Import Health Standard  
Issued under the Biosecurity Act 1993   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Pig Semen  
PIGSEMEN.GEN  
[Document Date]  
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Draft for Consultation  [Document Date]  
Ministry for Primary Industries   Page  1 of 12 
TITLE  
Import Health Standard : Import Health Standard: Pig Semen  
COMMENCEMEN T 
This Import Health Standard  comes into force on  [Effective Date]   
REVOCATION  
 Import Health Standard Pig Semen dated 18 June  2013 . 
ISSUING AUTHORITY  
This Import Health Standard  is issued  under section 24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993.  
 
Dated at Wellington this   ... day of  .........  
 
 
Howard Pharo  
Manager , Import and Export Animals  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
(acting under dele gated authority of the Director -General)  
 
Contact for further information  
Ministry for Primary Indust ries (MPI)  
Regulation & Assurance Branch  
Animal Imports  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
Email: animalimports@mpi.govt.nz  
 
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Contents  Page 
Introduction  3 
Part 1:  General Requirements  4 
1.1 Application  4 
1.2 Outcome  4 
1.3 Incorporation by reference  4 
1.4 Definitions  4 
1.5 Exporting country systems and certification  5 
1.6 Diagnostic testing, vaccination and treatment  5 
1.7 Semen collection centre requirements  5 
1.8 Semen donor requirements  6 
1.9 Semen collection, processing and storage  6 
1.10  Transport  7 
1.11  Import permit  7 
1.12  The documentation that must accompany goods  7 
Part 2:  Specified Requirements for Identified Risk Organisms  9 
2.1 African swine fever (ASF) virus  9 
2.2 Aujeszky’s disease (AD) virus  9 
2.3 Blue eye disease virus  9 
2.4 Classical swine fever (CSF) virus  9 
2.5 Foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus  9 
2.6 Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus  9 
2.7 Porcine my ocarditis (Bungowannah) virus  10 
2.8 Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus  10 
2.9 Transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus  10 
2.10  Brucella suis  10 
2.11  Leptospira spp. 10 
Schedule 1 – Document History  11 
Schedule 2 – Definitions  12 
 
