Import Health Standard  
Issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fresh Pumpkin, Squash and 
Butternut for Human 
Consumption or Decorative 
Purposes  
MPI.IHS.FP.PUMPKIN  
[Document Date]  
 Import Health Standard : Fresh Pumpkin, Squash and Butt ernut for Human Consumption or Decorative Purposes   
 Draft for Consultation  [Document Date]  
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  1 of 13 
TITLE  
Import Health Standard : Fresh Pumpkin, Squash and Butternut for Human Consumption or Decorative 
Purposes  
COMMENCEMEN T 
This Import Health Standard  comes into force on  [Effective Date]   
REVOCATION  
 
ISSUING AUTHORITY  
This Import Health Standard  is issued  under section 24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993.  
 
Dated at Wellington, [Document Date]  
 
 
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: plantimports@mpi.govt.nz   
 Import Health Standard : Fresh Pumpkin, Squash and Butt ernut for Human Consumption or Decorative Purposes   
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Contents  Page 
Introduction  3 
Part 1:  General Requirements  4 
1.1 Application  4 
1.2 Incorporation by reference  4 
1.3 Definitions  4 
1.4 General  5 
1.5 Permit to import  6 
Part 2:  Specific Requirements  7 
2.1 Fresh pumpkin, squash and butternut for human consumption  7 
2.2 Fresh pumpkin, squash and butternut for decorative purposes  8 
Part 3:  Inspection, Verification and Documentation Requirements  10 
3.1 Phytosanitary inspection  10 
3.2 Phytosanitary certification  10 
3.3 Additional declarations  11 
Appendix 1: Definitions  12 
Appendix 2: Amendment Record  13 
 
 
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Introduction  
This introdu ction  is not part of the  Import Health S tandard (IHS) , but is intended to indicate its general effect.  
Purpose  
An IHS specifies the requirements for importing risk goods into New Zealand from all countries.  
Background  
An IHS issued under the  New Zealand Biosecurity  Act 1993 (the Act) specif ies the requirements to be met to 
effective ly manage  biosecurity risks associated with importing goods , including the risks from incidentally 
imported new organisms. IHSs include measures that must be appli ed in the exporting country before the 
goods are exported. IHSs also include requirements that must be met by importers during importation 
including while the goods are in transit and held in a transitional facility, before biosecurity clearance can be 
given. 
Post-clearance conditions may also be specified in an IHS.  
Guidance accompanies an IHS as either a separate document or as guidance boxes throughout the IHS itself. 
Guidance provides information on how the requirements may be met.  
Who should read  this?  
Anyone who is involved in the process of importing risk goods into New Zealand or who has an interest in 
importing risk goods into New Zealand should read and be familiar with the relevant IHS.  
Why is this important?  
It is the responsibility of the importer to ensure that risk goods comply with the requirements of the relevant 
IHS. Risk goods that do not comply with the requirements of an IHS may not be cleared for entry into New 
Zealand and may be directed for treatment, re -shipment, destruct ion or further action deemed appropriate by 
a Chief Technical Officer (CTO). The pathway may be suspended if certain types of viable regulated pests  or 
viable unwanted organisms  are intercepted on the consignment.  
Importers are liable for all associated e xpenses.  
Equivalence  
A CTO  may consider a n application 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.  
Equivalence  will be considered with reference to the International Standard fo r Phytosanitary Measures 
(ISPM)  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.  
 
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Part 1:  General Requirements  
1.1 Application  
(1) This Import Health Standard (IHS) applies to  fresh p umpkin  (Cucurbita pepo ), squash ( Cucurbita 
maxima ) and butternut ( Cucurbita moschata ) imported for human consumption  or decorative purposes  
(‘fresh pumpkin, squash and butternut’) .  
(2) ‘Fresh pumpkin, squash and butternut ' is commercially produced and harvested pumpkin, squash or 
butternut  fruit that:  
a) is mature ;  
b) is hard-skinned ;  
c) conta ins seeds ; and  
d) is trimmed at the point where the stem  meets the peduncle . 
(3) Fresh pumpkin, squash and butternut imported for decorative purposes under this IHS may have 
differing requirements than those imported for human consumption (refer to Part 2) . 
(4) This IHS does not apply  to any immature or soft-skinned varieties  of Cucurbita  pepo , C. maxima or 
C. moschata  such as  summer squash,  zucchini or scallopini.  
 
