Import Health Standard  
 
 
Zoo Tasmanian Devils from 
Australia  
ZOOTASDE.AUS   
. 
 
 
 
An import health standard issued under  the Biosecurity Act 1993  Import Health Standard :  Zoo Tasmanian Devils from A ustralia  
 Draft  1.0 . 
Ministry for Primary Industries   Import Health Standard   Page  1 of 14 TITLE  
Import Health Standard :  Zoo Tasmanian Devils from Australia  
PURPOSE  
This import health standard (IHS) specifies the minimum requirements that must be met when importing zoo 
Tasmanian devils from Australia.  
COMMENCEMENT  
This Import Health Standard  comes into force on... 
ISSUING AUTHORITY  
This Import Health Standard  is issued  section 24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act).     
 
Dated at Wellington  this . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Matthew Stone  
Director, Animal and Animal Products, Standards Branch  
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)  
(Acting under delegated authority)  
 
 
Contact for further information  
Ministry for Primary Industries   
Standards Branch  
Animal Imports  
PO Box 2526,  
Wellington 6140  
Email:  animalimports@mpi.govt.nz  
 
For all matters rel ating to the operation of this IHS, including inspections, audits and treatments, please 
contact your local MPI office.  
 
 Import Health Standard :  Zoo Tasmanian Devils from A ustralia  
 Draft  1.0 . 
Ministry for Primary Industries   Import Health Standard   Page  2 of 14 Contents  Page 
Part 1:  Introduction  3 
1.1 Background  3 
1.2 What and whom this standard applies to  3 
1.3 The outcome this sta ndard is seeking to achieve  3 
1.4 Equivalence  3 
1.5 Consequences of not complying with this standard  3 
1.6 Change history  4 
1.7 Incorporation of Material by Reference  4 
1.8 Other Information  4 
1.9 Definitions  4 
Part 2:  Requirements  5 
2.1 Permit to Import  5 
2.2 Document ation Accompanying the Consignment  5 
2.3 Transport  6 
2.4 Biosecurity Authorisation  6 
2.5 Transitional Facility  6 
Part 3:  Specified Requirements - Model Veterinary Certificate  8 
Appendix 1 – Change history  11 
Appendix 2 – Definitions  12 
 
