Import Health Standard  
 
Natural Sausage Casings  
MEACASIC.ALL  
. 
 
An import health standard issued under  the Biosecurity Act 1993  Import Health Standard :  Natural Sa usage Casings  
 Draft  for Consultation  . 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  1 of 11 TITLE  
Import Health Standard :  Natural Sausage Casings  
COMMENCEMEN T 
This Import Health Standard  comes into force on .. 
REVOCATION  
This Import Health Standard  revokes and replaces  the following IHS’s:  
 Importing Porcine Sausage Casings from Canada and the USA, 2 December 2004  
 Importing Sausage Casings from Australia, 31 January 2000  
 Import Health Standard for  Natural Casings (Porcine/Ovine/Caprine) for Human Consumption from the 
European Union, 28 June 2012  
ISSUING AUTHORITY  
This Import Health Standard  is issued under section 24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993.  
 
Dated at Wellington this   ... day of   ......... 2014  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Howard Pharo  
Manager, Import and Export Animals  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
(acting under delegated authority of the Director General)  
 
 
Contact for further information  
Ministry for Primary Industries  (MPI)  
Regulation & Assurance   
Animal Imports  
PO Box 2526   
Wellington 6140  
Email:  animalimports@mpi.govt.nz  
 
 
 
 Import Health Standard :  Natural Sa usage Casings  
 Draft  for Consultation  . 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  2 of 11 Contents  Page 
Introduction  3 
Part 1:  General Requirements  5 
1.1 Application  5 
1.2 The outcom e this IHS is seeking to achieve  5 
1.3 Incorporation of material by reference  5 
1.4 Definitions  5 
1.5 Exporting country systems and certification  5 
1.6 Processing  6 
1.7 Packaging and storage  6 
1.8 Permit to import  6 
1.9 The documentation that must accompany goods  6 
1.10 Biosecurity clearance  7 
Part 2:  Specified Requirements for Identified Risk Organisms  8 
2.1 Classical swine fever virus (CSFV)  8 
Schedule 1 – Document History  9 
Schedule 2 – Definitions  10 
 