 
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Introduction  
This introduction  is not part of the  Import Health Standard , but is intended to indicate its general effect.  
Purpose  
This import health standard  (IHS)  specifies the minimum requirements that must be met when importing pig 
semen into New Zealand  
Background  
The Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) provides the legal basis for excluding, eradicating and effectively managing 
pests and unwanted organisms.  
Import health standards issued under the 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.  
A guidance document accompanies this IHS providing information on how the requirements may be met . 
Who should read this  Import Health Standard ? 
This IHS applies to i mporters of pig semen.  
Why is this i mportant?  
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 into New Zealand or further information 
may be sought from importer s. Consignments that do not comply with the requirements of this IHS may be re -
shipped or de stroyed under the Act or tested or treated in accordance with this IHS prior to release or 
equivalence determined. Importers are liable for all associated expenses.   
See guidance document for more information about importer responsibilities . 
Equivalence  
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 t he importation of  
these goods.  If an equivalent measure is approved an import permit may be issued under section 24D(2) of 
the Act, if the Director -General considers it appropriate to do so.  
See guidance document  for more information about equivalence and permits . 
Document History  
Refer to Schedule 1.  
Other information  
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 Z ealand laws.  Import Health Standard : Import Health Standard: Pig Se men    
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Part 1:  General Requirements  
1.1 Application  
(1) This IHS applies to  all importers of fresh or frozen pig semen from any domesticated species  of the 
family Suidae that has not  been genetically modifie d. 
1.2 Outcome  
(1) The outcome this IHS is seeking to achieve  is the effective management of biosecurity risks associated 
with eli gible consignments of pig semen.  
(2) The biosecurity risk organisms associated with pig semen that are managed by this IHS are:  
a) African swine fever (ASF) virus  
b) Aujeszky’s disease (AD) virus  
c) Blue eye disease virus  
d) Classical swine fever (CSF) virus  
e) Foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus  
f) Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus  
g) Porcine myocarditis (Bungowannah) virus  
h) Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus  
i) Transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus  
j) Brucella suis  
k) Leptospira  spp. 
1.3 Incorporation 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 ), available at the OIE website: http://www.oie.int/international -
standard -setting/terrestrial -manual/access -online/  
b) The OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code  (the Code ), available at the OIE Website: 
http://www.oie.int/international -standard -setting/terrestrial -code/access -online/  
c) The International Committee for Animal Recording , available at the ICAR website: www.icar.org . 
(2) The following material is incorporated by reference in this IHS under section 142M of the Act:  
a) MPI Approved Diagnostic Tests, Vaccines, Treatments and Post -arrival Testing Laboratories for 
Animal Import Health Standards  (MPI-STD-TVTL ). 
(3) 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 the above listed standards, guideli ne or lists has legal effect as part of this IHS .  
See guidance document for more information about incorporation by reference and section 142O(1).  
1.4 Definitions  
(1) For the purposes of this IHS 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/ . Import Health Standard : Import Health Standard: Pig Se men    
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(2) See Schedule 2 for a dditional definitions that apply.  
1.5 Exporting country systems and certification  
(1) Importers may only import eligible pig semen  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 pig populations in the exporting country, zone or 
compartment, with respect to biosec urity risk organisms of concern  
b) The national systems and/or programmes and standards in the exporting country for regulato ry 
oversigh t of the pig industry  and semen collection   
c) The capabilities and preferences of the exporting country’s Competent Authority with respect to 
achieving equivalent outcomes to requirements stated in this IHS.  
(2) Once  satisfied, MPI and the Competent Authority ma y commence negotiation of country -specific 
veterinary certification.   
In order to be satisfied with the evidence provided an in -country or desk top audit may be carried out at 
any time, including prior to the first shipment of semen.  
See guidance document for more information about exporting country systems and certification.  
1.6 Diagnostic testing , vaccination and treatment   
(1) Any laboratory conducting the pre-export or surveillance testing where required in this IHS must be 
approved by the Competent Authority o f a country recognised  to export pig semen to New Zealand . 
(2) Laboratory samples must be collected, processed and stored in accordance with the recommendations 
in the Code  chapter Collection and Processing of Bovine, Small Ruminant and Porcine Semen , the 
Manu al or as described in the MPI Approved Diagnostic Tests, Vaccines, Treatments and Post -Arrival 
Testing Laboratories for Animal Import Health Standards  (MPI-STD-TVTL ).  
(3) Diagnostic test(s) and vaccines used must be  those that have been approved by MPI and do cumented 
in MPI-STD-TVTL .  
(4) All products and vaccinations administered to meet the specific disease requirements in Part 2 must be 
administered according to the manufacturer’s instruction in a country recognised  to export to New 
Zealand. All vaccinations must contain  either the final dose of a primary course or the recommended 
booster to complement the primary course.  
(5) All product names, manufacturers , active ingredients (where applicable), dose and date of treatment 
must be recorded on the veterinary certificate.  
1.7 Semen collection centre requirements  
(1) Semen collection must be carried out in a  semen collection centre that complies  with the requirements 
for centres in the Code chapter General Hygiene in Semen Collection and Processing Centres  and 
Collection and Processing of Bovine, Small Ruminant and Porcine Semen . 
(2) The semen collection centre must be:  
a) Approved for ex port by the Competent Authority  
b) Subject ed to regular inspection, at least every 12 mont hs, by an Official Veterinarian  
c) Under the supervision of a semen collection centre veterinarian approved by the Competent 
Authority.  
(3) The name and approval number of the semen collection centre  must be recorde d on the veterinary 
certificate.  Import Health Standard : Import Health Standard: Pig Se men    
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(4) Semen d onors may be transferred from one approved semen collection centre to another approved 
centre of equal health status without isolation or testing if the Competent Authority ensures that all of 
the following requirements are met:  
a) Donors have been  examined  by the approved semen  collection centre veterinarian  and show no 
evidence of infectious disease transmissible in semen on th e day of entry into the centre  
b) Transfer is direct  
c) Donors are protected fr om insect attack during transit  
d) Donors do not come into direct or indirect contact with  animals of lower health status  
e) The means of transport is disinfected before use.  
1.8 Semen d onor requirements  
(1) Semen d onors must meet the requirements in the Code chapter Collection and Processing of Bovine, 
Small Ruminant and Porcine Semen, and any additional requirements in Part 2 of this IHS.  
(2) During the 28 days in which boars are held in pre -entry isolation prior to entering the semen collection 
centre  (as prescribed in the Code ), they must not be used for natural mating and must be isolated from 
animals not of equivalent  health status.  
(3) The approved semen collection centre veterinarian must ensure that the donor is free from clinical 
evidence of infectious disease transmissible in semen on the day of semen collection.  
(4) Where a specific requirement of this IHS for a risk organism is met by monitoring the donor for clinical 
signs for a specified time after collection, the semen must be stored for that amount of time prior to 
export.  
See guidance document for the model veterinary certification which includes the most current Code 
requirements and the measures for additional risk organisms listed in Part 2 of this IHS.  
1.9 Semen collection , processing  and storage   
(1) Semen collection , processi ng and storage must comply with the sections relevant for boars and semen 
in the Code chapter Collection and Processing of Bovine, S mall Ruminant and Porcine Semen.  
(2) The cryogenic or cooling agent used in the freezing process, storage and transport must not have 
been used previously in association with any other product of animal origin.  
(3) Semen must be in straws or sanitised containers which are sealed and tamper -evide nt, and clearly and 
