Guidance Document  
 
 
 
Poultry Hatching Eggs & 
Specific -Pathogen -Free 
Chicken Eggs  
COMEGIC.GEN  
24 July 2015  
 
 
 
A guidance document issued by  the Ministry for Primary Industries  Guidance Document :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  1 of 12 Title 
Guidance Document :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
About this document  
This guidance document contains information about acceptable ways of ensuring compliance with the 
requirements in the Import Health Standard (IHS): Poultry Hatching Eggs and Specific -Pathogen -Free 
Chicken Eggs.   
Any guidance on how to comply with the appli cable requirements may not be the only way to achieve 
compliance. Stakeholders are encouraged to discuss departures from the approaches outlined in this 
guidance document with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to avoid expending resources on the 
development of alternative approaches which may later be considered unsuitable.  
The term “must” is not typically used in guidance. In this particular document if the term “must” is used, it is 
used in the context of quoting or paraphrasing the requirements s et out in the related IHS: Poultry Hatching 
Eggs and Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs . 
Related requirements  
IHS: Poultry Hatching Eggs and Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs.  
Document  history  
Refer to Appendix 1.  
Contact d etails  
For further inform ation and questions about this gu idance document, please contact:  
 
Ministry for Primary Industries  
Regulation & Assurance  
Animal Imports  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
Email: animalimports@mpi.govt.nz  
Disclaimer  
This guidance does not constitute, and should not be regarded as, legal advice . While every effort has been 
made to ensure the information in this guidance is accurate, the Ministry for Primary Industries does not 
accept any responsibility or liability whatsoever for any error of fact, omission, inter pretation or opinion that 
may be present, however it may have occurred.  
Copyright  
Crown copyright ©. This copyright work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand 
licence. In essence, you are free to copy, distribute and adapt the work, as long as you attribute the work to the Ministry f or Primary 
Industries and  abide by the other licence terms. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/nz/ . 
Please note that no governmental emblem, logo or Coat of Arms may be use d in any way which infringes any provision of the Flags, 
Emblems, and Names Protection Act 1981 or would infringe such provision if the relevant use occurred within New Zealand. 
Attribution to the Ministry for Primary Industries should be in written form a nd not by reproduction of any such emblem, logo or Coat of 
Arms.  
Guidance Document :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  2 of 12 Contents   Page 
1 Purpose  3 
2 Background  3 
3 Definitions  3 
4 Importer Responsibilities  3 
5 Guidance  3 
5.1 Permit to import  3 
5.2 Equivalence  4 
5.3 Incorporat ion of material by reference  4 
5.4 Inspection and verification  4 
5.5 Exporting country systems and certification  4 
5.6 Diagnostic tests and vaccines for international trade  5 
5.7 Post-arrival laboratory testing  5 
5.8 Recommended post -arrival quarantine sampling and testing protocols  5 
6 Model Veterinary Certificate  6 
6.1 Agreed country specific veterinary certificates  11 
Appendix 1 – Document History  12 
 