 
 Import Health Standard :  Natural Sa usage Casings  
 Draft  for Consultation  . 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  3 of 11 Introduction  
This introduction is not part of the import health standard  (IHS) , but is intended to indicate its general effect.  
Purpose  
(1) This IHS specifies the minimum requirements that must be met when importing natural sausage 
casings from cattle, pigs, sheep or goats . 
Backgro und 
(1) The Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) provides the legal basis for excluding, eradicating and effectively 
managing pests and unwanted organisms.  
(2) Import health standards issued under the Act specify requirements 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 
importat ion, before biosecurity clearance can be given.  
(3) A guidance document for natural sausage casings accompanies this IHS providing information on how 
the requirements may be met.  
Who should read this import health standard ? 
(1) This IHS applies to importers of eligible consignments of natural sausage casings . 
Why is this important ? 
(1) It is the importer’s responsibility 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 int o New Zealand and/or 
further information may be sought from importers. Consignments that do not comply with the 
requirements of this IHS may be re -shipped or destroyed under the Act or treated in accordance with 
this IHS prior to release or equivalence det ermined. Importers are liable for all associated expenses.  
See guidance document for more information about importer responsibilities.  
Equivalence  
(1) The Chief Technical Officer (CTO) may approve measures under section 27(1)(d) of the Act, different 
from th ose set out in this IHS, that may be applied to effectively manage risks associated with the 
importation of  these goods.  If an equivalence measure is approved a permit to import may be issued 
under section 24D(2) of the Act, if the Director -General consi ders it appropriate to do so.  
See guidance document for more information about equivalence  and permits . 
Document history  
(1) Refer to Schedule 1.  
Other information  
(1) This IHS is not an exhaustive list of compliance requirements and it is the importer’s responsibility to 
be familiar with and comply with all New Zealand laws.  
See guidance document for mo re information about inspection and verification.  Import Health Standard :  Natural Sa usage Casings  
 Draft  for Consultation  . 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  4 of 11 Food Act 1981 and Animal P roducts Act 1999  
(2) Commercial consignments of products imported into New Zealand for human consumption must 
comply with relevant requirements of the Food Act 1981, the Food Act 2014  as it comes into force, the 
Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, and t he Animal Products Act 1999.  
See guidance document for more information about the Food Act 1981  and Animal Products Act 1999.  Import Health Standard :  Natural Sa usage Casings  
 Draft  for Consultation  . 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  5 of 11 Part 1:  General Requirements  
1.1 Application  
(1) This IHS applies to the following sausage casings import ed from all countries :  
a) Natural sausage casings derived from porcine animals (pigs), comprised of t he submucosa l 
tissue layer of the intestine .  
b) Natural sausage casings derived from bovine animals (cattle), comprised of all major intestinal 
tissue layers , with the exception of the ileum.  After processing , only a small amount of mucosa 
and lymphoid tissue remain . 
c) Natural sausage casings derived from caprine (goats) or ovine animals (sheep), comprised of the 
submucosal tissue layer of the small intestine.  
1.2 The outcome this IHS is seeking t o achieve  
(1) The outcome this IHS is seeking to achieve is the effective management of biosecurity risks associated 
with eligible consignments of  natural sausage casings .  
(2) The biosecurity risk organisms associated with the product  specifically managed by this  IHS are:  
a) Classical swine fever virus (porcine casings) .  
1.3 Incorporation of material by reference  
(1) The following international standards are incorporated by reference in this IHS under section 142M of 
the Act:  
a) The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)  Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for 
Terrestrial Animals  (the Manual ). 
b) The OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code  (the Code ). 
1.4 Definitions  
(1) For the purposes of this standard and the attached guidance document, terms used that are defined in 
the Act have the meanings set out there. The Act is available at the following website: 
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/    
(2) See Schedule 2 for additional  definitions that apply . 
1.5 Exporting country systems and certification  
(1) Importers may import e ligible product  only from a country where the Competent Authority has provided 
evidence to the satisfaction of a CTO of the following:  
a) The verifiable animal health status of animal  populations in the exporting country, zone or 
compartment, with respect to biosecurity risk organisms of concern.  
b) The national systems/programmes and standards in the exporting country for regulatory 
oversight of the meat  industry.  
c) The capabilities and preferences of the exporting country’s Competent Authority with respect to 
achieving equivalent outcomes to requirements stated in this IHS.  Import Health Standard :  Natural Sa usage Casings  
 Draft  for Consultation  . 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  6 of 11 (2) Once satisfied, MPI and the Competent Authority may commence negotiation of country -specific 
veterinary certification.  
See guidance document for more information about exporting country system s and certification  and for 
more information about countries with approved exporting systems that meet the requirements above.  
1.6 Processing  
(1) Natural sausage casings must be derived from animals that have passed ante -mortem and post -
mortem inspection s. 
(2) The gut contents of casings must be removed and the casings must be cleaned and scraped according 
to GMP or HACCP programmes to the satisfaction of the Competent Authority  in that country . 
(3) The casings must be stored at room temperature in either dry salt or saturated brine for a minimum of 
30 days.  
1.7 Packaging and storage  
(1) The product for export must be commercially packaged in sealed, leak -proof packaging.  
(2) The product for export must be stored and subsequently transported in a hygienic manner and be kept 
free of contaminants.  
(3) The container that the product for export will be transported  in must be sealed under Competent 
Authority supervision and the unique seal number and date of sealing must be recorded on the 
veterinary certificate.  
1.8 Permit  to import  
(1) A permi t to import under section 24 D of the Act is required if a CTO has approved a n equivalent  
measure prior to import , different from th at set  in the IHS that may be applied to effectively manage 
risks.  
(2) A permit to import is not required where a CTO has approv ed an equivalent  measure prior to import , 
different from th at set  in the IHS in the form of a negotiated veterinary certificate.  
1.9 The documentation that must accompany goods  
(1) The consignment must arrive with  the following  documentation : 
a) A veterinary certificate  from the exporting country’s Official Veterinarian . Where equivalen t 
measures have  been negotiated and agreed with a CTO , a country -specific veterinary certificate 
must be used . 
b) A copy of a permit to import if required  by clause 1. 8(1). The imp orter must apply to the Director -
General for a permit to import and include the  following information to obtain a permit:  
i) The name and address of exporter.  
ii) The type of  product.  
iii) Name and address of the New Zealand importer . 
(2) A veterinary certificate that acc ompanies a consignment must include all of the following:  
a) A unique consignment identifier.  
b) The description, species, and amount of product.  
c) The name and address of the importer (consignee) and exporter (consignor).  Import Health Standard :  Natural Sa usage Casings  
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Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  7 of 11 d) The name, signature and contact details o f the Official Veterinarian.  
e) Certification and endorsement that the general requirements outlined in Part 1 of this IHS have 
been met for processing , packaging, and storage.  
f) Certification and endorsement that details how each specified requirement  outlined in Part 2 of 
the IHS have  been met.  
(3) A separate veterinary certificate must be supplied for each species  from which the product for export 
has been sourced.  
See guidance document for more information about the model certificate and country specifi c 
veterinary certificates  that have been agree d for trade . 
(4) All documents must:  
a) Accompany the imported goods.  
b) Be in English or have an English translation that is clear and legible.  
c) Be endorsed on every page by the Official Veterinarian with their original  stamp, signature and 
date or be endorsed in the space allocated and all pages have paper based alternative security 
features.  
1.10 Biosecurity clearance  
(1) A biosecurity clearance, under section 26 of the Act, may be issued when the product meet s all the 
requirem ents of this IHS, provided the applicable requirements in section 27 of the Act are met.  Import Health Standard :  Natural Sa usage Casings  
 Draft  for Consultation  . 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  8 of 11 Part 2:  Specified Requirements for Identified Risk Organisms  
2.1 Classical swine fever virus (CSFV)  
Guidance: Natural sausage casings derived from cattle, sheep and goats are not subjected to risk 
management measures for CSFV . 
(1) Natural s ausage casings derived from pigs may be imported provided that they have been : 
a) Derived from animals c ontinuously resident in countries, zones or compartments where CSFV 
has not been recognised in acc ordance with the OIE Code for the 12 months prior to slaughter; 
or 
b) Salted for at least 30 days with  supplemented dry salt or saturated brine (Aw< 0.80) containing 
86.5% NaCl, 10.7% Na 2HPO 4 and 2.8% Na 3PO 4 (weight/weight/weight) and  kept at a 
temperature of  greater than 20°C during this entire period . Import Health Standard :  Natural Sa usage Casings  
 Draft  for Consultation  . 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  9 of 11 Schedule  1 – Document History  
 