 
 Import Health Standard :  Zoo Tasmanian Devils from A ustralia  
 Draft  1.0 . 
Ministry for Primary Industries   Import Health Standard   Page  3 of 14 Part 1:  Introduction  
1.1 Background  
(1) The Biosecurity Act 1993 provides the legal basis for excluding, eradicating and effectively managing 
pests and unwanted organisms.  
(2) Import health standards (IHSs)  issued under the Act specify requirement s to be met for the effective 
management of risks associated with importing goods that pose a biosecurity threat to New Zealand. 
They include requirements that must be met in the exporting country, during transit , and during 
importation, before biosecurity  clearance can be given.  
(3) This IHS specifies the minimum requirements that must be met when importing zoo Tasmanian devils 
(Sarcophilus harrisii/ Sarcophilus laniarius ) from Australia into New Zealand.  
(4) If this standard needs to be amended or revoked urgently, or the Director General or delegate considers 
that an amendment is minor, the amendment or revocation may be carried out without prior consultation . 
1.2 What and whom this standard  applies to  
(1) This standard applies to importers of  zoo Tasmanian devils  from Australia . 
(2) The Tasmanian devils eligible for import must have been born and resident for their entire lives in a 
government registered, or licensed, zoo or wildlife park.  
(3) The Tasmanian devils must not be in the last trimester of pregnancy on t he date of export.  
(4) The Tasmanian devils must be weaned , healthy and fit to travel at departure . 
(5) The T asmanian devils and the premises  in which the Tasmanian devils reside must have been free from 
quarantine restrictions for at least the 90 days prior to th e date of export.  
1.3 The outcome this standard  is seeking to achiev e 
(1) The outcome this IHS is seeking to achieve is the effective management of biosecurity risks associated 
with the commodities defined in section 1.2.  
1.4 Equivalence  
(1) The requirements for importing zoo Tasmanian devils are met if, in the opinion of the Chief Technical 
Officer, the measures taken for managing the risks associated with the importation of those goods are 
equally effective at managing those risks as the req uirements specified in Part 3: Specified Requirements 
for Identified Risk Organisms.  If an equivalence measure( s) is approved MPI will issue a  permit to import  
(under section 24D  (2) of t he Biosecurity Act) stating the equivalent  measure . 
1.5 Consequences of not complying with this standard  
(1) It is the importer ’s responsibility to ensure the requirements of this standard are met . 
(2) If imports  do not comply with the requirements of this IHS further information may be  sought from 
importers, equivalence (see clause  1.4) may be offered, or the animals may be  re-shipped or destroyed. 
Importers are lia ble for all associated expenses .  Import Health Standard :  Zoo Tasmanian Devils from A ustralia  
 Draft  1.0 . 
Ministry for Primary Industries   Import Health Standard   Page  4 of 14 (3) Section 16B of the Biosecurity Act  1993 states that importers must take all reasonable steps to ensure 
that the goods comply with this I HS. Operating other than in accordance with this IHS may be an offence 
under the Biosecurity Act 1993.  
1.6 Change history  
(1) Refer to Appendix 1.  
1.7 Incorporation of Material by Reference  
(1) The following international standards are incorporated by Reference in this IHS under section 142M of 
the Biosecurity Act:  
a) 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.  
b) The Australian Marine Orders Part 43, Issue 6 (equivalent to the New Zealand Marine Rules Part 
24C) is available free of charge:  
http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details?F2006L03643  
 
(2) Under section 142O (3) of the Biosecurity Ac t it is declared that section 142O  (1) does not apply, that is, a 
notice under section 142O  (2) of the Biosecurity Act is not required to be published before material that 
amends or replaces the above listed standards , guideline or lists  has legal effect a s part of these 
documents.  
1.8 Other Information  
(1) It is the responsibility of the importer to ensure that the consignment is accompanied by a permit to export 
as required by the legislation of the country of origin and the Convention on the International Trade  in 
Endangered Species (CITES) http://www.cites.org. The importer is advised to clarify the status of the 
species of animal in relation to international agreements on their trade, prior to export. Material arriving in 
New Zealand without the relevant CITES  permits may be subject to seizure by the New Zealand 
Department of Conservation.  [Note: Any requirement for CITES or other conservation -related 
documentation must be met by the exporter/importer.]  
1.9 Definitions  
(1) Refer  to Appendix 2 . Import Health Standard :  Zoo Tasmanian Devils from A ustralia  
 Draft  1.0 . 
Ministry for Primary Industries   Import Health Standard   Page  5 of 14 Part 2:  Requirements  
2.1 Permit to Im port 
(1) The consignment must arrive in New Zealand with the following :  
a) Permit to import issued by MPI (copy acceptable):   
 
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/forms/imports -live-animals -into-trans -facility  
 
or contact : 
 
Animal Imports  
Animal and Animal Products Directorate  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington  
New Zealand  
email: animalimports@mpi.govt.nz  
 
b) The importer must supply the following information  to obtain a permit : 
i) name and address of exporter;  
ii) number, sex, age, species and microchip transponder identification of the animal;  
iii) date of proposed importation;  
iv) name and address of the transitional facility in New Zealand to which the consignment is to 
proceed following importation;  
v) a letter from the New Zealand Official Veterinarian supervising the transitional facility 
indicating that the facility is available for this consignment;  
vi) port of arrival, and route and means of transport to the transitional facility.  
 
c) The permit to import will be issued for a single consignment . 
2.2 Documentation Accompanying the Consignment  
(1) The consignment m ust be accompanied by  
(a) a copy of the permit to import; and  
(b) an appropriately completed v eterinary certificate that provides all the information required by P art 3 
Specified Requirements (Veterinary C ertification ). 
(2) The veterinary certificate must be :  
a) original, unless otherwise stated; and  
b) in English or have an English translation that is clear and legible; and  
c) endorsed by the Official Veterinarian with their original stamp, signature and date on every  page 
(except permit to import) . 
 