 
 Guidance Document :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  3 of 12 1 Purpose  
(1) This guidance document has been issued to accompany the IHS: Poultry Hatching Eggs and Specific -
Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs.  This guidance document should be read in conjunction with that IHS.  
(2) This document includes:  
a) Countries with MPI approved exporting systems to import poultry hatching eggs and specific -
pathogen -free (SPF) chicken eggs  into New Zealand.  
b) A model veterinary certificate . 
c) Negotiated country -specific sample veterinary certificate s.  
2 Background  
(1) The IHS: Poultry Hatching Eggs and Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs which this guidance 
document accompani es, contains generic import requirements. These are the rules to manage the 
biosecurity risk of importing poultry hatching eggs and SPF chicken eggs from all countries that can 
meet the requirements of the IHS and in doing so meet New Zealand’s appropriate  level of protection. 
The generic IHS serves as the basis for country -to-country (bilateral) negotiations. This guidance 
document contains a model veterinary certific ate and the bilaterally -agreed v eterinary certification for 
trade in poultry hatching eggs  and specific -pathogen -free chicken eggs . The country -specific veterinary 
certificate represents what will be certified prior to exporting consignments of poultry hatching eggs 
and SPF chicken eggs  from the country specified.  
3 Definitions  
(1) Refer to Schedule  2 of the related IHS: Poultry Hatching Eggs and Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken 
Eggs.  
4 Importer Responsibilities  
(1) The costs to MPI in performing functions relating to the importation of poultry hatching eggs and SPF 
chicken eggs  will be recovered in accordance with the Biosecurity Act 1993  (the Act)  and any 
regulations made under the Act. All costs involved with documentation, transport, storage and 
obtaining a biosecurity clearance must be covered by the importer or agent.  
5 Guidance  
5.1 Permit to import  
(1) The IHS requires a permit to import to accompany all consignments of poultry hatching eggs and SPF 
chicken eggs.  
(2) Permit to import application forms can be found on the MPI website at: 
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/regs/imports/animals/forms . 
(3) The application form should specify the transitional facility where the eggs will be directed to. Hatching 
eggs must be directed to a transitional facility approved to MPI Standar d 154.02.05 Standard for Avian 
Transitional Facilities . SPF chicken eggs must be directed to a transitional facility approved to either 
MPI Standard 154.02.05 Standard for Avian Transitional Facilities  or MPI Standard 154.02.17 
Transitional Facilities for Biological Products . 
(4) Completed applications can be submitted to Animal Imports animalimports@mpi.govt.nz .   Guidance Document :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  4 of 12 5.2 Equivalence  
(1) MPI may ac cept an alternative method, system or process that can be shown to achieve the 
biosecurity requirements of the IHS (i.e. equivalence).  
(2) MPI’s preference is that the exporting country’s Competent Authority makes equivalence requests. 
Equivalence requests can  be lodged with animalimports@mpi.govt.nz  
(3) A permit to import may be required where specific equivalence measures are approved by MPI other 
than by a negotiated veterinary certificate as specified in the IHS.  
5.3 Incorporation of material by reference  
(1) Incorporation by reference means that standards, guidelines or lists are incorporated into the IHS and 
they form part of the requirements. This is done because technical documents are too large or 
impractical to include in the IHS.  
(2) Where the IHS states that section 142O(1) of the Act does not apply, this means that importers need to 
refer to the most recent version of any standards, guidelines or lists that are incorporated by reference 
in the IHS.  
5.4 Inspection and verification  
(1) On arrival, all documentation accompanying the consignment will be verified by an inspector. The 
inspector may also inspect the consignment, or a sample of the consignment on arrival.  
(2) Inspectors are able to inspect and verify due to their auth orised powers under the Act.  
(3) These requirements are independent of the IHS requirements.  
5.5 Exporting country systems and certification  
(1) Requests from exporting countries to negotiate veterinary certification for the import of poultry hatching 
eggs and SPF chi cken eggs  into New Zealand will be prioritised according to MPI resources available 
at the time of application.  
(2) MPI recommends Competent Authorities refer to Section 3 of the Code  titled Quality of Veterinary 
Services , to prepare evidence for MPI regarding  capabilities and preferences of the exporting country’s 
Competent Authority.  
(3) A model veterinary certificate is provided in this guidance document and can be used by the 
Competent Authority as a reference for country -specific veterinary certificate negotiation.  
(4) The table below lists those exporting countries that meet the requirements set out in the IHS: Poultry 
Hatching Eggs and Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs.  See Section 6.1 for details about approved 
model veterinary certificate.  
 