Guidance  
 Frozen, cooked, pickled, pureed or dried pumpkin , squash and butternut  are covered by MPI 
IHS BNZ.NPP.HUMAN : Importation into New Zealand of stored plant products intended for 
human consumption  (http://www.mpi.govt.nz/document -vault/1663 ). 
 
1.2 Incorporation by reference  
(1) The following document s are incorporated by reference under section 142M of the Act : 
 ISPM 4.  Requirements for the establishment of pest free areas . Rome, IPPC, FAO  
 ISPM 5.  Glossary of phytosanitary terms . Rome, IPPC, FAO  
 ISPM 7.  Phytosanitary certification system . Rome, IPPC, FAO  
 ISPM 10 . Requirements for the establishment of pest free places of production and pest free 
production sites . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
 ISPM 12.  Phytosanitary certificates . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
 ISPM 14.  The use of integrated measures in a systems approach for pest risk management . Rome, 
IPPC, FAO  
 ISPM 23.  Guidelines for inspection . Rome, IPPC, FAO.  
 ISPM 26.  Establishment of pest free areas for fruit flies  (Tephritidae ). Rome, IPPC, FAO   
 ISPM 28.  Phytosanitary treatments for regulated pests . Rome, IPPC, FAO  
 ISPM 31 . Methodologies for sampling of consignments.  Rome, IPPC, FAO  
 ISPM 37 . Determination of host status of fruit to fruit flies  (Tephritidae ). Rome, IPPC, FAO  
(2) Under section 142O(3) of the Act it is declare d 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 Definitions  
(1) Definitions are listed in Appendix 1.  Import Health Standard : Fresh Pumpkin, Squash and Butt ernut for Human Consumption or Decorative Purposes   
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1.4 General  
(1) Importers may only import fresh pumpkin , squash or butternut  from a country where:  
a) The exporting  NPPO has provided evidence to the satisfaction of a Chief Technical Officer (CTO) 
that the exporting country has an Exporting Country System  that complies with ISPM 7.  
i) the Exporting Country System  (including programmes and standards) must demonstrate 
the process u sed to provide export assurance;  
b) an Export Plan  that details the activities and processes established to achieve the Targeted  and 
MPI-Specified Measures  identified in Part 2 of this IHS has been approved by the CTO.  
 
Guidance  
 Countries that meet  the requirements in Part 1.4 (1) a) and Part 1.4 (1) b) for fresh pumpkin , 
squash and butternut  are listed in ePest  (www.mpi.govt.nz/importing/food/fresh -fruit-and-
vegetables/requirements/epest ). 
(2) Importers may not import from a country where a CTO has:  
a) determined that the  Exporting Country System  no longer meets the requirements of ISPM 7; or  
b) has revoked approval of the Export Plan .  
(3) The scientific name of fresh  pumpkin ( Cucurbita pepo ), squash ( Cucurbita maxima ) or butternut 
(Cucurbita moschata ) must be included in documentation (specified in Part 3) accompanying the 
consignment.  
(4) In order to obtain biosecurity clearance , all consignments of fresh pumpkin , squash and butternut  into 
New Zealand must:  
a) be free from regulated articles ; 
b) be free from viable regulated pests  and other viable unwanted organisms;  
c) be packaged in clean and either new  or refurbished  material ;  
d) be shipped in a secure manner to prevent contamination by regulated pests  and other unwanted 
organisms;  
e) meet the specific requirements in Part 2; and  
f) be acc ompanied by documentation that meets the requirements of Part 3.  
(5) Fresh pumpkin , squash and butternut  must not be used for any purpose , such as propagation or 
animal feed,  other than described in Part 1.1(1).  
 
