Import Health Standard  
Issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fresh Salacca 
for Consumption  
MPI.IHS.FP.SALACCA  
29 September 2016  
 Import Health Standard : Fresh Salacca for  Consumption   
 Draft for Consultation  29 September 2016  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  1 of 10 
TITLE  
Import Health Standard : Fresh Salacca for  Consumption  
COMMENCEMEN T 
This Import Health Standard  comes into force on  [Effective Date]   
ISSUING AUTHORITY  
This Import Health Standard  is issued  under section 24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993.  
 
Dated at Wellington this   ... day of  .........  
 
 
Stephen Butcher  
Manager , Import and Export Plants  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
(acting under delegated authority of the Direc tor-General)  
 
Contact for further information  
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)  
Regulation & Assurance Branch  
Plant Imports  
PO Box 2526,  
Wellington 6140  
Email: plant imports @mpi.govt.nz  
 Import Health Standard : Fresh Salacca for  Consumption   
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Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  2 of 10 
Contents  Page 
Introduction  3 
Part 1:  General Requirements  4 
1.1 Application  4 
1.2 Incorporation of material by reference  4 
1.3 Acronyms and definitions  4 
1.4 General  4 
1.5 Exporting country systems  4 
1.6 Export Plans  5 
1.7 Documentation  5 
1.8 Transport requirements  5 
Part 2:  Specific Requirements  6 
2.1 Commodity description  6 
2.2 Pest list  6 
2.3 Basic Measures  6 
2.4 Targeted Measures  6 
2.5 MPI-Specified Measures  6 
Part 3:  Documentation Requirements  7 
3.1 Phytosanitary inspection  7 
3.2 Phytosanitary certification  7 
Appendix 1: Acronyms and definitions  9 
Appendix 2: Amendment Record  10 
 
 
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Introduction  
This introduction  is not part of the  Import Health Standard , but is intended to indicate its general effect.  
Purpose  
This IHS specifies the requirements for the importation of fresh produce  for consumption identified in section 
1.1 into New Zealand from all countries . 
Background  
The New Zealand Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) provides the legal basis for excluding, er adicating and  
effectively managing pests and unwanted organisms.  
Each IHS issued under the Act specif ies requirements to be met for the effective management of risks 
associated with importing goods that may pose a biosecurity threat to New Zealand.  
This IHS include s requirements that must be met in the exporting country, during transit and importation, and 
post clearance, if specified, before biosecurity clearance can be given.  
Additional information to the requirements is included in guidance text boxes  and the guidance document: 
Importin g Fresh Produce for Consumption  [link]. 
Who should read this  Import Health Standard ? 
This IHS applies to importers of fresh produce imported for consumption identified in section 1.1 into New 
Zealand and the exporting country National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO).  
Why is this important?  
It is the responsibility of the importer 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.  
If any viable regulated pests are intercepted on arrival in New Zealand, the consignment will be treated, 
reshipped or destroyed, and depend ing on the regulated pest intercepted, the pathway may be suspended.  
Penalties may be applied under the Act if fresh produce imported for consumption are propagated.  
Equivalence  
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)  may consider a pre -export applicati on for an equivalent phytosanitary 
measure  to be approved , different from that provided for in this IHS, to maintain at least the same level of 
protection assured by the current measures in this IHS.  
Equivalence will be considered with reference to the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures 
(ISPM), Publication No. 24: Guidelines for the determination and recognition of equiva lence of phytosanitary 
measures . 
Document History  
Refer to Appendix 2 for the Amendment Record for this IHS.  Import Health Standard : Fresh Salacca for  Consumption   
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Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  4 of 10 
Part 1:  General  Requirements  
1.1 Application  
(1) This import health standard (IHS) applies the goods described in section 2.1: Commodity description . 
1.2 Incorporation of material by reference  
(1) The following document s are incorporated by reference under section 142M of the Act : 
MPI Biosecurity Organisms Register for Imported Commodities (BORIC)  
International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM)  
Schedule of Regulated (Quarantine) Weed Seeds  
ePest Database  
(2) Under section 142O(3) of the Act it is declar ed 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 any material incorporated by reference has legal effect as part of those documents . 
1.3 Acronyms and definitions  
(1) Acronyms and definitions are listed in Appendix 1.  
1.4 General  
(1) All consignments of fresh produce imported for consumption i nto New Zealand must:  
a) be free of soil and extraneous material;  
b) be free from viable regulated pests including weed seeds ;   
c) be packaged in clean and either new or refurbished  material ; and  
d) be shipped in a secure manner to prevent contamination by regulated pests.  
(2) All consignments of fresh produce imported for consumption i nto New Zealand must meet the 
requirements of an IH S before receiving biosecurity clearance.  
(3) Consignments of fresh produce imported for consumption under this IHS must not be used for  any 
other purposes , such as propagation.  
 