Countries w ith approved 
exporting systems  Biosecurity Plan Name  Date agreed  
Australia   19 November 2014  
Canada   5 November 2014  
United Kingdom   Compartments for protection against 
avian influenza and Newcastle disease 
in Great Britain.                                                                                                                                                                                 16 June 2014  Guidance Document :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  5 of 12 5.6 Diagnostic tests and vaccines for international trade  
(1) MPI lists all approved diagnostic tests and vaccines in the MPI document: Approved Diagnostic Tests, 
Vaccines, Treatments and Post -Arrival Testing Laboratories for Animal Impo rt Health Standards  
(MPI-STD-TVTL ).  
(2) Where OIE recommended diagnostic tests and vaccines are listed, details  can be found in the  OIE 
Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines  found on the OIE website: http://www.oie.int/en/international -
standard -setting/terres trial-manual/access -online/  
5.7 Post -arrival laboratory testing  
(1) Diagnostic testing undertaken during post -arrival quarantine is conducted by MPI Investigation and 
Diagnostic Centre (IDC) laboratories. Approval of an alternative laboratory will require an appli cation to 
MPI for approval with the following requirements being met:  
a) MPI approval for each t ype of testing to be undertaken.  
b) Approval as a transitional facility under the appropriate MPI transitional facility standard with the 
appropriate physical contain ment approval for the sampl es held and testing carried out.  
c) Current approval under the MPI Export Laboratory Assurance Programme  (ELP) to conduct the 
required tests; ( http://www.bi osecurity.govt.nz/regs/exports/animals/oap/elp ). 
d) A conflict of interest declaration and management proposal relating to any conflicts of interest 
must be made and approved  by the Manager, Animal Imports.  
e) Approved laboratories and their approved tests will be listed within this guidance document.  
(2) Currently approved laboratories for post -arrival laboratory testing are listed (MPI-STD-TVTL ). 
(3) Any suspension of approvals under the ELP will mean revocation of approval for import laboratory 
testing.  
5.8 Recommended post -arrival quarantine sampling and testing 
protocols  
(1) Post-arrival quarantine testing for Newcastle disease and avian influenza must be conducted on a 
sufficient number of samples to give 95% confidence of detecting 5% prev alence . This requires 
samples from 60 birds.  Serological methods are not acceptable f or testing ducks for ND as serology is 
not reliable in this species.  
(2) When the option of using  PCR  samples (as per the IHS) from live birds is selected , up to 5 cloacal 
samples and 5 tracheal samples may be pooled, thus reducing the number of samples tested to 24.  
(3) When the option  of testing by PCR at hatching ( as per the IHS) is selected the following sampling 
protocol is acceptable:  
a) Sixty (60) dead embryo s and/or chicks ( may include day old culls or deaths) collected post hatch 
must be submitted for PCR testing to an MPI approved laboratory. Samples should be 
representative of the whole batch, e.g. collected from various parts of the incubator, and where 
there are differen t lines included in the hatch, samples must be collected from all lines.  
b) Samples must be stored chilled, on ice (preferably not frozen) and transported to the approved 
laboratory as soon as possible (within 48 hrs).  
c) Two samples from each specimen will be t ested by PCR with up to five samples being pooled 
together.  
  Guidance Document :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  6 of 12 6 Model Veterinary Certificate  
(1) The following model veterinary certificate is for hatching eggs from chickens (Gallus gallus), ducks 
(Anas platyrhynchos domesticus and Cairina moschata) and turkeys  (Meleagris gallopavo) and SPF 
chicken (Gallus gallus) eggs. This model meets the requirements of the IHS.  
(2) This model veterinary certificate format is based on the Code  Chapter for model veterinary certificates 
for international trade in poultry hatching e ggs and specific -pathogen -free chicken eggs . 
 
