Import Health Standard 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Fresh and Frozen Truffles 
for Consumption  
MPI.IHS.FP.TRUFFLE  
23 August 2016  
 
 
Issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993  Import Health Standard: Fresh and Frozen Truffles for Consumption   
 Draft for Consultation 23 August 2016  
TITLE  
Import Health Standard : Fresh and Frozen Truffles for Consumption  
COMMENCEMEN T 
This Import Health Standard  comes into force on  the date of issue.  
REVOCATION 
Nil 
ISSUING AUTHORITY  
This Import Health Standard  is issued  under section 24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993   
 
Dated at Wellington this ……… day of August 2016 
 
 
Stephen Butcher  
Manager , Import and Export Plants  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
(acting under dele gated authority of the Director -General)  
 Contact for further information  
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)  
Regulation & Assurance Branch  
Plant  Imports  
PO Box 2526,  
Wellington 6140  
Email: planti mports @mpi.govt.nz  
 
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Contents  Page 
Introduction 3 
Part 1:  General Requirements  5 
1.1 Application 5 
1.2 Incorporation of material by refer ence  5 
1.3 Acronyms and definitions  5 
1.4 General  5 
1.5 Exporting country systems  5 
1.6 Export plans  5 
1.7 Permit to import  6 
1.8 Transport requirements  6 
Part 2:  Specific Requirements 7 
2.1 Commodity description  7 
2.2 Pest list  7 
2.3 Basic Measures  7 
Part 3:  Documentation Requirements  8 
3.1 Phytosanitary inspection  8 
3.2 Phytosanitary certification  8 
3.3 Species validation  8 
Appendix 1: Acronyms and Definitions  10 
Appendix 2: Amendment Record  12 
 
 
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Introduction  
This introduc tion 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 into New Zealand 
from all countries.  
Background 
The New Z ealand 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 
before biosecurity clearance can be given.  
Additional information to the  requirements is included in guidance text boxes  and the guidance document: 
Importing Fresh Produce for Consumption: < insert link >.  
Who should read this ? 
This IHS applies to importers of fresh produce imported for consumption into New Zealand and the e xporting 
country National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO).   
Why is it 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 c leared  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 pes t intercepted, the pathway may be suspended.  
Penalties may be applied under the Act if fresh produce imported for consumption are propagated.  
Importers are liable for all associated expenses.  
Equivalence 
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) may consider a pre -export application for an equivalent phytosanitary 
measure to be approved, different from that provide for in this IHS, to maintain at least the same level of 
protection assured by the current measur es in this IHS.  
Equivalence will be considered with reference to the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures 
(ISPM), Publication No.24: Guidelines for the determination and recognition of equivalence of phytosanitary 
measures (2011).   
Document history  
Refer to Appendix 2 for the A mendment Record for this IHS . 
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Other Information  
Truffles for propagation are eligible for import into New Zealand and are covered by IHS: Truffles for 
Propagation:  MPI.IHS.TUBER  
Cooked, dried or processed truffles fo r consumption are eligible for import into New Zealand and are covered 
by IHS: Importation into New Zealand of stored plant products intended for human consumption:  
BNZ.NPP.HUMAN.  
 
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Part 1:  General Requirements 
1.1 Application  
(1) This import health standard (IHS) applies to the goods described in Part 2.1: Commodity description.  
 
1.2 Incorporation of material by reference  
(1) The following document s are incorporated by reference under section 142M of the Act : 
MPI Biosecurity Organisms Register for Imported Commodities (BORIC) ;  
International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM).  
(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 Acronyms and definitions  
(1) Acronyms and definitions are listed in Appendix 1.  
1.4 General  
(1) All consignments of f resh produce imported for consumption into New Zealand must : 
a) meet the requirements of an IHS before receiving biosecurity clearance ; 
b) be free from v iable regul ated pests  based on official inspection;   
c) be packaged in clean i nert/synthetic material ; and  
d) be shipped in a secure manner to prevent contamination by regulated pests.  
 
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.  
1.6 Export plans  
(1) MPI and the exporting country NPPO m ust negotiate  a country -specific Export Plan  that demonstrates 
how Targeted Measures and MPI- Specified Measures  will be ac hieved  before trade can commence .   
(2) The Export Plan must include detail of the activities that support the effective application of Targeted 
Measures and MPI- Specified Measures . Supporting activities include product traceability, training, 
record management, phytosanitary inspection, certification and phytosanitary security.  
(3) The negotiated and agreed E xport Plan is subject to review by MPI . 
(4) Recognised countries and approved commodities are listed on the MPI website: 
http://www.mpi.govt.nz/importing/food/fresh -fruit-and-vegetables/registers -and-lists/. 
 