permanently marked to identify the donor and the date(s) of collection. The markings must conform to 
international standards of the International Committee for Animal Recording  (ICAR).  If a code is used 
for this information, its deciphe r instructions must accompany the consignment.  
(4) Semen may only be stored with germplasm  that has been collected and processed in accordance with 
the Code . Semen  must be held in a storage place approved by the Competent Authority of the 
exporting country unt il the time of export.  
(5) Semen may be stored in a third country ( a country other than the country of origin) if the third country  
and the country of origin have met the requirements of clause 1.5 of this IHS, and the  consignment of 
semen must be accompanied  by:  
a) A declaration from the Competent Authority of the third country, linking the semen from the 
country of origin to the semen being exported to New Zealand and confirming that the semen has 
been stored as required by this IHS, at a facility approved by the Competent Authority; and 
accompanied by either :  
i) The veterinary certificate (current version) certified by the Competen t Authority of the 
country of origin to export to New Zealand; or   Import Health Standard : Import Health Standard: Pig Se men    
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ii) A letter from the country of origin’s Competent Authority indicating the semen meets New 
Zealand’s current import requirements.  
1.10 Transport  
(1) Transport containers must be new (or disinfected)  and free of contamination. When a transport 
container is not new, the disinfectant, its active chemical and date of disinfection must be recorded on 
the veterinary certificate.  
(2) The transport container in which the semen is transported to New Zealand must be sealed, by either 
the semen collection centre veterinarian or an Official Veterinarian, using tamper -evident seals. The 
seal number must be recorded on the veterinary certificate.   
(3) Where semen is transferred from one transport container to another, the  date of transfer, approved 
collection centre, reason for transfer, and name of veterinarian involved in the transfer must be 
recorded on the veterinary certificate.  
1.11 Import permit  
(1) An import permit under section 24D of the Act is required if a CTO has appro ved an equivalent 
measure prior to import, different from that set in the IHS that may be applied to effectively manage 
risks.  
(2) An import permit is not required where a CTO has approved an equivalent measure prior to import, 
different from that set out in the IHS, in the form of a negotiated veterinary certificate.  
See the guidance document for more information on equivalence and permits.  
1.12 The documentation that must accompany goods  
(1) The consignment must arrive in New Zealand with the following documentation:  
a) A veterinary certificate that must include all of the following:  
i) A unique consignment identifier  
ii) The s pecies, donor animal identification, and quantity of semen  
iii) The name of the semen c ollection centre and approval number  
iv) The dates of semen collection  
v) The n ame and address of the importer (consignee) and the exporter (consignor)  
vi) The n ame, signature and contact details of the Official Veterinarian  
vii) Certification and endorsement by the Official Veterinarian that the general requirements 
outlined in Part 1 of thi s IHS have been met  
viii) Certification and endorsement by the Official Veterinarian that the specified requirements 
outlined in Part 2 of this IHS have been met , excepting for those requirements that MPI 
has agreed during negotiation under clause 1.5(2)  as not being required for a country -
speci fic veterinary certificate  
ix) All diagnostic tests, including test type and date of sampling. Results must be clearly linked 
to each donor and in the form of either a tabulated summary or copies of the laboratory 
reports  
x) All products and vaccines administered to meet specific disease import requirements, 
including generic name, active ingredient, dose rate, and date of treatment . 
b) Original laboratory reports,  copies of laboratory reports endorsed by the Official Veterinarian or  a 
tabulated summary of laboratory results endorsed by the Official Veterinarian which must include:  
i) A unique identification for each animal, consistent with the veterinary certificate   
ii) The d ates of sample collection  Import Health Standard : Import Health Standard: Pig Se men    
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iii) The t est type  
iv) The test result.  
(2) Where equivalent measures have been negotiated and agreed with MPI, and a CTO has, prior to 
import, approved an equivalent measure under section 27(1)(d) of the Act that is different from those in 
this IHS in the form of a negotiated veterinary certificate, a co untry -specific veterinary certificate must 
accompany the consignment . 
See guidance document for more information about equivalence and country -specific veterinary  
certificates.  
(3) All documents must:  
a) Be or iginal, unless otherwise stated  
b) Accompany the importe d goods  
c) Be in English or have an English transl ation that is clear and legible  
d) 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.  
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Part 2:  Specified Requirements for Identified Risk Organisms  
(1) The Competent Authority of the exporting country is required to issue a signed, stamped and dated 
veterinary certificate containing declarations regarding the following di seases  where required:  
2.1 African swine fever (ASF) virus  
(1) Donors  meet  the Code recommendations  for importation from ASF free countries, zones or 
compartments ; or 
(2) Donors  meet the Code  recommendations for importation from countries or zones considered infected 
with ASF.  
2.2 Aujeszky’s disease (AD) virus  
(1) Donors meet the Code  recom mendations for importation from  one of the following : 
a) AD free countries or zones  
b) AD provisionally free countries or zones  
c) AD infected countries or zones . 
2.3 Blue eye disease virus  
(1) Donors  have lived their entire lives in a cou ntry free from blue eye disease; or               
(2) Donors have  been subject ed to a serological test listed  in MPI -STD-TVTL , with negative results.  
2.4 Classical swine fever (CSF) virus  
(1) Donors  meet  the Code recommendations for importation from countries, zones or compartments free 
from CSF ; or 
(2) Donors  meet the Code recommendations for importation from countries or zones considered infected 
with CSF. 
2.5 Foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus  
(1) For fresh semen , donors  meet the Code  recommendations for importation from FMD free countries or 
zones where vaccination is not practised , or FMD free compartments; or  
(2) For frozen semen, donors  meet  the Code recommendations for importation from  one of the following : 
a) FMD free countries or zones where vaccination is not practised , or FMD free compartments  
b) FMD free countries or zones where vaccination is practised  
c) FMD infected countries or zones.  
2.6 Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus  
(1) Donors  have lived their entire lives in a country or zone that is free from JE virus.  Import Health Standard : Import Health Standard: Pig Se men    
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2.7 Porcine myocarditis (Bungowannah ) virus  
(1) Donors  have lived their entire lives in a country, zone or compartment that is free  from porcine 
myocarditis virus; or       
(2) Donors  originating  from properties where porcine myocarditis has been diagnosed were isolated and 
subjected to tests listed  in MPI -STD-TVTL  to demonstrate they were seropositive for porcine 
myocarditis virus and negative for porcine myocarditis virus RNA before entering the  semen collection 
centre; and   
a) An aliquot of each batch of  semen for export was subjected to a  RT-PCR test listed  in MPI -STD-
TVTL , with negative results.  
2.8 Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus  
(1) Donors  have lived their entire lives in a country free from PRRS; or  
(2) Donors  were sourced from herds that are not vaccinate d against PRRS, and were tested using a 
multivalent serum ELISA for PRRS antibodies  that uses both European and American strain antigens  
listed  in MPI -STD-TVTL,  with negative results before entering the semen collection centre; and 
a) On two occasions, the first occasion at the start of the collection period and the second occasion 
no less t han 30 days subsequent to the first occasion , donors were tested for PRRS virus using  a 
serum PCR test listed  in MPI -STD-TVTL , with negative results; and 
b) Twenty -one to 50 days after the final semen  collection, donors  were tested using  a multivalent 
serum ELISA for PRRS antibodies  that uses both European and American strain antigens listed  
in MPI -STD-TVTL , with negative results.  
2.9 Transmissible gastroenteritis  (TGE) virus  
(1) Donors  meet the Code  recommendations for the importation of semen.  
2.10 Brucella suis  
(1) Donors  meet the Code recommendations for the importation of semen.  
2.11 Leptospira spp. 
(1) Antibiotics  effective  against Leptospira spp. as listed  in MPI-STD-TVTL , were  added to the  semen.  Import Health Standard : Import Health Standard: Pig Se men    
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Schedule  1 – Document History  
 
