Import Health Standard 
Issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Oncidium  Cut Flowers  
MPI.IHS.CFF .ONCIDIUM  
21 December 2017  
 Import Health Standard:  Oncidium Cut Flowers   
 Draft for Consultation 21 December 2017 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  1 of 10 
TITLE  
Import Health Standard : Oncidium Cut Flowers  
COMMENCEMEN T 
This Import Health Standard  comes into force on  [Effective Date]  
ISSUING AUTHORITY  
This Import Health Standard  is issued  under section 24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993.  
 
Dated at Wellington this   ... day of  ......... 
 
 
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: plantimpor ts@mpi.govt.nz
  
 Import Health Standard:  Oncidium Cut Flowers   
 Draft for Consultation 21 December 2017 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  2 of 10 
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  4 
1.5 Permit to import  5 
Part 2:  Specific Requirements 6 
2.1 Basic Measures  6 
2.2 Targeted Measures  6 
2.3 MPI- Specified Measures  6 
Part 3:  Inspection, Verification and Documentation Requirements  7 
3.1 Phytosanitary inspection  7 
3.2 Phytosanitary certification  7 
3.3 Additional declarations  8 
Appendix 1: Acronyms and definitions  9 
 
 
 Import Health Standard:  Oncidium Cut Flowers   
 Draft for Consultation 21 December 2017 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  3 of 10 
Introduction 
This introduction  is not part of the  import health standard (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 (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 organ isms. IHSs include measures that must be applied 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 fac ility, 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, destruction 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 expenses.  
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 protecti on 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 His tory 
Refer to Appendix 2 for the Amendment Record for this IHS.  
 
 Import Health Standard:  Oncidium Cut Flowers   
 Draft for Consultation 21 December 2017 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  4 of 10 
Part 1:  General Requirements 
1.1 Application  
(1) This Import Health S tandard (IHS) applies  to cut flowers  of the genus Oncidium  imported for decorative 
purposes (‘ Oncidium  cut flowers ’).  
(2) Oncidium  cut flowers are defined as commercially produced and harvest ed cut flowers and foliage, 
including fresh flowers, stems, foliage, and branches, harvested for decorative purposes. Oncidium  cut 
flowers does not include roots or pseudo bulbs associated with th ese products.  
(3) This IHS  does not  apply to Oncidium  cut flowers  imported for other purposes (e.g. propagation).  
 
Guidance  
• Dried, preserved Oncidium  cut flowers; or Oncidium  cut flowers for testing, analysis or research may be 
imported but are covered by  MPI.STD.PLANTMATERIAL: Dried and Preserved Plant Material, and 
Fresh Plant Material for Testing, Analysis or Research . 
• Cut flowers and foliage may be imported for propagation but are covered by the MPI IHS 155.02.06: 
Importation of nursery stock . 
1.2 Incorpo ration by reference  
(1) The following documents 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 pla ces 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 28.  Phytosanitary treatments for regulated pests.  Rome, IPPC, FAO  
• ISPM 31.  Methodologies for sampling of consignm ents. Rome, IPPC, FAO  
(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 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.  
1.4 General  
(1) Importers may only import Oncidium  cut flowers from a country where:  
a) the NPPO has provided evidence to the satisfaction of a Chief Techni cal Officer (CTO) that the 
exporting country has an Exporting Country System  that complies with ISPM 7. Phytosanitary Import Health Standard:  Oncidium Cut Flowers   
 Draft for Consultation 21 December 2017 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  5 of 10 
certification system . The Exporting Country System  (including programmes and standards) must 
demonstrate the process used to provide expor t assurance.  
b) an Export Plan  that details the activities and processes established to achieve the Targeted  
Measures identified in Part 2 of this IHS have  been approved by the CTO.  
 
Guidance  
• Countries that meet the requirements in 1.4 (1) a) and 1.4 (1) b) for Oncidium  cut flowers 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 Oncidium  cut flowers must be included in documentation (specified in Part 3) 
accompanying the consignment.  
(4) In order to obtain biosecurity clearan ce all consignments of Oncidium  cut flowers i nto New Zealand 
must: 
a) be free of soil and extraneous material, including flowers and leaves of the plant;  
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 accompanied by documentation that meets the requirements of Part 3.  
(5) Oncid ium cut flowers must not be used for any purpose other than described in Part 1.1(1), such as 
propagation or animal feed.  
 
