IMPORT HEALTH STANDARD FOR ZOO LIZARDS 
FROM AUSTRALIA 
Issued pursuant to Section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 
Dated: 22 October 2010 
USER GUIDE 
The information in this import heal th standard is in five parts: 
Part A. GENERAL INFORMATION describes the le gal basis for this import health standard 
and the general responsibilities of the importer. 
Part B. IMPORTATION PROCEDURE outlines wh ether a permit is required, the conditions 
of eligibility, and documentation that may need to accompany the consignment. 
Part C. CLEARANCE PROCEDURE describes the clearance requirements at the New 
Zealand border and, if necessary, whether the co nsignment must go to a transitional facility 
or containment facility.  
Part D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION contains  model health certification which must 
be completed fully and accompany the consignment to New Zealand. 
Part E. APPENDIX contains the list of species of zoo lizards  deemed by the Environmental 
Risk Management Authority as present in New Zealand. 
 
PART A. GENERAL INFORMATION  
1 IMPORT HEALTH STANDARD  
 
1.1 Pursuant to section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, this docum
ent is the import health 
standard for zoo lizards from Australia.   
 1.2 To obtain biosecurity clearance the consignm ent must meet the requirements of this 
import health standard.  
 
1.3 Obtaining biosecurity authority for entry of lizards into New Zealand is dependent on containment approval from the Environmenta l Risk Management Authority for that 
particular species of zoo lizards and the c onsignment meeting the requirements of this 
import health standard. 
 
2 IMPORTER'S RESPONSIBILITIES  
 
2.1 It is the im
porters responsibility to ensure that they are compliant with the current 
relevant import health standard at the tim e of importation. Current versions of import 
health standards are available on the MAF Biosecurity New Zealand website: 
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http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/ihs/search    
 
A register of import health standards is al so publicly available for inspection at the 
office of the Director-General of the Minist ry of Agriculture and Forestry, Pastoral 
House, 25 The Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand. 
 
2.2 The costs to MAF Biosecurity New Zealand in performing functi ons relating to the 
importation of zoo lizards must be recovere d in accordance with the Biosecurity Act 
and any regulations made under that Act. All costs involved  with documentation, 
transport, storage and obtaining a biosecu rity authority must be covered by the 
importer or agent 
 2.3 The importer must make all arrangements for transport of the zoo lizards to and 
within New Zealand. If the planned route is not directly from Aust ralia to the port of 
entry into New Zealand, the importer must  obtain the necessary transit authorities 
from any third countries on the transport route. The proposed routes and means of 
travel both to New Zealand and within New Zealand must be advised to and approved 
by the Animal Imports & Exports Group Manage r. The vehicles and crates used for 
transport within New Zealand may be subjec t to inspection by a New Zealand Official 
Veterinarian, who may seal th e container in which the zoo lizards are transported to 
the containment facility.  
 2.4 If the species of zoo lizar d is not listed in Appendix A, it is the importer’s 
responsibility to obtain approval from the Environmental Risk Management Authority 
(www.ermanz.govt.nz
) before importation will be permitted.  
 
[Note: only species covered by an import risk  analysis may be added to Appendix A. 
Risk analyses can be found on our website: 
http://www.biosecurity.govt .nz/regs/im ports/ihs/risk ]  
 
2.5 Where required, the consignment must be accompanied by a perm it to export by the 
legislation of the country of origin and the Convention on the In ternational Trade in 
Endangered Species (CITES): http://www.cites.org  . 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 a rriving in New Zealand without a permit to 
export may be subject to seizure by the Ne w Zealand Department of Conservation.  
 3 EQUIVALENCE 
 
3.1 The im
port health standard has been ag reed as suitable for trade between the 
exporting and the importing countries. It is expected that the consignment will meet 
the conditions in every respect.  
 3.2 Occasionally it may be found that, due to circumstances beyond the control of the 
importer or exporter, a consignment does not comply with the speci fic requirements in 
this import health standard, but may meet  the outcomes sought. In such cases, a 
permit to import application may be made , equivalence granted and import permit 
issued at the discretion of MAF Biosecurity New Zealand. The following information must be forwarded by the certifying govern ment's veterinary authority for an 
equivalence to be considered:  
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 which clause/s of the import health standard cannot be met and how this has 
occurred;  
 
 the reason the consignment is considered to  be of an "equivalent health" status;  
 
 the reasons why the veterinary authority of the country of origin believes this proposal should be acceptable to the Ne w Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and 
Forestry and their recommendation for its acceptance.  
 