Part 1: Details of dispatched consignment  1.1.   Consignor (Exporter):  
Name:  
Address:  1.2.  Certificate reference number:  
       Permit number:  
 
1.3.  Competent Authority:  
 
1.4.  Consignee (Importer):  
Name:  
 
Address:  
 
1.5. Country of origin                                              ISO Code * 
  1.6.   Zone or compartment of origin**:  
 
1.7. Country of destination:                                     ISO Code *  1.8.   Zone or compartment of destination**:   
1.9.  Place of origin:  
Name:  
 
 
Address:  
 1.10.  Place of shipment:  1.11.  Date of departure:  
1.12.  Means of transport:  
 
   Aeroplane            Ship            
 
         
Identification:  
 1.13.  Expected border post:  
1.14.  CITES permit No(s)**:    
1.15. Description of commodity:  
 1.16. Commodity Code  (ISO Code ) : 
1.17. Total number of eggs :  
1.18.  Temperature of commodities for transport  1.19.  Total number of packages:  
1.20.  Identification of container/serial number:  1.21. Type of  packaging:  
Species (Scientific Name)  ID Number/Details  Breed/Category  Quantity  ID System  
 Domestic chicken (Gallus gallus)      
 Domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)      
 Domestic duck (Ana platyrhynchos domesticus)      
 Muscovy duck or hybrid (Cairina moschata)      
 Domestic chicke n (Gallus gallus)      1.22.  Identification of commodity  
* Optional     ** If referenced in Part 2  Guidance Document :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  7 of 12 Country:  Certificate reference number:  
The Competent Authority of the exporting country is required to issue a signed, stamped and dated veterinary certificate 
attesting the following:  
(1) The undersigned Official Veterinarian certifies that the hatching eggs  described above satisfy  the following 
requirements:  
Commodity eligibility  
(2) The hatching eggs  or specific -pathogen -free eggs  (delete as appropriate ) for export to New Zealand were derived 
from parent flocks kept in accordance with the Code  Chapter on Biosecurity Procedures in Poultry Production .  
Inspection (hatching eggs) (delete if not applicable ) 
(3) The consignment was inspected by an officer approved by the Competent Authority within 48 hours pre -shipment for 
compliance verification.  
(4) The parent flock was inspected by an Official Veterinarian within the 28 days prior to the commencement of collection 
of eggs for export and was found to be free of clinical evidence of disease. This inspection was undertaken while the 
flocks were housed in the premise where egg collection took place.  
Inspection ( specific -pathogen -free eggs)  (delete if not applicable ) 
(5) The parent flock  was 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 count ry’s Competent  Authority.  
(6)  Any deaths or illnesses have been investigated by the Official Veterinarian or by a registered veterinarian under the 
supervision of the Official Veterinarian . 
Treatment  
(7) The eggs were  clean when collected, unwashed and have intact  (uncracked ) shells . They were collected separately 
from dirty and broken or cracked eggs . Hatching eggs were cleaned and sanitised as soon as possible after collection 
using an approved sanitising agent, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions,  and the Code  Chapter on 
Biosecurity Procedures in Poultry Production or equivalent .  
Testing  
(8) Diagnostic  testing was conducted at a laboratory approved by the Competent Authority to conduct the required export 
testing.  
(9) Laboratory or other diagnostic tests  used on birds were listed in MPI -STD-TVTL.  
(10) Laboratory samples were collected  under supervision of the Official Veterinarian and collected , processed, and stored 
as recommended in the Code and/or Manual,  and/or as specified by MPI.  
(11) Sampling of birds for diagnostic testing was randomised, and representative of the flock from which the eggs were 
collected. The sample size selected must be sufficiently large to give 95% confidence of detecting infection where 
there is  at least 5% preval ence in the flock , unless otherwise stated.  
Details appended to this veterinary certificate:  
a) All diagnostic tests used and date of sampling of the parent flock to meet the requirements of the import health 
standard  
b) All treatments and vaccinations used including generic name, active ingredient, dose rate and date of treatment  
c) Details of egg sanitiser used, including date of egg collection, date of sanitising, name, active ingredient and 
method of application of the sanitiser.  
Transport  
(12) The vehicle in whi ch the eggs  were transported to the port of departure was cleaned , disinfected and treated with an 
effective sanitiser  before  loading (details of treatment appended to this veterinary certificate)  
(13) During transport to the port of departure the eggs were kep t isolated from poultry not of equivalent  tested health 
status.  
(14) Eggs were loaded into spill proof containers and into crates that are new or cleaned and disinfected with an eff ective 
sanitiser before loading  (details appended to this veterinary certificat e). 
(15) Poultry hatching eggs were sealed under Official Veterinarian supervision, and the unique seal number and date of Guidance Document :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  8 of 12 sealing is recorded on this veterinary certificate; or  