Guidance  
 Regulated articles include soil and p lant parts (other than fresh pumpkin, squash or butternut fruit).  
 A list of pests associated with fresh pumpkin , squash and butternut  can be found in ePest  
(http://mpi.govt.nz/importing/food/fresh -fruit-and-vegetables/requirements/epest ). 
 The full list of regulated and non -regulated pests and other unwanted organisms for New Zealand 
can be found in the  Biosecurity Organisms Register for Imported Commodities  (BORIC ).  
– BORIC is a  Ministry for Primary Industries ( MPI) database which informs of the quarantine 
status for an organism as either regulated or non -regulated for New Zealand .  
 The Schedule of regulated (quarantine) we ed seeds  can be found on the MPI website  
(https://www.mpi.govt.nz/document -vault/7111 ). 
 If, during an official inspection, the NPPO detects a pest that is not listed in ePest  or BORIC , MPI 
should be contacted to establish the regulatory status of the pest  (http://mpi.govt.nz/news -and-
resources/resources/regist ers-and-lists/biosecurity -organisms -register -for-imported -commodities/ ). 
 Further information can be found in MPI  Guidance Document: Fresh Produce for Consumption  
(http://mpi.govt.nz/document -vault/13831 ). Import Health Standard : Fresh Pumpkin, Squash and Butt ernut for Human Consumption or Decorative Purposes   
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1.5 Permit to import  
(1) A permit to import is not required unless specified in Part 3: Inspection, Verification and Documentation 
Requirements . Import Health Standard : Fresh Pumpkin, Squash and Butt ernut for Human Consumption or Decorative Purposes   
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Part 2:  Specific Requirements  
2.1 Fresh pumpkin , squash and butternut  for human consumption  
2.1.1 Application  
(1) Part 2.1 applies to fresh pumpkin, squash and butternut for human consumption . 
2.1.2 Basic Measures  
(1) Fresh pumpkin , squash and butternut  must be sourced from a production  site that use s standard 
cultivation methods for commercial export -quality product; including pest -control, harvesting, sorting, 
cleaning, inspection and packaging.  
2.1.3 Targeted Measures  
(1) The f ollowing  pests require Targeted Measures : 
 Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus  
 Tetranychus kanzawai  
(2) At least one  of the following Targeted Measures  must be applied in relation to each pest listed above in 
Part 2. 1.3(1): 
a) Country Freedom : a CTO is satisfied that a country has country freedom status in relation to the 
pest. No additional  measures are required for that pest . 
b) Pest Free Area : Fresh pumpkin , squash or butternut  is sourced from a pest free area established 
in accordance with ISPM 4 . MPI will audit the management of pest free areas for compliance with 
ISPM 4 .  
c) Pest Free Place of Production : Fresh pumpkin , squash or butternut  is sourced from a pest free 
place of production established in accordance with ISPM 10 . MPI will audit the management of 
pest free place of production for compliance with ISPM 10 .  
d) Systems Approach : two or  more integrated measures are applied in a way that accords with the 
systems approach described in ISPM 14.  
e) In-field Pest Controls : an in -field pest control activity is  undertaken that is effective for managing 
the pests, consistent with  good agricultural practice .  
f) End-point Treatment : an end -point treatment that is effective for managing the pests  in 
accordance with the efficacy requirements of ISPM 28 is applied prior to export to New Zealand.  
(3) The specific measure(s) employed by a country in relation to  each pest and the supporting activities 
and processes that relate to that measure must be outlined in the Export Plan . 
2.1.4 MPI-Specified Measures  
(1) The following pests require MPI-Specified Measures : 
 Bactrocera cucumis  
 Bactrocera facialis  
 Bactrocera kirki  
 Bactrocera sp. nr. passiflorae  
 Bactrocera xanthodes  
(2) At least one of the following measures must be applied in relation to fresh pumpkin , squash or 
butternut  to manage the pest s listed in Part 2.1.4(1): 
a) Country Freedom : a CTO is satisfied that a country has  country freedom status in relation to the 
pest. No additional measures for that pest are required.  Import Health Standard : Fresh Pumpkin, Squash and Butt ernut for Human Consumption or Decorative Purposes   
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b) Pest Free Area : Fresh pumpkin , squash or butternut  is sourced from a pest free area established 
in accordance with ISPM 26 . 
c) Conditional Non -host: undamaged hard -skinned fruit of fresh  pumpkin , squash and butternut are  
considered to be a conditional non -host in accordance with ISPM 37  to the following fruit flies:  
 Bactrocera facia lis 
 Bactrocera kirki  
 Bactro cera sp. nr. passiflorae  
 Bactrocera xanthodes  
(3) The specific measure(s) employed in relation to each pest and the detailed activities and processes 
that relate to that measure must be outlined in the Export Plan . 
 