(3) Copies of a ll docum entation must be sent to the New Zealand Official Veterinarian at the airport/port of 
entry at least 72 hours in advance of importation.  
 Email : 
 Auckland:  mqsakav@mpi.govt.nz  Import Health Standard :  Zoo Tasmanian Devils from A ustralia  
 Draft  1.0 . 
Ministry for Primary Industries   Import Health Standard   Page  6 of 14 
 Wellington:  wellingtoncertification@mpi.govt.nz  
 Christchurch:  liveanimalgroup@mpi.govt.nz  
2.3 Transport  
(1) In the case of transport by:  
a) Air: the transport facilities and arrangements must meet the relevant requirements published in 
the IATA Live Animal Regulations.  
b) Sea: the transport facilities and arrangements must have been inspected and meet the 
requirements of the Australian Marine Orders Part 43, Issue 6 (which is eq uivalent to the New 
Zealand Marine Rules Part 24C).  
 
(2) If zoo Tasmanian devils are transported with other animals on the same aircraft or ship, those animals 
must quali fy for entry into New Zealand.  
(3) Any feed, bedding and faecal material that falls from the crate must be destroyed as biosecurity waste.  
(4) Containers made of timber must meet the requirements of the wood packaging import health standard: 
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/imports/forests/standards/non -viable -forest -produce/wood -packaging -
ihs.ht m 
(5) The importer must notify the date, expected time, port of arrival and the flight number  or ship’s name to 
the New Zealand Official Veterinarian at the airport/port of entry at least 7 days in advance of importation. 
Email: liveanimalsector@mpi.govt.nz  
2.4 Biosecurity Authori sation  
(1) On arrival of the Tasmanian devils in New Zealand, an Official Veterinarian who is an Inspector may give 
a biosecurity authorisation under section 29 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 for the animals to move to the 
transitional facility named in the permit to import.  
2.5 Transitional Facility  
(1) Followi ng biosecurity authorisation being given, the animals must proceed directly to the transitional 
facility  named on the permit to import  for post -arrival quarantine . 
(2) The documentation will be checked to ensure it meets all requirements noted under Part 3  Specified 
Requirements ( Veterinary Certific ation) and requirements in Part 2 of this import heath standard . 
(3) The animals must remain in the transitional f acility for no less than 7 days . 
(4) During the post -arrival quarantine period, the animals may be subjected t o testing, treatments or 
procedures as is required by the supervising Official Veterinarian to diagnose a disease, or ascertain the 
presence or absence of any pest or unwanted organism .  
(5) On satisfactory completion of the post arrival quarantine period  and providing the consignment meets all 
requirements in the veterinary certification of this import health standard , the supervising Official 
Veterinarian who is an Inspector will, under section 29 of the Biosecurity Act, authorise the animals to be 
moved from  the transitional facility to a containment facility, approved  to MPI Standard 154.03.04 
Containment Facilities for Zoo Animals (http://www.biosecurity.govt.n z/border/transitional -
facilities/animals/154 -03-04.htm .)  
(6) The crates must be cleaned and disinfected and stored until the end of quarantine. After completion of 
quarantine all feed, bedding material and faeces from the transitional facility and crate must be destroyed 
as biosecurity waste.  Import Health Standard :  Zoo Tasmanian Devils from A ustralia  
 Draft  1.0 . 
Ministry for Primary Industries   Import Health Standard   Page  7 of 14 (7) The animals and their offspring must remain permanently in a containment facility and may only be 
transferred to another containment facility with the prior biosecurity authority given under section 29 of the 
Biosecurity Act 1993.  
 Import Health Standard :  Zoo Tasmanian Devils from A ustralia  
 Draft  1.0 . 
Ministry for Primary Industries   Import Health Standard   Page  8 of 14 Part 3:  Specified  Requirements  - Model Veterinary Certificate  
Zoo Tasmanian devils for import must meet all the specified  requi rements included in the  following veterinary  
certificate.  
Country of origin: Australia  
 Part I: Details of Dispatched Consignment  1. Exporter:  
Name:  
 
