Import Health Standard  
 
Zoo Marsupials and 
Monotremes  
ZOOMAMON.AUS  
. 
 
An import health standard issued under  the Biosecurity Act 1993  Import Health Standard:  Zoo Marsupials and Monotremes  
 Draft  for Consultation 15 April 2015  . 
TITLE  
Import Health Standard :  Zoo Marsupials and Monotremes  
COMMENCEMEN T 
This Import Health Standard  comes into force on ..  
ISSUING AUTHORITY  
This Import Health Standard  is issued under section 24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993 . 
 
Dated at Wellington this   ... day of   ......... 201 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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  
 
 
 
 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  1 of 13 Import Health Standard:  Zoo Marsupials and Monotremes  
 Draft  for Consultation 15 April 2015  . 
Contents  Page 
Introduction 3 
Part 1:  General Requirements  5 
1.1 Application 5 
1.2 The outcome this standard is seeking to achieve  5 
1.3 Incorporation of material by reference  5 
1.4 Definitions  6 
1.5 Pre-export isolation  6 
1.6 Transport  6 
1.7 Permit to import  7 
1.8 The documentation that must accompany goods  7 
1.9 Biosecurity authorisation  8 
1.10  Transitional facility and containment facility  8 
Part 2:  Specified Requirements for Identified Risk Organisms 9 
2.1 Model Veterinary Certificate 9 
Schedule 1 –  Document History  12 
Schedule 2 –  Definitions  13 
 
 
 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  2 of 13 Import Health Standard:  Zoo Marsupials and Monotremes  
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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  
(1) This IHS specifies  the minimum requirements that must be met when importing  zoo marsupials and 
monotremes into New Zealand  from Australia . 
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 t he Act set out requirements to be met to effectively manage 
biosecurity risks associated with importing goods. They include requirements that must be met in the exporting country, during transit, and during importation, before biosecurity clearance can be given . 
Who should read this import health standard ? 
(1) This IHS applies to importers of eligible consignments of  zoo marsupials and monotremes  from 
Australia . 
Why is this important ? 
(1) It is the importer’s responsibility to ensure the requirements of this IH S 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. 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 determined. Importers are liable for all associated expenses . 
Equivalence 
(1) The Chief Technical Officer (CTO) may approve measures under section 27(1)(d) of the Act, different from those set out in this IHS, that may be applied to effectively manage risks associated with the 
importation of  these goods.  If an equivalent measure is approved a permit to import may be issued 
under section 24D(2) of t he Act, if the Director -General considers it appropriate to do so.  
 
Guidance for equivalence  
 
• MPI’s preference is that the exporting country’s Competent Authority makes equivalence requests. 
Equivalence requests can be lodged with animalimports@mpi.govt.nz  . 
• MPI may accept an alternative method, system or process that can be shown to achieve the biosecurity 
requirements of the IHS (i.e. equivalence).  
• A permit may be required where speci fic equivalence measures are approved by MPI as per the 
equivalence clause in the IHS. A permit to import serves as evidence of equivalence decisions and will be written as specific notes in the special conditions section of the permit.  
• Permit to import application forms can be found on the MPI website at: http://www.mpi.govt.nz/
. 
• Completed applications are lodged with animal imports animalimports@mpi.govt.nz . 
 