Guidance  
 To establish that the commodity is sourced from a pest free area, the p hytosanitary measures 
and officially approved procedures used for the establishment and maintenance of a pest free 
area should be documented in accordance with ISPM 26. MPI will review this information 
before accepting that this measure can be used.  
 Condi tional non -host status cannot be applied where any fruit in the consignment is damaged. 
Examples of damage include, but are not limited to, physical damage (including healed 
wounds), fungal or bacterial damage, unsound fruit, and viral symptoms present on plants).  
2.2 Fresh pumpkin , squash and butternut  for decorative purposes  
2.2.1 Application  
(1) Part 2.2 applies to fresh pumpkin, squash and butternut for decorative purposes  
2.2.2 Basic Measures  
(1) Fresh pumpkin , squash and butternut  must be sourced from a production site that uses standard 
cultivation methods for commercial export -quality product; including pest -control, harvesting, sorting, 
cleaning, inspection and packaging.  
2.2.3 Targeted Measures  
(1) The f ollowing  pests require Targeted Measures : 
 Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus  
 Pseudaulacaspis pentagona  
 Tetranychus kanzawai  
(2) At least one  of the following Targeted Measures  must be applied in relation to each pest listed above in 
Part 2. 2.3(1): 
a) Country Freedom : a CTO is satisfied that a country has country freedom status in relation to the 
pest. No additional measures are required for that pest . 
b) Pest Free Area : Fresh pumpkin , squash or butternut  is sourced from a pest free area established 
in accordance with ISPM  4. MPI will audit the management of pest free areas for compliance with 
ISPM 4 .  
c) Pest Free Place of Production : Fresh pumpkin , squash or butternut  is sourced from a pest free 
place of production established in accordance with ISPM 10 . MPI will audit the m anagement of 
pest free place of production for compliance with ISPM 10 .  
d) Systems Approach : two or  more integrated measures are applied in a way that accords with the 
systems approach described in ISPM 14 .  
e) In-field Pest Controls : an in -field pest control a ctivity is  undertaken  that is effective for managing 
the pests, consistent with  good agricultural practice.   Import Health Standard : Fresh Pumpkin, Squash and Butt ernut for Human Consumption or Decorative Purposes   
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Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  9 of 13 
f) End-point Treatment : an end-point treatment that is effective for managing the pests  in 
accordance with the efficacy requirements of ISPM 28 is app lied prior to export to New Zealand.  
(3) The specific measure(s) employed by a country in relation to each pest and the supporting activities 
and processes that relate to that measure must be outlined in the Export Plan . 
2.2.4 MPI-Specified Measures  
(1) The following pests require MPI-Specified Measures : 
 Bactrocera cucumis  
 Bactrocera facialis  
 Bactrocera kirki  
 Bactrocera sp. nr. passiflorae  
 Bactrocera xanthodes  
(2) At least one of the following measures must be applied in relation to fresh pumpkin , squash and 
butternut  to manage the pest /s listed in Part 2.2.4(1): 
a) Country Freedom : a CTO is satisfied that a country has country freedom status in relation to the 
pest. No additional measures for that pest are required.  
b) Pest Free Area : Fresh pumpkin , squash or butternut  is sourced from a pest free area establis hed 
in accordance with ISPM 26.  
c) Conditional Non -host: undamaged hard -skinned fruit of fresh  pumpkin , squash and butternut are  
considered to be a conditional non -host in accordance with ISPM 37  to the following frui t flies:  
 Bactrocera facia lis 
 Bactrocera kirki  
 Bactro cera sp. nr. passiflorae  
 Bactrocera xanthodes  
(3) The specific measure(s) employed in relation to each pest and the detailed activities and processes 
that relate to that measure must be outlined in the Export  Plan. 
 
Guidance  
 To establish that the commodity is sourced from a pest free area, the phytosanitary measures 
and officially approved procedures used for the establishment and maintenance of a pest free 
area should be documented in accordance with ISPM 26.  MPI will review this information 
before accepting that this measure can be used.  
 Conditional non -host status cannot be applied where any fruit in the consignment is damaged. 
Examples of damage include, but are not limited to, physical damage (including h ealed 
wounds), fungal or bacterial damage, unsound fruit, and viral symptoms present on plants).  
 