a) For SPF eggs, the Official Veterinarian  confirmed after due enquiry that the eggs w ere placed into spill proof 
containers and sealed into clean and disinfected crates inside the facilities before dispatch.  (delete clause 13 or 
14 where not applicable)  
Approval of specific disease free compartments (delete where not applicable ) 
(16) Eggs were derived from flocks in specific disease free compa rtments for risk organisms and the compartment has 
been approved by the exporting country’s Competent Authority and a Competent Authority endorsed Biosecurity plan 
for the compartment has been approved by MPI. 
Specified requirements for identified risk organisms  
Where more than one option is listed d elete the options that are not applicable . 
(17) For avian influenza  
a) The eggs for export were derived from parent flocks:  
i) With a vaccination status of:  
1. Not vaccinated for avian influenza; or  
2. Vaccinated for avian influenza in accordance with the provisions of the Code and Manual and the 
nature of the vaccine used and the date of vaccination is attached to this veterinary certificate; and 
either  ii) or iii)  
ii) That were resident for at least the 21 days  before, and duri ng, egg collection in a country, zone  or 
compartment that was free from avian influenza (AI) (as defined in the Code), with current Code  
surveillance requirements being met for avian influenza; or  
iii) Demonstrated to be free from infection with AI by carrying out testing on a statistically valid sample from 
<enter number sampled > birds, selected in accordance with the Code ’s Surveillance Strategies , with the 
following test  <insert test type > for AI as listed in MPI -STD-TVTL,  within the 21 days prior to 
commencement of egg collection and at  a maximum of  21 day intervals d uring the egg collection period.  
(18) For avian paramyxovirus -1 (APMV -1), Newcastle disease (ND)  
a) The eggs for export were derived from paren t floc ks with a vaccination status of:  
i) Not vaccinated for APMV -1; or 
ii) Vaccinated for APVM -1 using an inactivated vaccine; and/or  
iii) Vaccinated with a live lentogenic vaccine strain in accordance with the Manual , and the nature of the 
vaccine used and the date of vaccination is attached to this veterinary certificate. The master seed virus for 
the vaccine used has an intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI) less than 0.4; and either  b) or c)  
b) That were resident for at least the 21 days before, and during, egg col lection in a country, zone or compartment 
that was free from ND (as defined in the Code ), with current Code  surveillance re quirements being met for 
APMV -1; or 
c) Demonstrated to be free from infection with APMV -1 by carrying out testing on a statistically val id sample from 
<enter number tested > birds selected in accordance with the Code ’s Surveillance Strategies , with the following 
test < insert test name > as listed in MPI -STD-TVTL, within the 21 days prior to commencement of egg collection 
and at  a maximum of  21 day intervals d uring the egg collection period.  
(19) For Salmonella e spp. 
a) The eggs for export were derived from:  
i) Parent flocks in a country, zone or compartment (delete as necessary ) free from Salmonella Gallinarum -
Pullorum , S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium as demonstrated by surveillance, conducted in accordance 
with the Code  requirements for Salmonella , and approved by a n MPI  CTO; or  
ii) The eggs for export were derived from parent flocks certified as free from S. Gallinarum -Pullorum , S. 
Enteritid is and S. Typhimurium. Flock monitoring was in accordance with the Code  requirements for 
surveillance of poultry flocks for Salmonella . 
b) Turkey hatching eggs for export were:  
i) Derived from a parent flock in a country, zone or compartment (delete as necessary ) free from S. 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  
ii) Derived from a parent flock certified free from S. arizonae . Flock monitoring must have been carried out in 
accordance with the Code  requirements for surveillance of poultry flocks for Salmonella ; or 
iii) Derived from a parent flock demonstrated to be free from S. arizonae by testing a statistically valid sample 
from < enter number tested > birds  within the 7 day period before collection of the hatching eggs 
commenced with the following test < insert test name > as listed in MPI -STD-TVTL.  Guidance Document :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  9 of 12 (20) For Mycoplasma  (turkeys only)  
For Mycoplasma  iowae  
a) The eggs were derived from parent flocks in a country where Mycoplasma iowae  has not been recognised to be 
present; or  
b) 10% of the birds in the supply flock have been subjected to cloacal swab culture for Mycoplasma iowae  , with 
negative results in each cas e,  w ithin 28 days prior to commencement of collection of eggs f or export  and the 
flock has a negative test history for  Mycoplasma iowae *; or 
c) The turkey hatching eggs were  derived from a parent flock  demonstrated to be free from Mycoplasma iowae  by 
testing  a statistically valid sample of  <enter number tested > turkeys with the following test < insert test name > as 
listed in MPI -STD-TVTL, within the 21 days prior to commencement of collection of eggs for export.  
 