Guidance  
 The Schedul e of regulated (quarantine) weed seeds  (https://www.mpi.govt.nz/document -
vault/7111  ) can also be found on the MPI website.  
 Further information  can be found in Ministry for Primary Industries ( MPI) Guidance Document: 
Fresh Produce for Consumption  by using this link. 
1.5 Exporting country systems  
(1) Importers may only import from a country where the National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) 
has provided evidence , to the satisfaction of a n MPI  Chief Technical Officer (CTO) , of the national 
systems/programmes and standards  used for export assurance  in accordance with ISPM 7: 
Phytosanitary Certification System .  
(2) The national systems/programmes and standards are subject to audit by MPI.  
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Guidance  
 Countries with exporting country systems recognised by MPI are listed on the MPI website: 
TBC. 
1.6 Export Plans  
(1) MPI and the exporting country NPPO m ust negot iate a country -specific Export Plan  that demonstrates 
how Targeted and MPI- Specified Measures  will be achieved  before trade can commence.  
(2) The Export Plan must include detail of the activities that support the effective application of Targeted 
and MPI- Specified Measures . Supporting activities include product traceability, training, management 
of records, phytosanitary inspection, certification and phytosanitary security.  
(3) The negotiated and agreed Export Plan  is subject to review and audit  by MPI.  
 
Guidance  
 Commodities approved for export from recognised countries are listed on the MPI website: 
TBC. 
 An Export Plan is only necessary when  Targeted or MPI- Specified Measures  are required to 
manage the pests associated with the commodity.  
 An Export Plan is not necessary when only Basic Measures  are required to manage the pests 
associated with the commodity.  
1.7 Documentation  
(1) The consignment must be accompanied by the documents outlined in  Part 3: Documentation 
Requirements.  
1.8 Transport requirements  
(1) If a c onsignment is either opened, stored, split up or ha s its packaging changed prior to when it arrives 
in New Zealand , a phytosanitary certificate for re -export is r equired from the transiting country, in 
accordance with ISPM 12: Phytosanitary certificates, and must accompany each consignment . Import Health Standard : Fresh Salacca for  Consumption   
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Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  6 of 10 
Part 2:  Specific Requirements  
2.1 Commodity description  
(1) Fresh salacca for consumption is defined as individual commercially produced salac ca (Salacca 
zalacca ), also known as salak or snakefruit. The salacca (fruit) is oval, between 5 -7cm long with a 
brown ‘scale’ -like skin which tapers to a point.  
(2) Salacca  edulis is recognised as a synonym of Salacca  zalacca . 
 
Guidance  
 Frozen, cooked, pickled, pureed or dried salacca  may be imported but are covered by MPI IHS 
BNZ.NPP.HUMAN: Importation into New Zealand of stored plant products intended for human 
consumption.  
2.2 Pest list  
(1) A list of pests associated with fresh salacca  requiring Basic , Targeted , or MPI-Specified  Measures  is 
reproduced on the MPI website TBC.  
(2) The full list of regulated and non -regulated pests for New Ze aland can be found in  BORIC  
http://mpi.govt.nz/news -and-resources/resources/registers -and-lists/biosecurity -organisms -register -for-
imported -commodities/ .  
 
Guidance  
 If, during  an official inspection, the verifying NPPO detects a pest that is not listed on BORIC  
MPI may be contacted to esta blish the regulatory status of the pest.  
2.3 Basic Measures  
(1) Fresh salacca must be sourced from production sites that use standard cultivation methods for 
commercial export -grade product; including pest -control, harvesting, sorting, cleaning, inspection and 
packaging.  
 
Guidance  
 Basic Measures  are required to manage pests and other regulated organisms that present a 
risk to New Zealand on this pathway.  
2.4 Targeted Measures  
(1) There are no pests associated with this commodity which require a Targeted  Measure.  
2.5 MPI-Specified Measures  
(1) There are no pests associated with this commodity which require an MPI-Specified Measure.  
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Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  7 of 10 
Part 3:  Documentation Requirements  
3.1 Phytosanitary inspection  
(1) The NPPO of the exporting country must:  
a) sample and visually inspect each consignment according to official procedures in accordance 
with ISPM 23: Guidelines for Inspection  for all the regulated pests required by New Zealand ; 
b) verify that the Basic Measures , Targeted  Measures and MPI-Specified  Measures  have been 
applied as outlined in Part 2: Specific Requirements  and as per the approved Export Plan;  
c) reconcile that the number of packages presented for inspection is consistent with documentation;  
d) verify that traceability labelling is complete; and  
e) verify that phytosanitary security is maintained for the consignment.  
3.2 Phytosanitary certification  
(1) The NPPO must issue and supply a phytosanitary certificate in accordance with ISPM 12: 
Phytosanitary Certificates  to accompany each consignment of fresh s alacca exported to New Zealand.  
(2) The phytosanitary certificate must include the following declaration:  
a) “This is to certify that the plants, plant products or other regulated articles described herein have 
been inspected and/or tested according to appropriate o fficial procedures and are considered to 
be free from the quarantine pests specified by New Zealand and conform with the current 
phytosanitary requirements of New Zealand, including those for regulated non -quarantine pests.”  
Additional declarations  
(3) The NPP O must include the following additional declaration on the phytosanitary certificate if 
applicable:  
a) “This consignment was produced and prepared for export in accordance with the agreed Export 
Plan.”  
 