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Guidance  
• Export Plans are not required for t ruffles imported for consumption.  
• An Export Plan is only necessary when Targeted  Measures  and/or MPI- Specified Measures  are 
required.  
1.7 Permit to import  
(1) All consignments of fresh and frozen truffles imported for consumption require a permit to import.  
Guidance  
• Import permit application forms can be found on the MPI website using this link: 
https://mpi.govt.nz/document -vault/11488 . 
• The transitional facility must be approved to MPI s tandard 155.04.03: A stan dard for diagnostic 
facilities which undertake the identification of new organisms, excluding animal pathogens.  
• MPI Plant Health and Environment Laboratory (PHEL) is an approved transitional facility for 
diagnostic testing of truffles. Contact details for transitional facilities can be found using this link: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/document -vault/1047
.  
1.8 Transport requirements  
(1) If a c onsignment is either opened, stored, split up or ha s its packaging changed prior to arrival in New 
Zealand, a phytosanitary certificate for re -export is required from the transiti ng country , in accordance 
with ISPM 12: Phytosanitary Certificates, and must accompany each consignment.   
(2) Each container must be labelled with the common and scientific name of each species of truffle. When 
more than one species is being exported in the s ame consignment, each species must be separately 
wrapped.  
  
Guidance  
• A consignment that arrives in New Zealand without an import permit or certification, or accompanied by incorrect certification, may be directed to a transitional facility until documentation is presented . 
• Truffles may be kept cool with ice pads. These may be replaced in -transit provided individual 
packages are not opened.  
 
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Part 2:  Specific Requirements 
2.1 Commodity description  
(1) This IHS specifies the requirements for the importation of fresh and frozen truffles for consumption  
from all  countries.  
(2) Fresh and frozen truffles for consumption are defined as clean truffles free of contaminating soil or 
other material.  
(3) The following four species  are eligible for import into New Zealand : 
a) Tuber aestivum Vittad. (synonym T. uncinatum ) – Burgundy truffle;  
b) Tuber borchii (synonym T. albidum ) – Bianchetto;  
c) Tuber magnatum – Italian white truffle; and  
d) Tuber melanosporum – Périgord black truffle . 
Guidance  
• For additional truffle species to this IHS, please contact the Environmental Protection Agency using 
this link: http://www.epa.govt.nz/new -organisms/find- applicat ion-form/Pages/default.aspx .  
• It is an offence under the Act to use goods for any other purpose than intended end  use.  
2.2 Pest list 
(1) The list of regulated pests known to be associated with truffles can be found on MPI website at this 
link:  <insert link > .  
(2) The full list of regulated and non -regulated pests for New Zealand can be found in MPI BORIC   
(http://archive.mpi.govt.nz/applications/boric ).   
Guidance  
• If, during an official inspection, the verifying NPPO detects a pest that is not listed on BORIC  MPI may 
be contacted to establish the regulatory status of the pest.  
 
2.3 Basic Measures 
(1) All truffles  must be s ourced from production sites that use standard cultivation  methods for commercial 
export truffle production; including pest -control, harvesting, sorting, cleaning , inspection and 
pack aging.   
 