For Mycoplasma meleagridis ;  
a) The egg s were derived from parent flocks in a country where Mycoplasma meleagridis  has not been recognised 
to be present; or  
b) The turkey hatching eggs were  derived from a parent flock demonstrated to be free from Mycoplasma 
meleagridis  by testing a statistically v alid sample of <enter number tested > turkeys with the following test < insert 
test name > as listed 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 were  derived from a parent flock  demonstrated to be free from Mycoplasma 
meleagridis with regular testing undertaken  in accordance with a Competent A uthority supervised poultry health 
scheme with consistently negative results for the past 12 months . Testing was carried out at  on a statistically 
valid sample , with the following test < insert test name > as listed in MPI -STD-TVTL.  
(*In the case of birds with test results that were positive or inconclusive, a further sample was taken and retested by 
ELISA by a laboratory approved by the Competent Authority of the exporting country. Any birds positive to this test 
was subject to post mortem and bacteriological examination and showed no evidence of Mycoplasma infection.)  
(21) For duck virus enteritis (DVE) (ducks only)  
a) The duck hatching eggs for export were derived from a parent flock not vaccinated for DVE; and  
i) The duck hatching eggs were derived from a parent flock in a country where DVE has not been recognised; 
or 
ii) The duck hatching eggs were derived from parent demonstrated to be free from DVE by testing a 
statistically valid sample of < enter number of tested > ducks with the following test < insert test name > as 
listed in MPI -STD-TVTL, within the 21 days prior to the commencement of collection of eggs for export.  
(22) For goose parvovirus and  Muscovy duck parvovirus (ducks only)  
a) The duck hatching eggs are from breeds other than Muscovy duck ( Cairina moshata ) and their hybrids; or  
b) The Muscovy duck hatching eggs (or hybrid Muscovy duck hatching eggs) were derived from a parent  flock in a 
countr y where goose parvovirus and Muscovy duck parvovirus is not recognised; or  
c) The Muscovy duck hatching eggs (or hybrid Muscovy duck hatching eggs) were 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 for goose parvovirus and Muscovy duck parvovirus. The parent flock was 
demonstrated free from goose parvovirus and Muscovy  duck parvovirus by testing a statistically valid sample of 
<enter n umber tested > ducks with the following test < insert test name > as listed in MPI -STD-TVTL, within the 21 
days prior to the commencement of collection of eggs for export.  
(23) For reovirus of Muscovy Ducks (DRV) (ducks only)  
a) The duck hatching eggs are from breeds  other than Muscovy duck ( Cairina moshata ) and their hybrids; or  
b) The Muscovy duck hatching eggs (or hybrid Muscovy duck hatching eggs) were derived from a parent flock in a 
country where duck reovirus  not been recognised; or  
c) The Muscovy duck hatching eggs  (or hybrid Muscovy duck hatching eggs) were derived from an establishment 
that has maintained a closed flock with a negative surveillance history  for DRV for the past 3 years. The parent 
flock was demonstrated free from reovirus of Muscovy ducks by testin g a statistically valid sample of <enter 
number of birds > ducks  with the following test < insert test name > as listed in MPI -STD-TVTL,  within the 21 days 
prior to the commencement of collection of eggs for export.  
(24) For avian chlamydiosis (ducks only)  
a) The duck hatching eggs were derived from parent flocks in a country where Chlamydia psittaci (serovar C and E)  
in ducks is not recognised; or  
b) The duck hatching eggs were derived  from parent flocks kept as a closed flock with a negative surveillance 
history  for C. psittaci .  
i) The parent flock was demonstrated free from Chlamydia psittaci  by testing a statistically valid sample of  
<enter number tested > ducks  with the following test < insert test name > as listed in MPI -STD-TVTL, within 
the 21 days prior to the c ommencement of collection of eggs for export .  Guidance Document :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  10 of 12  
ii) The sample size was sufficient to demonstrate with 99% confidence 10 % prevalence. (Note: Post -arrival 
quarantine testing is required (as per Schedule 2 of the IHS).  
 
