for breeders in the Code  Chapter on 
Biosecurity in Poultry . 
Supervisor   
As def ined in the MPI Standard for Avian Transitional Facilities 154.02.05 , a registered veterinarian and 
inspector employed, or contracted by the supplier, who inspects the transitional facility and audits the 
operation of quarantine.  
Surveillance  
Competent Aut hority supervised systematic ongoing collection, collation, and analysis of information related to 
animal health and the timely dissemination of information so that action can be taken. For the purposes of this 
IHS, for risk organisms, where disease specif ic surveillance recommendations are made in the Code , the 
Code  recommendations must be met. For other risk organisms, surveillance must meet the recommendations 
in the Code  Chapter for animal health surveillance.  
Transitional Facility  
(1) Any place approved as a transitional facility in accordance with section 39 of the Act  for the purpose of 
inspection, testing, storage, treatment, holding or destruction of uncleared goods; or  
(2) A part of a port declared to be a transitional facility in acco rdance with section 39 of the Act.  
The Manual   
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial 
Animals . 
 Import Health Standard :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  18 of 21 Veterinary Certificate  
A certificate, issued in conformity with the provisions of the OIE Code Chapter for certification procedures , 
describing the animal health and/or public health requirements which are fulfilled by the exported 
commodities . 
Zone  
A clearly defined part of a territory containing an animal subpopulation with a distinct health status  with 
respect to a specific disease for which required surveillance, control and biosecurity measures have been 
applied for the  purpose of international trade.  Import Health Standard :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  19 of 21 Schedule 3  – Compartment and Zone Requirements  
(1) If the option of importing from a specified disea se free compartment or zone is selected for any of the 
identified risk organisms a biosecurity plan must be provided, to the satisfaction of a CTO prior to 
commencing the production cycle for product for export to New Zealand.  
(2) A biosecurity plan must:  
a) Be prepared in accordance with the Code .  
b) Be officially endorsed by the exporting country’s Competent Authority.  
c) Meet the requirements of a specific disease free compartment or zone.  
d) Include an original letter dated, officially stamped and signed by the Co mpetent Authority of the 
exporting country:  
i) Stating that the compartment’s or zone’s biosecurity plan under which trade is eligible to 
occur has been officially endorsed.  
ii) Stating that the surveillance and monitoring programme in place has been audited agai nst 
the biosecurity plan and that the Competent Authority is satisfied that it can verify that the 
compartment is free of the disease for which the compartment is formed.  
e) Include an original letter dated, officially stamped and signed by the Competent Auth ority of the 
exporting country:  
i) Certifying that the compartment or zone has been maintained free of the disease for which 
the compartment is formed for at least the 12 months prior to commencing the production 
cycle for product for export to New Zealand.  
ii) Stating that records of procedures and systems (including test results) of the 
establishment(s) forming the compartment (or zone where applicable), for at least the 12 
months prior to commencing the production cycle for product for export to New Zealand, 
are available to MPI upon request.  
iii) Stating that all procedures, systems and characteristics of the establishment(s) forming the 
compartment (or zone where applicable) have been maintained and are identical to those 
described in the approved biosecurity plan.  
(3) Any change to the biosecurity plan or production system outline must be notified to the Competent 
Authority and re -approved. Re -approval must be to the satisfaction of a CTO.  
(4) MPI reserves the right to audit facilities prior to the export of product to New  Zealand.  
(5) MPI reserves the right to audit compartments or zones prior to the export of product to New Zealand.  
  Import Health Standard :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  20 of 21 Sche dule 4  – Post -Arrival Quarantine  
Requirements for poultry for hatching eggs  
(1) The post arrival quarantine (PAQ) facility must be approved by MPI as a transitional facility approved 
to MPI Standard 154.02.05 Standard for Avian Transitional Facilities  and be under the supervision of 
an authorised Supervisor.  
(2) Written approval/advice fr om the authorised Supervisor must be provided with the application for an 
import permit.  
(3) PAQ stay, testing, treatments and procedures must be undertaken under supervision of the Authorised 
Supervisor.  