Address:  
 
 2. Certificate Reference Number:  
3. Import Permit N umber : 
4. Importer:  
Name:  
 
Address:  
 
 5. Country of Origin:  
AUSTRALIA  
6. Country of Destination : 
NEW ZEALAND  
7. Commodity Description:     Species Sarcophilus harrisii/ Sarcophilus lan iarius 
 
Microchip Number  Site of Microchip  Other ID  
(E.g. ARKS number)  M/F Date of Birth  
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
8. Official Stamp and Veterinary Signature  Import Health Standard :  Zoo Tasmanian Devils from A ustralia  
 Draft  1.0 . 
Ministry for Primary Industries   Import Health Standard   Page  9 of 14 Part II: Veterinary Certificate  I, ........................................................ an Official Veterinarian authorised by the Competent Authority of Australia, certify after due enquiry, with respect to 
the Tasmanian devils identified in this veterinary certificate, that: 
 
(1) The Tasmanian devils have been resident in a government registered or licensed zoo or wildlife park since birth.  
(2) The premises in Australia in which the animals for export have been resident are under permanent veterinary supervision, and a health monitoring 
programme is followed including necropsies, and microbiological and parasitological testing.  
 
Pre-export isolation  
(3) The animals were held in pre -export isolation (PEI):  
a)  for a minimum period of 28 days prior to export; and  
b)  in premises that were approved and supervised by an Official Veterinarian; and  
c)  isolated from other animals not of equivalent health status; and  
d)  the animals and all in -contact animals were free from clinical signs of infectious disease  for the entire pre -export isolation  period . 
 
(4) The PEI premises had an impervious washable floor and walls. Prior to housing the animals, the premises were thoroughly clean ed and sprayed 
with an acaricide. Bedding and feed used were clean and free from evidence of contaminati on with ticks and weeds/weed seeds. Bedding was 
removed every 10 days and the premises thoroughly cleaned and sprayed with acaricide.  
 
Treatments and testing  
(5) Internal parasites  
a) Each Tasmanian devil was treated twice with an endoparasiticide/s efficacious a gainst nematodes, cestodes and trematodes  during the 
PEI period, with an interval of not less than 14 days . 
Endoparasiticide/s used: ....................................................................................  
Active ingredient(s): ………………………………………… …………………………  
Dose rate: ...........................................................................................................  
Date of treatment 1: ............................................................................................  
Date of treatment 2: ............................................................................................  
(6) External parasites  
a) In the 3 days after arrival  in PEI, and repeated in the 3 days prior to export to New Zea land, the Tasmanian devils were treated with an 
efficacious ectoparasiticide.  
Ectoparasiticide/s used: ....................................................................................  
Active ingredient(s):  
Date of treatment 1: ................................................................... .........................  
Date of treatment 2: ............................................................................................  
 