 
 
Official Veterinarian  
 
Name:  
 
Address:  
 
 
Contact details:  
 
  
 
Date:  
 
Signature:  
 
 
Stamp:  
 
 
 
  Official Veterinarian signature, 
Official stamp and date  Guidance Document :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  11 of 12 6.1 Agreed country specific veterinary certificates  
(1) All country -specific veterinary certificates agreed between an exporting country’s Competent Authority 
and MPI are included in the table s below:  
a) The following countries are approved by MPI to import hatching eggs from chickens (Gallus 
gallus):  
 
Country  Link to certificate  S27 CTO 
direction #  Date agreed  Date applicable 
for use  
Canada  comegic.gen (Canada)  n/a 5 November 2014  5 November 2014  
United Kingdom  comegic.gen  (UK)  n/a 16 June 2014  16 June 2014  
b) The following countries approved to import hatching eggs from ducks (Anas platyrhynchos 
domesticus and Cairina moschata) : 
 
Country  Link to certificate  S27 CTO 
direction #  Date agreed  Date applicable for 
use 
Australia  comegic.gen (Australia)  CTO 2014 149 [B]  19 November 2014  19 November 2014  
c) The following countries are approved by MPI to import hatching eggs from turkeys (Meleagris 
gallopavo):  
 
Country  Link to certificate  S27 CTO 
direction #  Date agreed  Date applicable for 
use 
Canada  comegic.gen (Canada)  n/a  5 November 2014  
d) The following countries are approved by  MPI to imp ort specific -pathogen -free chicken eggs:  
 
Country  Link to certificate  S27 CTO direction #  Date agreed  Date applicable for 
use 
     
 
(2) Country -specific veterinary certificates with equivalent measures will be recorded with a number 
relevant to a n MPI  Chief Technical Officer ( CTO ) direction 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.  
(3) When a newly negotiated country -specific veterinary certificate replaces one which is currently in use, 
the application of new import conditions will apply according to the dates listed in the table. At that time 
previous veterinary certificates for that country can no longer be used.  
  
Guidance Document :  Poultry Hatching Eggs & Specific -Pathogen -Free Chicken Eggs  
 . 24 July 2015  
Ministry for Primary Industries     Page  12 of 12 Appendix 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