Date First Issued  Title Shortcode  
 Natural Sausage Casings  MEACASIC. ALL 
Date of Issued A mendments  Title Shortcode  
   
   Import Health Standard :  Natural Sa usage Casings  
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Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  10 of 11 Schedule 2 – Definitions  
Ante -Mortem Inspection  
An Official Veterinarian or Competent Authority approved veterinarian inspection on the day of slaughter to 
determine freedom from clinical signs of infectious diseases in animals destined for product for export to New 
Zealand.  
Compartment  
An animal subpop ulation contained in one or more establishments under a common biosecurity management 
system with a distinct health status with respect to a specific disease or specific diseases for which required 
surveillance, control and biosecurity measures have been a pplied for the purpose of international trade.  
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 measu res, 
international veterinary certification and other standards and recommendations in the Code  in the whole 
territory.  
GMP 
Good Manufacturing Practice  (GMP ) is a system to ensure that products meet food safety, quality and legal 
requirements of the country of manufacture.  
HACCP  
Hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP ) is a systematic preventive approach to food safety from 
biological, chemical, and physical hazards in production processes that can cause the finished product to be 
unsafe, a nd designs measurements to reduce these risks to a safe level.  
Official Veterinarian  
A veterinarian authorised by the Competent Authority of the country to perform certain designated official 
tasks associated with animal health and/or public health and ins pections 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.  
Post -Mortem Inspection  
An Official Veterinarian or Competent Aut hority approved veterinarian inspection on the day of slaughter to 
determine freedom from clinical signs of infectious diseases in animals destined for product for export to New 
Zealand.  
Surveillance  
Competent Authority supervised systematic ongoing collec tion, collation, and analysis of information related to 
animal health and the timely dissemination of information so that action can be taken. For the purposes of this 
IHS, for risk organisms, where disease specific surveillance recommendations are made in  the Code , the 
Code  recommendations must be met. For other risk organisms, surveillance must meet the recommendations 
in the Code  Chapter for animal health surveillance.  
The Code  Import Health Standard :  Natural Sa usage Casings  
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Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  11 of 11 The OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code, as found on the OIE website.  
The Manu al  
The OIE Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals.  
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 hea lth requirements which are fulfilled by the exported 
commodities.  
Zone  
A clearly defined part of a territory containing an animal subpopulation with a distinct health status with 
respect to a specific disease for which required surveillance, control and biosecurity measures have been 
applied for the purpose of international trade.