4 DEFINITION OF TERMS 
 Animal Imports & Exports Grou
p Manager 
The Animal Imports/Exports Group Manager, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 
Biosecurity New Zealand, or any person who for the time being may lawfully exercise and 
perform the delegated power and functions of the Animal Imports & Exports Group Manager  
 AQIS 
Australian Quarantine Inspection Service 
 
Biosecurity authority                                             
Written authority from an inspector, given unde r section 25 of the Biosecurity Act (1993), to 
move uncleared goods from a transitional facility  or biosecurity cont rol area to another 
transitional facility, containment facility or bi osecurity control area, or to export those goods 
from New Zealand. 
 
Certifying Official 
A person authorised by the Veterinary Au thority of the exporting country to sign 
international veterinary certificates. 
 
Inspector BA 
Means a person who is appointed an inspector under section 103 of  the Biosecurity Act 
(1993). (Explanatory Note: An Inspector is  appointed to undertake administering and 
enforcing the provisions of the Biosecur ity Act and controls imposed under HSNO).   
 
MAFBNZ 
Ministry of Agriculture and Fo restry Biosecurity New Zealand 
 
Official Veterinarian 
A veterinarian authorised by the Veterinary Administration of the count ry to perform animal 
health and/or public health inspections of commodities and, when appropriate, perform 
certification in conformity with the provisions of the chapter of the OIE Terrestrial  Code  
pertaining to principles of certification.   
OIE Terrestrial Code 
The World Organisation for Animal Health Terrestrial Animal Health Code. 
 
Permit to import (Import Permit) 
A written order issued by the Director-General of MAF authorising the importation of risk 
goods to a specified facility. 
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Z
oo 
A containment facility approved to the zoo containment standard  where live zoo animals are 
kept for the purposes of public exhibition, cons ervation, research or education. Note: A zoo 
includes for example, a circus, butterfly house, aquarium or an oceanarium. A zoo may also 
hold indigenous animals that ar e not new organisms but these an imals are not covered by this 
Standard. 
 
Zoo animal 
A new organism approved under the Hazardous  Substances and New Organism Act 1996 
(HSNO) to be held in a zoo.  The organism  is both a new organism under the HSNO Act and 
a restricted organism unde r the Biosecurity Act 1993.  
 
Zoosanitary certificate 
A veterinary health certificate issued by the exporting country in accordance with the OIE. 
 
 
PART B: IMPORTATION PROCEDURE  5 PERMIT TO IMPORT 
 5.1 A permit to import is required for the importation of all lizards into New Zealand. 
 5.2 An application form to apply for a permit to import can be obtained from our website: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/forms/im ports-live-anim
 als-into-trans-facility  
 5.3 Application for a permit to import must be ma de in writing at least 30 days before the 
proposed date of im 
portation: 
 
Animal Imports  
Border Standards MAF Biosecurity New Zealand  
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington  
New Zealand. 
Em
ail animalimports@maf.govt.nz  
 
5.4 The importer must supply the following information: 
5.4.1 name and address of exporter; 
5.4.2 number, sex, age, species and microchip transponder identification of the 
animal; 
5.4.3 date of the proposed importation; 5.4.4 name and address of the transitional facility in New Zealand, to which the 
consignment is to proceed following importation; 
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5.4.5 
a letter from the New Zealand Offi cial Veterinarian supervising the 
transitional facility indicating that the fac ility is available for this consignment.  
5.4.6 port of arrival and route and means of transport to the transitional facility. 
5.5 The permit to import will be issued for a single consignment.  
 