Documen t history  
(1) Refer to Schedule 1.  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  3 of 13 Import Health Standard:  Zoo Marsupials and Monotremes  
 Draft  for Consultation 15 April 2015  . 
Other information  
(1) This 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.  
CITES  
(2) 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 .  
(3) 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.  
Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)  
(4) Obtaining biosecurity authority for entry of zoo marsupials and monotremes into New Zealand requires 
both containment approval from the EPA for that particular species of marsupial  or monotreme and the 
consignment meeting the requirements of this IHS . 
 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  4 of 13 Import Health Standard:  Zoo Marsupials and Monotremes  
 Draft  for Consultation 15 April 2015  . 
Part 1:  General Requirements 
1.1 Application  
(1) This IHS applies to all importers of specified zoo marsupials and monotremes eligible for import into 
New Zealand from Australia . 
1.1.1 Eligibility  
(1) The zoo marsupials must be of the following species:  
a) Red Kangaroo ( Macropus ruf us) 
b) Eastern Grey Kangaroo ( Macropus giganteus ) 
c) Western Grey Kangaroo ( Macropus fuliginosus ) 
d) Swamp Wallaby ( Wallabia bicolour ) 
e) Brush Tailed Rock Wallaby ( Petrogale penicillata ) 
f) Red Necked Wallaby ( Macropus rufogriseus ) 
g) Common Wombat ( Vombatus ursinus )  
h) Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat ( Lasiorhinus latifrons ) 
i) Koala ( Phascolarctos cinereus ) 
j) Feather Tailed Glider ( Acrobates pygmaeus ) 
k) Long Nosed Potoroo ( Potorous tridactylus ) 
(2) The zoo monotremes must be of the following species : 
a) Short Beaked Echidna ( Tachyglossus aculeatus )  
(3) The marsupials and monotremes must:  
a) Be imported from Australia n zoos . 
b) Be weaned, healthy and fit to travel.  
c) Be identified with a microchip prior to export. The identification number  must be shown on the 
Veterinary C ertificate accompanying the animals.  
d) Have been free from quarantine restrictions  imposed by the exporting country  for at least 90 days 
prior to the date of export.  
1.2 The outcome this standard  is seeking to achieve  
(1) The outcome this IHS is seeking to achieve is the effective management of biosecurity risks associated with eligible consignments  of marsupials and monotremes from Australia . Refer to Part 2 for specified 
requirements for identified risk organisms : 
a) Internal parasites  
b) External parasites  
c) Weeds/weed seeds  
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 International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animals Regu lations (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 . 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  5 of 13 Import Health Standard:  Zoo Marsupials and Monotremes  
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(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 p ublished before material that amends or 
replaces the above listed standards, guideline or lists has legal effect as part of these documents . 
 
Guidance for incorporation of material by reference  
 
• Incorporation by reference means that standards, guidelines or lists are incorporated into the IHS and 
they form part of the requirements.  
• Where the IHS states that section 142O(1) of the Biosecurity Act does not apply, this means that 
importers need to r efer to the most recent version of any standards, guidelines or lists that are 
incorporated by reference in the IHS.  
 
 
1.4 Definitions  
(1) For the purposes of this IHS 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  to this IHS . 
1.5 Pre-export isolation  
(1) The marsupials and monotremes must be he ld in pre- export quarantine for at least 30 days prior to the 
scheduled date of export to New Zealand. The pre -export premises must be approved and supervised 
by an Official Veterinarian.  
(2) The animals must be isolated from other animals not of the same health and residency status, and must remain free from clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease during pre -export quarantine.  
1.6 Transport  
(1) Animal cages must be securely fastened (but need not be sealed) and comply with the following travel 
requireme nts: 
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 Mari ne Orders  Part 43, Issue 6 (which is equivalent to the New 
Zealand Marine Rules  Part 24C).  
(2) Only sterilised peat, soft board , paper, a towel  or other inert products may be used as bedding. Straw 
or hay bedding is not permitted.  
(3) Just before takeoff the anima l compartment must be sprayed with an effective insecticide.  
(4) Other animals on the same aircraft or ship as any zoo  marsupials or monotremes must  also qualify for 
entry into New Zealand.  
(5) Transit through other countries requires approval by MPI. If approved,  arrangements for transit 
authorities and meeting these countries requirements are the responsibility of the importer.  
(6) The importer must notify the date, expected time  of arrival , port of arrival and the flight number or 
vessel  name to the New Zealand Official Veterinarian at the airport/port of arrival at least 7 days in 
advance of importation. Please email applicable arrival port:  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  6 of 13 Import Health Standard:  Zoo Marsupials and Monotremes  
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a) Auckland:  mqsakav@mpi.govt.nz  
b) Wellington:  wellingtoncertification@mpi.govt.nz  
c) Christchurch:  liveanimalgroup@mpi.govt.nz  
 
Guidance for transport  
 
• Containers made of timber must meet the requirements of the IHS Wood Packaging Material from All 
Countries . 
 
