Import Health Standard  
Issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fresh Onion for 
Consumption  
MPI.IHS.FP.ONION  
 28 November 2016  
 Import Health Standard : Fresh Onion for Consumption   
  28 November 201 6 
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  1 of 11 
TITLE  
Import Health Standard : Fresh Onion for Consumption  
COMMENCEMEN T 
This Import Health Standard  comes into force on  28/11/2016   
REVOCATION  
  
ISSUING AUTHORITY  
This Import Health Standard  is issued  under section 24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993.  
 
 
Dated at Wellington this   ….. day of  .........  
 
 
 
 
Peter Thomson  
Director , Plants, Food and Environment  
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   
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Contents  Page 
Introduction  3 
Part 1:  General Requirements  4 
1.1 Application  4 
1.2 Incorporation of material by refe rence  4 
1.3 Acronyms and definitions  4 
1.4 General  4 
1.5 Exporting country systems  4 
1.6 Export Plans  5 
1.7 Permit to import  5 
1.8 Transport requirements  5 
Part 2:  Specific Requiremen ts 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  7 
Part 3:  Documentation Requirements  8 
3.1 Phytosanitary inspection  8 
3.2 Phytosanitary certification  8 
Appendix 1: Acronyms and definitions  10 
Appendix 2: Amendment Record  11 
 
 
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Introduction  
This introduction  is not part of the  import health standard (IHS) , 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, eradicating 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 b oxes  and the guidance document: 
Importing Fresh Produce for Consumption (http://mpi.govt.nz/document -vault/13831 ). 
Who should read this?  
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 arri val in New Zealand, the consignment will be  treated, 
reshipped or destroyed , and depending 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 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 in this IHS.  
Equivalence will be  considered with reference to the International Standard fo r 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 Amendme nt Record for this IHS.  Import Health Standard : Fresh Onion for Consumption   
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Part 1:  General Requirements  
1.1 Application  
(1) This import health standard (IHS) applies  to the goods described in section 2.1: Commodity 
description.  
1.2 Incorporation of material by reference  
(1) The following document s are incorporated by referenc e 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 declared that section 142O(1) does not  apply, that is, a notice 
under section 142O(2) of the Act is not required to b e 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 IHS 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 Schedule 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: 
Importing Fresh Produce for Consumption  by using this link (http://mpi.govt.nz/document -
vault/13831 ). 
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.  Import Health Standard : Fresh Onion for Consumption   
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Guidance  
 Countries with exporting systems recognised by MPI are listed on the MPI website:  
http://mpi.govt.nz/importing/food/fresh -fruit-and-vegetables/requirements/epes t  
1.6 Export Plans  
(1) MPI and the exporting country NPPO m ust negotiate  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, certificati on 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:  
http://mpi.govt.nz/importing/food/fresh -fruit-and-vegetables/requirements/epest . 
 An Export Plan is only necessary when  Targeted or MPI- Specified  Measures  are req uired to 
manage the pests associated with the commodity.  
 An Export Plan is not necessary when only Basic M easures  are required to manage the pests 
associated with the commodity.  
1.7 Permit to import  
(1) A permit to import is not required unless specified 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 required from the transiting country, in 
accordance with ISPM 12: Phytosanitary certificates, and must accompany each consignment . 
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Part 2:  Specific R equirements  
2.1 Commodity description  
(1) Fresh onion  for consumption is de fined as commercially produced , harvested,  cured Allium cepa  bulbs 
with skin, minimal root material  attached and pseudostem trimmed  within 6 cm of the bulb, clean and 
free from soil.  
(2) This IHS applies only to cultivated types of Allium cepa  from the “Common  Onion Group” which are 
large and produced from seed.  
 
Guidance  
 The commodity description  aligns with the Class I requirements of the UNECE S TANDARD 
FFV-25 for onion  including the tolerances allowed. The UNECE STANDARD FFV -25 is  
available at http://www.unece.org/trade/agr/standard/fresh/ffv -standardse.html   
 Frozen, cooked, pickled, pureed  or dried onion  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 onions requiring Basic , Targeted , or MPI-Specified  Measures  is 
repro duced on the MPI website http://mpi.govt.nz/importing/food/fresh -fruit-and-
vegetables/requirements/epest . 
(2) The full list of regulated and non -regulated pests for New Zealand 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 onions  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) Appropriate  measures must be applied for each pest identified in ePest as requiring  Target ed 
Measure s. One (or more) of the following Targeted Measures  must be applied prior to export to New 
Zealand.  Import Health Standard : Fresh Onion for Consumption   
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a) Country freedom . No additional measures or an Export Plan are required where ‘country 
freedom’ status is recognised for the export ing country.  
 
Guidance  
 Country freedom status is  listed on the MPI  website  http://www.mpi.govt.nz/document -
vault/14974 . 
b) Pest free area . MPI will audit the management of pest free areas for compliance with ISPM 4: 
Requirements for the establishment of pest free areas . 
c) Pest free place of production .  MPI will audit the management of pest free plac e of production for 
compliance with ISPM 10 : Requirements for the establishment of pest free places of production 
and pest free production sites . 
d) Systems Approach . The components of a systems approach must be documented in the Export 
Plan and in accordance with ISPM 14: The use of integrated measur es in a systems approach for 
pest risk management.  
e) Pest control activities (in -field).  
f) End-point treatment.  
(2) The Targeted Measures must be applied in addition to the Basic Measures  used a s part of commercial 
production.  
(3) An export plan must be negotiated th at describes how measures will be applied to manage pests 
identified  by MPI as requiring targeted measures.  
 
Guidance  
 Targeted Measures  are required  to manage pests that are not sufficiently managed by Basic 
Measures. Targeted Measures  are subject to negotiation of an Export Plan.  
2.5 MPI- Specified Measures  
(1) There are n o pests  associated with this commodity which  require an  MPI- Specified Measure.  Import Health Standard : Fresh Onion for Consumption   
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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 onions  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 official 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 NPPO must include the following a ddition al 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 a n 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 declaration  on the phytosanitary certificate if 
applicable : 
a) “The plant products described herein have been sourced from {Name of Pest Free Area} 
recog nised as a pest free area for  specified pests by New Zealand .” 
 
Guidance  
 This additional declaration should be included  when a  commodity has been sourced from a 
pest free area .  
 Recognised pest free areas are listed on the MPI  website http://www.mpi.govt.nz/document -
vault/14977 . 
(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 
conce ntration must be recorded.  Import Health Standard : Fresh Onion for Consumption   
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(6) When the consignment is treated in -transit, t he NPPO must include  “Treated in -transit” in the 
“Disinfestation and /or Disinfection Treatment” area of the phytosanitary certificate.  
(7) The phytosanitary certificate must contain suffi cient detail to enable identification of the consignment 
and its component parts. Information must include country/place of origin and meet all requirements 
listed in Part 2: Specific Requirements  and Part 3: Documentation  Requirements . 
 
Guidance  
 A phytosa nitary  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 Onion for Consumption   
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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: M PI database 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 determine 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 whic h phytosanitary 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 di screte 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 Onion for Consumption   
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Appendix 2: Amendment Record  
The following table provides a summary  of the last amendment to the IHS for Fresh Onions  for Consumption.  
 
Schedule  Details  Date