6 DOCUMENTATION ACCOMPANYI NG THE CONSIGNMENT 
 6.1 
The consignment shall be accompanied by: 
 6.1.1  the permit to import; 
 
6.1.2 all appropriately completed health certif ication that meets the requirements of 
PART D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION;  
 
6.1.3 laboratory test results, or cer tified copies of results, for those tests specified in 
the Zoosanitary Certificate must be  attached to the certification. 
 6.2 It is the importer’s responsibility to ensure that any documentation presented in 
accordance with the requirements  of this import health standard is original (unless 
otherwise specified) and clearly legible.  Fa ilure to do so may result in delays in 
obtaining biosecurity authority or rejection of the consignment. 
[Note: Any requirement for the Conventi on on International Trade of Endangered 
Species (CITES) or other conservation re lated documentation must be met by the 
exporter/importer and is independe nt of this certification.] 
 
6.3 All documentation must be sent to the Ne w Zealand Official Ve terinarian at the 
airport/port of entry at least 72 hour s in advance of importation. Email: 
liveanimalsector@nzfsa.govt.nz
  
6.4 The Official Veterinarian of the expor ting country must sign, date and stamp each 
page of the veterinary cert ificate and any documents that form part of the extended 
certificate. 
7 ELIGIBILITY FOR IMPORTATION 
7.1 Eligibility for im
portation under this import health standard is confined to lizards of 
the species specified in appendix A, which have been: 
7.1.1 resident in a government approved zool ogical collection in Australia for at 
least twelve months prior to importation  
OR 
7.1.2 have been born in captivity in a gove rnment approved zoological collection 
in Australia and remained there for th eir entire lives pr ior to importation. 
7.2 The lizards must be permanently identified by microchip transponder. 
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7.3 All requ
irements of this import health standard, including those detailed in the Model 
Zoosanitary Certificate must be met for the commodity to be eligible for importation. 
 
8 PRE-EXPORT ISOLATION 
 
8.1 The lizards must be held in pre-export qua rantine for at least 90 days prior to the 
scheduled date of export to New Zealand. The pre-export prem
ises must be approved 
and supervised by an Official Veterinarian.  
 8.2 The animals must be isolated from other an imals not of the same health and residency 
status, and must remain free from clinical signs of infectious or  contagious disease 
during pre-export quarantine. 
 
9 TRANSPORT TO NEW ZEALAND 
 
9.1 
Date, expected time, port of arrival and th e flight number or ship’s name must be 
notified to the New Zealand Official Veterinari an at the airport/port of entry at least 7 
days in advance of importation. Email: liveanimalsector@nzfsa.govt.nz   
9.2 Containers made of timber must meet th e requirements of the wood packaging import 
health standard (refer to: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/imports/f orests/standards/no n-viable-forest-
produce/wood-packaging-ihs.htm )  
 
PART C:  CLEARANCE PROCEDURE 
10 BIOSECURITY AUTHORITY 
10.1 
Upon arrival in New Zealand an Official Veterinarian must thoroughly inspect the zoo 
lizards and the documentation accompanying th em. The zoo lizards must be found to 
be visibly free of clinical signs of disease and be free from both ectoparasites and soil 
contamination.  
10.2  A biosecurity authority may be given by an Inspector under section 25 of the 
Biosecurity Act 1993 authorisi ng the zoo lizards to move into permanent containment 
at the zoological park named in the permit to import, providing that the 
documentation meets all requirements noted under PART D: ZOOSANITARY 
CERTIFICATION and the consignment m eets the conditions of ELIGIBILITY. 
 
11 CONTAINMENT FACILITY 
 
The zoo lizards and any offspring must remain permanently in a registered zoo, 
approved to MAF Standard 154.03.04 Containment Facilities for Zoo Animals  and 
may not be transferred to another zoo w ithout the prior permi ssion of the Animal 
Imports & Exports Group Manager. 
 
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 PART D: ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATE 
 
The following Model Z
oosanitary Certificate co ntains the information required by MAFBNZ 
to accompany imports of zoo lizards into New Zealand from Australia: 
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MODEL ZOO SANITARY CERTIFICATE 
 
Species of lizard: .................................................................................................................. 
(insert one of the species listed in appendix A) 
To: NEW ZEALAND  Permit to Import Number:....................................................................................................... ..... 
 Exporting Country:  AUSTRALIA Competent Authority: Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service 
  
I:  IDENTIFICATION OF ANIMALS 
 
Identification   
Microchip 
identification 
number  Site of microchip Other identification (eg 
ARKS number) Sex Date of birth 
    
  
 
Total number of lizards in the consignment: ..............................................................................  
 