(4) Regular inspections will be made by the authorised Supe rvisor, as set out in the MPI Standard 
154.02.05 Standard for Avian Transitional Facilities.  
(5) Any unusual deaths, increase in mortality rate or illness must be  immediately reported to the 
Authorised Supervisor or the MPI hotline 0800 80 99 66 and carcasses retained for possible post -
mortem examination.  
(6) Any positive results must be reported to MPI s Investigation and Diagnostic Centre (I DC). Any APMV 
isolate must be identified to serotype  level, particularly for APMV -1, otherwise any APMV isolated will 
be assumed to be one of 9 APMV types (APMV1 - APMV 9) including NDV.  Any influenza A  isolate 
must be identified to haemagglutinin (HA) subtype, particularly for H5 or H7, otherwise any influenza A 
isolated will be assumed to be  one of 16 subtypes including  AI. 
(7) Testing must be conducted by laboratories approved by MPI to conduct the specific tests required. See 
additional details in the guidance document for laboratory approval requirements.  
(8) No compe nsation will be paid for any birds slaughtered as a result of testing for disease or for 
diagnosis.  
(9) MPI reserves the right to remove birds and or specimens for any tests that may be desired at any time.  
(10) A person authorised under the Act shall issue biosec urity clearance once the consignment has met all 
of the conditions for import, including negative test results received for AI, ND and Chlamydia psittaci  
(where required).  
Testing requirements  
Newcastle disease (APMV -1) 
(1) The consignment must be tested negative for ND by one of the following options:  
a) MPI-approved PCR testing of a representative sample of hatch debris, dead -in-shell chicks, 
embryos and dead chicks; or  
b) Testing a representative sample of chicks at or after 21 days of hatching for ND by a MPI -
approved PCR test.  The sample size must be sufficient to confirm that the flock is free from 
infection with at least 9 5% confidence of detecting 5% prevalence; or  
c) Serological testing of chicks for APMV at or after 28 days o f hatching. The sample size must be 
sufficient to confirm that the flock is free from infection with at least 9 5% confidence of detecting 
5% prevalence. (Testing must be conducted after 28 days to avoid interference of maternal 
antibodies . If maternal anti bodies are suspected in samples collected at or after 28 days,  the 
Authorised Supervisor must be notified immediately and  repeat testing must be carried out on or 
before 42 days of age or as agreed with MPI . Rising serum titres, or any clinical evidence of  
disease must be reported immediately in accordance with the requirements in the avian 
transitional facility standard )  Import Health Standard :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  21 of 21 Note:  Option c ) cannot be used for ducks as serology is not reliable in this species.  
Avian influenza  
(1) The consignment must be tested neg ative for AI by one of the following options:  
a) MPI-approved PCR testing of a representative sample of hatch debris, dead -in-shell chicks, 
embryos and dead chicks; or  
b) Testing a representative sample of chicks at or after 21 days of hatching for AI by a MPI -
approved PCR test.  The sample size must be sufficient to confirm that the flock is free from 
infection with at least 9 5% confidence of detecting 5% prevalence; or  
c) Serological testing of chicks for AI at or after 28 days of hatching. The sample size must be 
sufficient to confirm that the flock is free of infection with at least 9 5% confidence of detecting 5% 
prevalence. (Testing must be conducted after 28 days to avoid interference of maternal 
antibodies.)  
Chlamydia psittaci  [ducks only]  
(1) The consignment must be tested negative for C. psittaci   by one of the following options:  
a) A representative sam ple of dead hatchlings and dead -in-shell chicks must be examined to detect 
the presence of C. psittaci  using histochemical staining of liver and s pleen impression smears; or  
b) At hatching a representative sample of the consignment, including  dead -in-shell chicks, embryos, 
dead and live chicks must be d emonstrated free from C. psittaci  by testing a statistically valid 
sample with a test for Chlamydia psittaci  listed in MPI -STD-TVTL.  
Note:  The sample size must be sufficient to detect 10% prevalence with 99% confidence.