Date First Issued  Title Shortcode  
18 June 2013  Pig Semen  PIGSEMIC .GEN  
Date of Issued A mendments  Title Shortcode  
TBA Pig Semen  PIGSEMEN.GEN  
   
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Schedule 2 – Definitions  
Compartment  
An animal subpopulation 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 applied 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 ens uring 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.  
CTO d irection  
Chief Technical Officer (CTO) Direction - equiva lent measures recorded by number under section 27(1) (d)(iii) 
of the Act, to enable border staff to clear the goods and record the number in the MPI database.  
Director -General  
The chief executive of the Ministry for Primary Industries.   
Import permit  
A perm it issued by the Director -General of MPI pursuant to section 24D(2) of the Act.   
MPI 
Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand.  
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 inspections of commodities and, when 
appropriate, to certify in conformity with the prov isions of the OIE Code  chapter for Certification Procedures . 
OIE  
The World Organisation for Animal Health.  
Semen collection c entre  
A facility approved by the Competent  Authority  and which meets the conditions set out in the Code  for the 
collection, processing and/or storage of semen.  
The Code  
The OIE Terrestrial Animal Health  Code  as found on the OIE website.  
The Manual   
The OIE Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals  as found on the OIE website . 
Veterinary c ertificate  
A certificate, issued in conformity with the provisi ons of the Code  chapter for Certification Procedures , 
describing the animal health and/or public health requirements which are fulfilled by the exported 
commodities.