II: ORIGIN OF ANIMALS  
Name and address of exporter: .................................................................................................... 
Premises of origin of lizards: ................................................................................................. ...... 
Port of embarkation: ........................................................................................................... ......... 
 
III: DESTINATION OF ANIMALS  
Name and address of consignee:................................................................................................. . 
Flight number or ship’s name: .................................................................................................. ... 
Port of arrival:............................................................................................................... ............... 
 
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IV: SANITARY INFORMATION 
VETERINARY CERTIFICATE  
I,
.................................................................................. Official Veterina rian authorised by the 
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, cer tify after due enquiry, with respect to the 
zoo lizards identified in this zoosanitary cer tificate, that: 
 
1. Animals 
 
1.1 Each animal is of the species: ........................................................................................... 
(insert one of the species listed in appendix A) 
 
1.2 Each animal: 
1.2.1 was resident in a government approved zoological collection in Australia for at 
least twelve months prior to importation  
OR 
1.2.2 was born in captivity in a government  approved zoological collection in 
Australia and remained there for its entire life prior to importation.  
(Delete as appropriate) 
1.3 The zoo lizards and the premises of origin we re free from quarantine  restrictions for at 
least 90 days prior to the scheduled date of export. 
2. Premises 
 
2.1 All animals of the species to be expo rted were resident in the premises: 
 2.1.1 for at least 90 days prior to the st art of the pre-export  isolation period; 
 OR  
2.1.2 since birth/hatching.  
(Delete as appropriate) 
 
2.2 The premises of origin was under veterinary  supervision and the health of the animals 
was monitored so that incidents of dis ease and death were identified promptly. 
 
2.3 Within the last 12 months atadenoviruses were excluded as the cause of illness or 
death affecting any animals of the genus to be exported on the basis of either specific 
laboratory diagnostic procedures , clinical or pathological grounds or on the basis of 
the diagnosis of an altern ative cause of disease.  
 
  
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3. Pre-expo
rt isolation (PEI)   
 
3.1 For at least 90 days prior to the scheduled date of export to New Zealand the zoo 
lizards were kept in PEI facility approved and supervised by an Of ficial Veterinarian. 
3.2. During the PEI period the zoo lizards and all in contact animals were free from 
clinical signs of disease.  
3.3 During the PEI period, the PEI facility was maintained free from evidence of insects 
for the entire period, excluding insects in troduced specifically for feeding purposes. 
 
4. Tests and Treatments   
4.1 Gastro-intestinal nematodes  
  
 4.1.1 Within 48 hours of entering PEI, the animals were subjected to an 
anthelmintic treatment regime recognised amongst herpetologists and veterinarians experienced in herpetol ogical medicine as effective for the 
removal of gastro-intestinal nematodes from lizards;  name of anthelmintic(s):  
 
active ingredients:  
 dose rate(s):  
 date(s) of treatment:   
 4.1.2 During treatment, the PEI facility was cleaned thoroughly at least twice a 
week, for a minimum of two weeks, a nd during cleaning all bedding material 
and other potential parasite  habitats were replaced. 
 
4.2 Blood-borne protozoa
 
    4.2.1 At least 30 days after the start of th e PEI period and after a hibernation period 
(if applicable), the animals were tested for Plasmodium spp.  and other 
Haemosporidia on two separate occasions , at least 14 days apart, using air-
dried, alcohol-fixed, Geisma stained smears of peripheral blood from each animal to be exported with at least 10,000 erythrocytes examined per animal, 
with negative results. 
 4.3 Entamoeba invadens
 
 
4.3.1 Animals intended for export must have come from establishments that have no 
known history of E. invadens infection. The health of the animals have been monitored so that incidents of disease and death were identified promptly and 
E. invadens excluded as the cause of gastrointe stinal disease in lizards, snakes, 
or testudines during the preceding 12 months. 
 
OR 
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4.3.2 Any reptiles in contact with the animals intended for export within the 
preceding 12 months, have tested negative to E. invadens by examination of 
faecal samples or cloacal washings for E. invadens cysts. 
 