Guidance  
• A list of pests associated with Oncidium  cut flowers can be found in ePest  
(http://mpi.govt.nz/importing/food/fresh -fruit-and-vegetable s/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 an 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) 
weed seeds  (https://www.mpi.govt.nz/document -vault/7111 ) can be found on the MPI website.  
• If, during an official inspection, the N PPO detects a pest that is not listed in ePest  or BORIC  
(http://mpi.govt.nz/news -and-resources/resources/registers -and-lists/biosecurity -organisms -
register -for-imported -commodities/ ), MPI should be contacted to establish the regulatory status 
of the pest.  
• Further information can be found in Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Guidance Document: 
Fresh Produce for Consumption  (http://mpi.govt.nz/document -vault/13831 ). 
1.5 Permit to import  
(1) A permit to import is not required unless specified in Part 3: Inspection, Verificat ion and Documentation 
Requirements . 
 
 Import Health Standard:  Oncidium Cut Flowers   
 Draft for Consultation 21 December 2017 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  6 of 10 
Part 2:  Specific Requirements 
2.1 Basic Measures 
(1) Oncidium  cut flowers  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 Targeted Measures  
(1) The f ollowing  pests require Targeted Measures : 
• Tetranychus kanzawai  
• Thrips hawaiiensis  
• Thrips palmi  
• Scritothrips dorsalis  
(2) At least one of the following Targeted Measures  must be applied in relation to each pest listed above in 
Part 2.2(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 : the Oncidium  cut flowers is  sourced from a pest free area established in 
accordance with ISPM 4 . Requirements for the establishment of pest free areas . MPI will audit 
the management of pest free areas for compliance with ISPM 4 .  
c) Pest Free Place of Production : the Oncidium  cut flowers  is sourced from a pest free place of 
production established in accordance with ISPM 10.  Requirements for the establishment of pest 
free places of production and pest free production sites . 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 . The use of integrated measures in a systems approach 
for pest risk management .  
e) In-field Pest Controls : pest control activities in -field are undertaken that are effective for 
managing the pests, consistent with  good agricultural practice.   
f) End-point Treatment : an end -point treatment that is effective for managing the pest s in 
accordan ce with the efficacy requirements of ISPM 28. Phytosanitary treatments for regulated 
pests  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 r elate to that measure must be outlined in the Export Plan . 
2.3 MPI- Specified Measures  
(1) There are no pests associated with this commodity which have been identified to require an MPI - 
Specified Measure.  
  Import Health Standard:  Oncidium Cut Flowers   
 Draft for Consultation 21 December 2017 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  7 of 10 
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 Oncidium  cut flowers. T he 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 ISPM 31 . Methodologies for sampling of consignments , Appendix 2 ;  
b) visually inspect each sample unit  according to official procedures in accordance with ISPM 23. 
Guidelines for inspection  for all pests  and unwanted orga nisms  regulated by New Zealand . A 
sample unit for the purpose of this IHS is considered to be a single Oncidium  stem;  
c) verify that the Basic Measures  and Targeted  Measures have been applied as outlined in Part 2: 
Specific Requirements ;  
d) reconcile that the n umber 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 acc ompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the NPPO in 
accordance with ISPM 12. Phytosanitary certificates  and meeting the specified requirements set out in 
this Part. 
(2) The phytosanitary certificate must include : 
a) sufficient detail to enable identific ation of the consignment and its component parts. Information 
must include country/place of origin;  
b) full details of any end point treatments applied to Oncidium  cut flowers in the “Disinfestation 
and/or Disinfection Treatment” area of the phytosanitary ce rtificate or as an NPPO -endorsed 
attachment to the phytosanitary certificate. All details of the treatment including minimum 
irradiation dose, duration and temperature, chemical (active ingredient) and concentration must 
be recorded;  
c) the following declara tion: 
“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 i mporting 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, the certificate must state “Treated in -transit” in the 
“Disinfestation and /or Disinfection Treatment” area of the phytosanitary certificate.  
(4) If a c onsignment of Oncidium  cut flowers 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 issued if viable regulated  pests and viable unwanted 
organisms  are detected, unless an appropriate phytosanitary measure has been applied . 
 Import Health Standard:  Oncidium Cut Flowers   
 Draft for Consultation 21 December 2017 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  8 of 10 
3.3 Additional declarations  
(1) The phytosanitary certificate must also include the following ad ditional declaration when Targeted or 
MPI-Specified Measures  (Parts 2.2 and 2.3) are required :  
a) “This consignment was produced and prepared for export in accordance with the agreed Export 
Plan.”  
  Import Health Standard:  Oncidium Cut Flowers   
 Draft for Consultation 21 December 2017 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  9 of 10 
Appendix 1: Acronyms and 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 Organization 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.  
Viable  
In relation to a pest or unwanted organism, means capable of reproduction and/or development.  Import Health Standard:  Oncidium Cut Flowers   
 Draft for Consultation 21 December 2017 
Ministry for Primary Industries  Page  10 of 10 
Appendix 2: Amendment Record  
The following table provides a summary of the last amendment to the IHS for Oncidium Cut Flowers . 
 
Section(s)  Details  Date