Guidance  
 This additional declaration should be included when an Export Plan has been negotiated 
between MPI and NPPO of the exporting county and when Targeted  and/or MPI-Specified 
Measures  have been applied.  
(4) The NPPO must include the f ollowing additional declarati on on the phytosanitary certificate if 
applicable:  
a) “The plant products described  herein have been sourced from  a pest free area for specified pests 
as recognised by New Zealand.”  
 
Guidance  
 This additional declaration should be included when a commodity has  been sourced from a 
pest free area . 
(5) The NPPO must include  full details of any end point treatments listed in the Export Plan or section 2.5 
of this IHS (if applicable), in the “Disinfestation and/or Disinfection Treatment” area of the phytosanitary 
certificate or as an NPPO -endorsed attachment to the phytosanitary certificate;  
a) all details of the treatment including duration and temperature, chemical (active ingredient) and 
concentration must be recorded.  
(6) When the consignment is treated in -transit, t he NPP O must include  “Treated in -transit” in the 
“Disinfestation and /or Disinfection Treatment” area of the phytosanitary certificate.  Import Health Standard : Fresh Salacca for  Consumption   
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Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  8 of 10 
(7) The phytosanitary certificate must contain sufficient detail to enable identification of the consignment 
and its component par ts. Information must include country/place of origin and meet all requirements 
listed in Part 2: Specific Requirements  and Part 3: Documentation  Requirements . 
 
Guidance  
 A phytosanitary  certificate should not be issued if viable regulated organism(s) are detected, 
unless an appropriate phytosanitary measure has been applied . 
 Country/place of origin is defined as a country where the plants, from which the plant products 
are derived, were grown or, place of origin; where the commodity was grown or produced.  Import Health Standard : Fresh Salacca for  Consumption   
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Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  9 of 10 
Appendix 1: Acronyms and definitions  
Definitions have the same meaning as defined by the Act  unless set out below:  
BORIC  
Biosecurity Organisms Register for Imported Commodities: MPI dat abase which informs on the quarantine 
status for an organism as either regulated or non -regulated for New Zealand. BORIC is available at 
http://mpi.govt.nz/news -and-resources/resources/registers -and-lists/biosecurity -organisms -register -for-
imported -commodities/ . 
Consignment  
One or more lots imported by one importer, on one conveyance at one time, and covered by one 
phytosanitary certificate  (ISPM 5  (Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms )). 
Country / place of origin  
Country/place of origin is defined as country where the plants, from which the plant products are derived, were  
grown or place of origin; where the commodity was grown or produced  (ISPM 5) . 
ePest  
MPI electronic pest database of plant pests searchable by country and commodity . 
Inspection  
Official visual examination of plants, plant products or other regulated articles to determine if pests are present 
and/or to dete rmine compliance with phytosanitary regulations (ISPM 5).  
IPPC  
International Plant Protection Convention.  
ISPM  
International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures. The list of ISPMs are available from: 
https://www.ippc.int/en/core -activities/standards -setting/ispms/ . 
NPPO  
National Plant Protection Organisation – the official organisation established by a government to discharge 
the functions specified by the IPPC  (ISPM 5) . 
Non-regulated pest  
Non-regulated organisms are those organisms for which phytosanitar y actions would not be undertaken if they 
were intercepted/detected. These may include new organisms which could not establish in New Zealand.  
Pathway  
A series of activities 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 plants or plant products  (ISPM 
5). 
Regulated Pest  
A quarantine pest or a regulated non -quarantine pest as set out in BORIC.  
Viable  
Any organism that is capable of development and/or reproduction, including insects, plants, seeds and other 
organisms that have not been through a de -vitalisation or sterilisation treatment.  Import Health Standard : Fresh Salacca for  Consumption   
 Draft for Consultation  29 September 2016  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  10 of 10 
Appendix 2: Amendment Record  
The following table provides a summary of the last amendment to the IHS for Fresh Salacca  for Consumption.  
 
Schedule:  Details:  Date