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Part 3:  Inspection, Verification and Documentation 
Requirements  
3.1 Phytosanitary inspection  
(1) The NPPO of the exporting country must:  
a) sample  each homogeneous grower lot of fresh pumpkin , squash and butternut . The minimum 
sample size for inspection must be based on a 95% confidence level that not more than 0.5% of 
the units i n the lot are infested, as set out in  Appendix 2 of  ISPM 31 ;  
b) visually  inspect each sample unit  according to official procedures in accordance with ISPM 23 for 
all pests  and unwanted organisms  regulated by New Zealand .  
i) a sample unit for the purpose of this IHS is considered to be a single fruit of fresh pumpkin , 
squash or butternut ; 
c) verify that the Basic Measures , Targeted  Measures and MPI-Specified  Measures  have been 
applied as outlined in Part 2: Specific Requirements ;  
d) reconcile that the number of packages presented for inspection is consistent with documentation;  
e) verify that traceability labelling is complete; and  
f) verify that phytosanitary security is maintained for the consignment.  
3.2 Phytosanitary certification  
(1) Each consignment must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the NPPO in 
accordance with I SPM 12 and meeting the specified requirements set out in this Part.  
(2) The phytosanitary certificate must include  sufficient detail to enable identification of the consignment 
and its component parts.  Information must include : 
a) country/place of origin;  
b) full detai ls of any end point treatments applied to fresh pumpkin , squash or butternut  in the 
“Disinfestation and/or Disinfection Treatment” area of the phytosanitary certificate or as an 
NPPO -endorsed attachment to the phytosanitary certificate ;  
i) all details of the  treatment including (where applicable) minimum irradiation dose, duration 
and temperature, chemical (active ingredient) and concentration must be recorded .  
c) the following declaration:  
“This is to certify that the plants, plant products or other regulated articles described herein have 
been inspected and/or tested according to appropriate official procedures and are considered to 
be free from the quarantine pests specified by the importin g contracting party  and to conform with 
the current phytosanitary requirements of the importing contracting party , including those for 
regulated non -quarantine pests.”  
(3) When the consignment is treated in -transit, t he certificate must state “Treated in -trans it” in the 
“Disinfestation and /or Disinfection Treatment” area of the phytosanitary certificate.  
(4) If a c onsignment of fresh pumpkin , squash or butternut  is stored  in another country in transit to New 
Zealand or opened , split up or ha s its packaging changed prior to when it arrives in  New Zealand , a 
phytosanitary certificate for re -export is required from the transiting country, in accordance with ISPM 
12, and must accompany each consignment . 
 
Guidance  
 A phytosanitary certificate should not be issu ed if viable regulated pests or  viable unwanted 
organisms are detected, unless an appropriate phytosanitary measure has been applied  after 
the detection . Import Health Standard : Fresh Pumpkin, Squash and Butt ernut for Human Consumption or Decorative Purposes   
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3.3 Additional declarations  
(1) The phytosanitary certificate must also include the following addition al declaration when Targeted  or 
MPI-Specified Measures  (Parts 2. 1.3, 2.1.4, 2.2.3, and 2.2.4 ) are required :  
a) “This consignment was produced and prepared for export in accordance with the agreed Export 
Plan.” 
(2) Unless Part 2.1.3(2)(a) or Part 2.2.3(2)(a) applies, the following additional declaration  must also be 
included on the phytosanitary certificate for each MPI-Specified Measure  (Part 2. 1.4 or Part 2.2.4  as 
applicable ) used and the specified pest/s:  
a) “The consignment was produced and packed in a pest free area for {Name of Pest/s}.”  
OR 
b) “The consignment was found to be unda maged , meeting  the requirements of a  conditional non -
host for {Name of Pest/s}.”  
 
Guidance  
 This additional declaration should be repeated for each measure and pest combination.  
 Recognised pest free areas are listed in ePest  (http://mpi.govt.nz/importing/food/fresh -fruit-and-
vegetables/requirements/epest ) and recorded in the Export Plan.  
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Appendix 1:  Definitions  
Definitions have the same meaning as defined by the Act  or ISPM 5 . Glossary of phytosanitary terms,  unless 
set out below:  
FAO  
Food and Agriculture Organi sation of the United Nations.  
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.  
Pest  
Definition as per ISPM 5.  
 
Regulated article  
Definition as p er ISPM 5 . 
Viable  
In relation to a pest or unwanted organism, means capable of reproduction and/or development.  
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Appendix 2: Amendment Record  
The following table provides a summary of the last amendment to the IHS for Fresh P umpkin , Squash and 
Butternut  for Human Consumption or Decorative Purposes.  
 
Section(s)  Details  Date