 
1.7 Permit to import  
(1) A permit to import is required prior to the importation of eligible zoo  marsupials and  monotremes from 
Australia.  
(2) Permit to import application forms can be found on the MPI website at: 
http://www.m pi.govt.nz/document -vault/2691 . 
(3) Completed applications can be submitted to Animal Imports animalimports@mpi.govt.nz . 
1.8 The documentation that must accompany goods  
(1) The consignment must arrive in New Zealand wit h the following:   
a) Permit to import issued by MPI (copy acceptable)  for a single consignment only . The importer 
must supply the following information to obtain a permit:  
i) The n ame and address of exporter.  
ii) The n umber, sex, age, species and microchip transponder identification  of the animal.  
iii) The d ate of proposed importation.  
iv) The n ame and address of the containment facility in New Zealand to which the 
consignment is to proceed following importation . 
v) The p ort of arrival, route and means of transport to t he containment facility.  
b) Veterinary certificate, that must include the following:  
i) A unique consignment identifier.  
ii) The d escription, species  and number of animals . 
iii) The n ame and address of the importer (consignee) and exporter (consignor).  
iv) The name, signature and contact details of the Official Veterinarian.  
v) Specified requirements, outlined in Part 2 of this IHS, to be certified and endorsed by the 
Official Veterinarian.  
(2) The exporting country’s Official Veterinarian must certify the consignment meets all the requirements 
of this IHS.  
(3) All documents  must:  
a) Be origin al, unless otherwise stated  in this IHS . 
b) Accompany the imported goods.  
c) Be in English or have an English translatio n that is clear and legible.  
d) Be endorsed on every page by the Official Veteri narian with their original stamp, signature and 
date or be endorsed in the space allocated and all pages have paper based alternative security features  (except the permit to import) . 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  7 of 13 Import Health Standard:  Zoo Marsupials and Monotremes  
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(4) Copies of all documentation must be sent to the New Zealand Official Vete rinarian at the airport/port of 
arrival at least 72 hours in advance of importation.  
1.9 Biosecurity authorisation  
(1) A biosecurity authorisation may be given,  by an Official Veterinarian , under section 2 9 of the Act, 
authorising direction of the marsupials  and monotremes to  the transitional facility named on the MPI 
permit to import . 
1.10 Transitional facility and containment facility 
(1) Following biosecurity authorisation being given, the animals must proceed directly to the transitional 
facility  named on the perm it to import . 
(2) The crates  that they travelled in  must be cleaned and disinfected and all feed, bedding material and 
faeces from the crate  and transitional facility must be destroyed as biosecurity waste.  
(3) The animals and their offspring must remain permanent ly in a containment facility and may only be 
transferred to another containment facility with the prior biosecurity authori sation given under section 
29 of the Act.  
 
Guidance for transitional facility and containment facility  
 
• The documentation will be ch ecked to ensure it meets all  requirements noted under Part 1 General 
Requirements, and Part 2 Specified Requirements (v eterinary certific ation), of this import hea lth 
standard . 
• Providing the consignment meets all requirements in the veterinary certificate outlined in Part 2 of this 
IHS the supervising Official Veterinarian will, under section 29 o f the 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  . 
 
 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  8 of 13 Import Health Standard:  Zoo Marsupials and Monotremes  
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Part 2:  Specified Requirements for Identified Risk Organisms 
2.1 Model Veterinary Certificate  
(1) Zoo marsupials and monotremes from Australia must meet all the specified requirements included in 
the following veterinary certificate : 
 
Country:  Australia  
Certificate reference number:  Import permit number:  
1. Importer name:  
Address : 
 
 2. Exporter name:  
Address:  
3. Country of destination: New Zealand  4. Country  of origin: Australia  
 
5. Description of commodity:  Species  
 
Microchip Number  Site of Microchip  Other ID  
(E.g. ARKS number)  M/F Date of Birth  
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
Official Veterinarian : 
Name:  
Address:  
  
Signature:  
Date :  
  Official Veterinarian signature, 
Official stamp and date  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  9 of 13 Import Health Standard:  Zoo Marsupials and Monotremes  
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Country: Australia  Certificate reference number:  
 