Inspection and transport  
(7) Each Tasmanian devil was identified and examined by an Official Veterinarian in the 24 hours prior to leaving the PEI premises for the port of 
export, and was free from clinical evidence of infectious disease, external parasites, plant and seed contamination, and appe ared to be fit to 
travel.  
(8) The vehicles in which the animals will be transpo rted to the port of departure were cleaned and disinfected prior to loading using a disinfectant 
approved by MPI.  
(9) During transport to the port of departure the animals will be kept isolated from animals that are not of equivalent health st atus.  
(10) During tran sport to the port of departure and during transit to New Zealand, all bedding provided will be free from evidence of contamin ation with 
ticks and weeds/weed seeds.  
(11) If shipped by air, the animals will be shipped in accordance with the International Air Tran sport Association (IATA) Live Animal Regulations; if 
shipped by sea, the animals will be shipped in accordance with the Australian Marine Orders Part 43, Issue 6.  
(12) The crates or pens to be used for transporting the animals to New Zealand are either new or if previously used will be cleaned and disinfected 
with an approved disinfectant.  
(13) No other animals are being transported in the aircraft or ship except animals officially certified as able to be imported to New Zealand . 
  Import Health Standard :  Zoo Tasmanian Devils from A ustralia  
 Draft  1.0 . 
Ministry for Primary Industries   Import Health Standard   Page  10 of 14 Name of Official Veterinarian in Au stralia  
Signature  
 
_________________________________________________  
 
 Name and Address of Office:  
 
 
 
Official Stamp and Date:  ______________________________  
 
 
 
Official Stamp must be applied to all pages of the veterinary 
certificate  
 
 
 
  Import Health Standard :  Zoo Tasmanian Devils from A ustralia  
 Draft  1.0 . 
Ministry for Primary Industries   Import Health Standard   Page  11 of 14 Appendix 1  – Change history  
 
Previous  
Version Date  Current  
Version Date  Section Changed  Change(s) Description  
  N/A N/A 
    Import Health Standard :  Zoo Tasmanian Devils from A ustralia  
 Draft  1.0 . 
Ministry for Primary Industries   Import Health Standard   Page  12 of 14 Appendix 2 – Definitions  
For the purposes of this standard and the attached guidance document, terms used that are defined in the 
Biosecurity Act 1993 have the meanings set out there. The following specific definitions also apply:  
Biosecurity Authority  
Written authority from an inspector, given under Section 29 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, to move restricted 
organisms from a transiti onal facility, biosecurity control area or containment facility to another transitional 
facility, biosecurity control area or containment facility or to export those goods from New Zealand  
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  
Director -General  
The chief executive of the Ministry for Primary Industries  
Equivalence  
Acceptance by the Chief Technical Officer that the circumstances relating to the importation of a consignment 
are such that the health status of the consignment  is equivalent to the health status of a consignment that 
complies with the requirements of the import health standard  
Inspector  
A person who is appointed an inspector under section 103 of the Biosecurity Act (1993).  (Explanatory Note: 
An Inspector is appointed to undertake administering and enforcing the provisions of the Biosecurity Act and 
controls imposed under the Hazardous Substances  and New Organism Act 1996, and the Convention on the 
International Trade in End angered Species  
IATA  
The International Air Transport Association  
MPI 
Ministry for Primary Industries  
Official Veterinarian  
A veterinarian authorised by the Competent Authority of the country to perform certain designated official 
tasks associated with ani mal 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 Animal Health  
OIE Terrestrial Code  
The W orld Organisation for Animal Health Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Any reference in this standard to 
the OIE Code is to the most current as found on the OIE website: http://www.oie.int/international -standard -
setting/terrestrial -code/access -online/  Import Health Standard :  Zoo Tasmanian Devils from A ustralia  
 Draft  1.0 . 
Ministry for Primary Industries   Import Health Standard   Page  13 of 14  
Permit to import  
A permit issued by the Director General of MPI pursuant to section 24 (D)(2) of the Biosecurity Act 1993  
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  
Zoo (for the purposes of the definition zoo animal)  
A containment facility approved to the containment standard where live zoo animals are kept f or the purposes 
of public exhibition, conservation, research or education. Note: A zoo includes for example, a circus, butterfly 
house, aquarium or an oceanarium. A zoo may also hold indigenous animals that are not new organisms but 
these animals are not c overed by this Standard.  
Zoo animal  
A new organism approved under the Hazardous Substances and New Organism Act 1996 (HSNO) to be held 
in a zoo. The organism is both a new organism under the HSNO Act and a restricted organism under the 
Biosecurity Act 199 3.