 [Note: reptile species in  contact with the animals intended for export includes 
turtles and lizards that are cared for by th e same staff, have utensils cleaned in 
shared facilities or are in enclosur es with contact through drainage]  
 AND  
4.3.3 It was confirmed that the animal itself is free from E. invadens by the repeat 
examination of faecal samples or cloacal washings on two separate occasions 
for cysts of E. invadens  with negative results at least 14 days apart.  
(Delete as appropriate) 
 
4.4 Ectoparasites (ticks and mites)
  
 
 4.4.1 During PEI the animals were subjected to a treatment regime recognised 
amongst herpetologists and veterinarians experienced in herpetological medicine as effective for the removal of ectoparasites from lizards.    name of anthelmintic(s):   active ingredients:   dose rate(s):   date(s) of treatment:   
 
4.4.2  During treatment, the PEI facility was cleaned thoroughly at least twice a 
week, for a minimum of two weeks, a nd during cleaning all bedding material 
and other potential parasite  habitats were replaced. 
 4.4.3 Effectiveness of ectoparasite  removal was confirmed by: 
 
i. For lizards other than varanids: 
two inspections (including the examin ation of skin folds and the cloaca 
of each animal), at least 14 days apart, with the first of those two inspections being at least 14 days after completion of the treatment 
regime, with negative results for ticks and mites. 
  
ii. For varanids: 
two inspections, at least 14 days ap art, with the first of those two 
inspections being at least 14 days after completion of the treatment 
regime, with negative results for ticks. 
 
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4.4.4 
Treatment and inspection were repeated  until the effectiven ess of ectoparasite 
removal was confirmed by two successive inspections, the first at least 14 
days after completion of the last period of treatment and the second at least 14 
days after that, with negative results.  
4.5 All laboratory tests were conducted at a laboratory approved by Australian Quarantine 
and Inspection Service and all resu lts accompany this certification. 
  5. Transport to New Zealand :  
 5.1 The crates or pens to be used for transporting the animals to New Zealand are either 
new or if previously used were cleaned a nd disinfected with a disinfectant approved 
by the competent authority in  the exporting country.  
 5.2 If shipped by air, the animals were shi pped in accordance with the International Air 
Transport Association (IATA)  Live Animal Regulations. 
 
5.3 The crates or pens were sealed by an Of ficial Veterinarian using seals bearing the 
unique mark or identification number: ........................................................................ 
 
5.4 Only sterile peat, soft board, treated wood shavings, sh redded paper or other inert 
approved products was loaded for use as bedding during transportation.  
5.5 The vehicles in which the animals will be  transported from the pre-export isolation 
premises to the port of departure were clean ed and disinfected prior to loading using a 
disinfectant approved by th e Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service. 
 
5.6 During transport to the port of depart ure and during transit to New Zealand the 
animals were kept isolated from animals th at were not of equivalent health status. 
 5.7  During transport to the port of departur e and during transit to New Zealand, all feed 
provided is free from evidence of contamin ation with ticks and weeds/weed seeds. 
 5.8 During transport to the port of departure and during transit to Ne w Zealand the animal 
were protected against insect attack. 
 5.9 No other animals are being transported in th e aircraft or ship ex cept animals officially 
certified by an Official Veterinarian for export from Australia to New Zealand. 
 5.10 For animals transported by air, the cargo spac e of the aircraft where the animals are to 
be transported was sprayed with an approve d insecticidal spray prior to departure. 
            
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......................................................................................................................................................
 
 Name and Signature of Official Veteri narian    Official stamp and date 
   Name and address of office: ................................................................................................... .... 
 ......................................................................................................................................................  
 
 Note:  Official stamp, signature and date  must be applied to all pages and any 
documents that form part of the extended certificate. 
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 PART E:  APPENDIX A 
 
SPECIES OF ZOO LIZARDS ELIGIBLE FOR IMPORTATION INTO 
CONTAINMENT IN NEW ZEALAND: 
 
TAXONOMIC NAME               COMMON NAME 
Brachylophus vitiensis Fijian Crested Iguana  
Iguana iguana Common Iguana 
Phelsuma madagascariensis Madagascar Day Gecko 
Ophisaurus apodus (syn. Pseudopus apodus) Scheltopusik 
Trachydosaurus rugosus Shingleback 
Varanus varius Lace Monitor