I,………………………………………………………………… an Official Veterinarian authorised by the Competent Authority of 
Australia, certify after due enquiry, with respect to the  marsupials and/  or monotremes identified in this veterinary certificate, that:  
(1) 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  
(2) The animals were held in pre- export isolation (PEI):  
(a) For a minimum period of 30 days prior t o 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 PEI. 
(3) The PEI premise s had: 
(a) Impervious washable floors and walls, OR  
(b) A fenced impervious pad without walls , surrounded by a cleared area free of vegetation; OR  
(c) Floors that were able to be swept, cleaned and serviced daily and surrounded by a cleared area free from 
vegetation for the first 20 days of PEI. During the last 10 days of PEI, premises  had impervious floors and walls . 
(Note this option requires an additional tick inspection within 10 days prior to export ). 
 (4) Bedding  and feed were clean and free from evidence of contamination with ticks and weeds/weed seeds.  
(a) Prior to housing the animals, the premises were thoroughly cleaned and sprayed with an acaricide.  Bedding was 
removed every 10 days and the premises was thoroughl y cleaned and sprayed with acaricide ; OR 
(b) Prior to housing the animals, the premises were thoroughly cleaned and sprayed with a long lasting acaric ide. 
Bedding was removed every 10 days.  
(5) While in PEI the animals were fed only feed showing no evidence of contamination with ticks and weeds/weeds seeds.  
 
(6) The animals have been free from quarantine restrictions imposed by the exporting country for at least 90 days prior to the 
date of export.  
 
Treatments  
(7) Internal parasites  
(a) Each animal was treated twice with an endoparasiticide/s efficacious against  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: ............................................................................................  
(8) External parasites  
(a) In the 3 days after arrival in PEI, and repeated in the 3 days prior to export to New Zealand, the monotremes and/or 
marsupials were treated with an efficacious ectoparasiticide.  
Ectoparasiticide/s used: ....................................................................................  
Active ingredient(s): ………………………………………………………………….  
Date of treatment 1: ............................................................................................  
Date of treatment 2: ............................................................................................  
 
Inspection and transport  
(9) Each marsupial and/ or monotreme 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 appeared to be fit for  travel.  
 
(10) For animals that have not spent 30 days PEI on an impervious floor (see 3c), an additional ectoparasite examination was 
conducted on……………………………………………………………………………………  
 (11) As far as can be determined:  
(a) The vehicles in which the animals  will be transported to the port of departure were cleaned and disinfected prior to 
loading , using an effective disinfectant . 
(b) During transport to the port of departure the animals will be kept isolated from  animals that are not of equivalent 
health status . 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  10 of 13 Import Health Standard:  Zoo Marsupials and Monotremes  
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(c) During transport to the port of departure and during transit to New Zealand, all bedding provided will be free from 
evidence of contamination with ticks and weeds/weed seeds . 
(d) If shipped by air, the animals will be shipped in accordance with the International Air Transport 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.  
(e) The crates or pens to be used for transporting the animals to New Zealand are eit her new or if previously used will 
be cleaned and disinfected with an effective  disinfectant.  
(f) No other animals are being transported in the aircraft or ship except animals officially certified as  eligible for import 
into New Zealand.  
 
Official Veterinarian:  
Name:  
Address:  
Signature:  
Date:  Office Details:  
Name:  
Address : 
 
 Official Veterinarian signature, 
Official stamp and date  
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  11 of 13 Import Health Standard:  Zoo Marsupials and Monotremes  
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Schedule 1 –  Document History  
Date First Issued  Title Shortcode  
 Marsupials and Monotremes  ZOOMAMON.AUS  
Date of Issued A mendments  Title Shortcode  
   
   
 
 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  12 of 13 Import Health Standard:  Zoo Marsupials and Monotremes  
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Schedule  2 – Definitions  
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 . 
IATA  
The International Air Transport Association .  
MPI 
Ministry for Primary Industries , New Zealand.  
Official Veterinarian  
A veterinarian authorised by the Competent Authority of the exporting country to perform certain designated 
official tasks associated with animal 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 Code  
The World 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 . 
Permit to I mport  
A written order issued by the Director -General of MPI under section 24 (D)(2) of the Act.  
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 . 
Ministry for Primary Industries    Page  13 of 13