Guidance  
• Basic Measures  are required to manage pests and other regulated organisms that present a risk to 
New Zealand on this pathway.  
• Evidence of soil and bacterial rot will be visible to the naked eye. A 10x magnification lens may be used for more detailed surface inspection t o detect signs of infestation by burrowing pests.  
• Washing may remove soil and other contaminants, including pest eggs and larvae.   
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Part 3:  Documentation Requirements  
3.1 Phytosanitary inspection  
(1) The NPPO 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  have been applied as outlined in Part 2. 3: Basic Measures ;  
c) reconcile 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 a nd supply a  phytosanitary certificate in accordance with ISPM 12: 
Phytosanitary Certificates  to accompany each consignment of fresh and frozen truffles exported to 
New Zealand with the following declaration:  
a) “This is to certi fy 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 to conform w ith the current 
phytosanitary requirements of New Zealand, including those for regulated non -quarantine pests”.  
(2) The p hytosanitary certificate must contain sufficient detail to enable identification of the consignment 
and its component parts. Information m ust include country/place of origin and meet all requirements 
that are listed in Part 2 : Specific Requirements  and Part 3:  Documenta tion Requirements  
Guidance  
• A phytosanitary certificate should not be issued if viable regulated organism(s) are detected, unless 
the consignment is effectively treated.  
• 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.  
3.3 Species validation  
3.3.1 Morphological examination and report  
(1) All fresh and frozen truffles must undergo morphological examination to confirm species identity. The 
examination must be conducted pre -export and undertaken by persons t rained to identify truffle 
species by visual and aro ma characteristics.  
(2) An examination report is required and must be issued on the company letterhead by a person 
authorised to act on behalf of the company and must include the following information:  
a) authorised person’s name, signature, job title and date of  issue;  
b) truffle species and genus; and  
c) MPI import permit number.  
(3) The report must contain the following statement:  
a) “Each truffle has been identified as a species eligible for import under the MPI import health 
standard : Fresh and Frozen Truffles for Consu mption : MPI.IHS.FP .TRUFFLES .”  
3.3.2 Molecular testing and report  
(1) MPI reserve the right to conduct random audits and onshore molecular testing to confirm that the species matches that which is stated on the phytosanitary certificate.  
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(2) Upon arrival in New Zealand, if selected for audit, the consignment will be directed to the transitional 
facility  stated on the permit.  
(3) A report from the transitional facility will be provided to the importer and MPI Plant Imports. The report 
must contain  the following statement:  
a) “The selected truffle (s) has undergone molecular testing ; ” 
AND 
b) “The selected truffle(s) has been identified as a species eligible for import under the MPI import 
health standard : Fresh and Frozen Truffles for Consumption: MPI.IHS.FP .TRUFFLES .”  
(4) The report must contain the MPI import permit number.  
 
Guidance  
• One or more truffles will be randomly selected from each species and a small slice of each taken. 
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequence analysis are used to conf irm species identity.  
• Detection of any species of truffle not included in this IHS may result in the permit being revoked or further permit applications from the same supplier being declined.  
• Provided all other requirements of this IHS have been met, the r emainder of the consignment 
(including the selected truffle(s)) will be given biosecurity clearance and released to the importer.  
• The importer is responsible for all costs incurred.  
 
 
 
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Appendix 1:  Acronyms and D efinitions  
Definitions have the same meaning as defined by the Act and ISPM 5: Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms  
(2012), unless set out below:  
Arrival (in New Zealand)  
In relation to goods, means to reach land within New Zealand territory after a flight or voyage orig inating 
outside New Zealand territory.  
Basic Measures  
Commodities must be commercially produced using standard cultivation, pest -control, harvesting, inspection 
and packing activities. Basic Measures  are applied to all fresh produce to manage the associated regulated 
pests.  
BORIC 
Biosecurity Organisms Register for Imported Commodities: MPI database which informs on the regulatory 
status for an organism as either regulated or non -regulated for New Zea land.  BORIC is available at 
http://archive.mpi.govt.nz/applications/boric .  
Consignment  
One or more lots imported by one importer, on one conveyance at one time, and covered by one 
phytosanitary  certificate. 
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.  
IPPC  
International Plant Protectio n Convention.   
ISPM  
International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures . The list of ISPMs are available from: 
https://www.ippc.int/en/core -activities/standards -setting/ispms/ .  
MPI-Specified Measures  
MPI- Specified Measures  are prescribed measures set out by MPI in the import health standard. They are 
reserved for pests presenting a very high risk to New Zealand, such as economically important fruit flies, and 
have known effic acy to detect, remove or kill those pests.  
NPPO  
National Plant Protection Organisation – the official organisation established by a government to discharge 
the functions specified by the IPPC.  
Non-regulated pest  
Non-regulated organisms are those organisms  for which 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 discrete and 
traceable export system.  
Pest   
Any species, strain or biotype of plant, animal or pathogenic agent injurious to plant or plant products [IPPC].  
Regulated Pest  
A quarantine pest or a regulated non -quarantine pest as set out in BORIC . 
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Targeted Measures  
Targeted Measures  may be proposed by the exporting country and must be negotiated with MPI. The 
Targeted Measure  must be effective in reducing the risk of the regulated pest associated with the commodity 
to an acceptable level. The deta ils of any  Targeted Measure  should be incorporated into the Export Plan.  
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 sterilisa tion treatment.  
 
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Appendix 2: Amendment Record  
The following table provides a summary of the amendments to this import health standard.  
 
Number:  Details:  Date:  
   
 
 
 
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