Guidance  Document  
for 
Ornamental Products of Animal Origin 
 
 
 
 
 
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand 
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 
P.O Box 2526 
Wellington 6011 
New Zealand 
 
 
   
 
 
  
Guidance Document for  05 May 2011                                1 of 11 
Ornamental Products of Animal Origin   
CONTENTS 
 
Item Description                                                                                    Page Number  
PART A. INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................................3  
FOREWORD .............................................................................................................................................3  
REVIEW AND AMENDMENT ..........................................................................................................................3  
CONTACT DETAILS ....................................................................................................................................3  
PART B. SCOPE ........................................................................................................................................ 4 
INCLUSIONS .........................................................................................................................................4  
EXCLUSIONS ........................................................................................................................................4  
PART C. GENERAL GUIDANCE ..................................................................................................................4  
CLEARANCE .........................................................................................................................................4  
PACKAGING .........................................................................................................................................5  
PART D. SPECIFIC GUIDANCE ...................................................................................................................5  
PRODUCTS NOT REQUIRING CERTIFICATION .......................................................................................5  
PRODUCTS REQUIRING CERTIFICATION ..............................................................................................6  
PART E. MODEL MANUFACTURER’S DECLARATION ................................................................................7  
PART F. MODEL VETERINARY CERTIF ICATE (ALL COUN TRIES EXCEPT EU) ...........................................8  
PART G. MODEL VETERINARY CERTIFICATE EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER COUNTRIES ........................10  
 
  
 
    
 
   
 
   
 
     
 
    
 
   
Guidance Document for  05 May 2011                                2 of 11 
Ornamental Products of Animal Origin   
PART A. INTRODUCTION 
 
Foreword 
This guidance document has been issued to accompany the MAF Import Health 
Standard for Ornamental Products of Animal Origin (INETROIC.ALL). It is not a 
legally binding document  and, although it can be read independently of the standard, 
it should be read in conjunction with it to ensure that all matters relating to meeting 
the requirements of the standard are fully understood.  
 
 
 
Review an
d amendment 
This guidance document is subject to revi ew and amendment at any time to ensure 
that it continues to meet its purpose. All stakeholders are responsible for ensuring 
that the most recent version of the Guidance Document is used.   
 
 
 
Contact details 
For all matters relating to the interpretation, review and amendment of this guidance 
document, please contact:  
Animal Imports Group  
MAF  
PO Box 2526  
WELLINGTON 6011  
Fax: +64 4 894 0733 
Email: animalimports@maf.govt.nz  
 
 
 
 
   
 
     
 
   
 
Guidance Document for  05 May 2011                                3 of 11 
Ornamental Products of Animal Origin   
PART B. SCOPE 
 
1. Ornamental products of animal origin are defined as non-viable products 
made of animals, or the parts of animals, that are generally used for 
decorative/display purposes.  
 
Inclusions 
2. The following products are included under the scope of this standard 
a. Shells, marine ornaments and coral 
b. 
Manufactured articles derived from hiorn, bone, beak, tusk and tooth 
c. Fly-tying material containing animal skin and fibre 
d. Fully tanned leather and leather goods e. Blown eggs and egg shell ornaments/paintings 
f. 
Rawhide articles and handicrafts 
g. Mounted game trophies h. Un-mounted game trophy parts 
Exclusions 
3. The following products are excluded under the scope of this standard:  
a. Commercial hides and skins from farmed animals that are un-tanned 
b. Animal fibres i.e. bristles, wool, fur 
c. Feathers on handicrafts i.e. arrows, dream catchers, shields d. Preserved animal specimens – in liquid formalin/alcohol  
 
4. Importers should check import requirements for these products at 
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/ihs/search
 
 
PART C. GENERAL GUIDANCE  
Clearance 
5. For products accompanied by documentation imported under this standard an 
inspector will inspect the accompanying documentation to ensure that it 
meets the requirements of the standard i.e. adequately identifies the country of origin, describes the nature of the goods, and where required original. 
6. For products not required to be accompanied by documentation imported 
under the standard (i.e. airport passengers, personal effects) an inspector may rely on verbal declarations to ascertain if the product meets the standard.   
7. Before clearance is given an inspector may physically inspect all or any part 
of a consignment to ensure that it meets Part D of this document (which reflects the requirements of the standard).   
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Ornamental Products of Animal Origin   
8. Products that do not meet the requirements of the standard will be authorised 
for treatment, reshipment or destruction. Importers are therefore advised to 
comply with the standard so as to avoid any delays or extra costs incurred as 
a result of non-compliance.    
9. Where products imported under this standard are authorised for treatment 
this must occur on arrival, or at an approved transitional facility in accordance with the MAF Standard for Approved Biosecurity Treatments
. 
 
Packaging 
10. 
All consignments should be packaged in material that is free of any 
contaminants and is appropriate given the nature of the goods to effectively 
contain any risk organisms.  
 
PART D. SPECIFIC GUIDANCE 
 
Products not requiring certification  
11. In order to obtain clearance the following ornamental products of animal origin 
are required to be clean and dry  in accordance with the standard i.e. free of 
adherent fat, muscle, sinew, blood, extraneous organic material, infestation, 
and evidence of decay. 
 
Product Specific guidance 
Blown eggs If professionally prepared and sealed in display 
cases they can be assumed to be clean and dry 
Coral Ensure is non-viable and dry. Check CITES  
requirements 
Egg shell ornaments If professionally prepared and sealed in display 
cases they can be assumed to be clean and dry 
Fly-tying material Includes pieces of animal skin and hair. If dyed 
assume they are clean and dry, tanned material 
comes under fully tanned leather.   
Fully tanned leather and leather goods Goods containing hides and skins that have undergone a full tanning process so that they are preserved from putrescence and are thermally stable e.g. jackets, shoes, leather lounge suites, possum skins, sheep skins  
Manufactured articles derived from horn, bone, 
beak, tusk, and tooth Includes curios, buttons, jewellery, paper knives, 
etc. They should appear professionally prepared.  
Marine ornaments  Includes shell ornaments  
Mounted game trophies An animal of any species that has undergone a 
complete taxidermy process (professionally 
cleaned and processed by a taxidermist) thus 
ensuring it’s preservation at ambient temperatures. These can be whole animals, heads of animals, 
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Ornamental Products of Animal Origin   
and/or skulls/antlers mounted onto shields 
Rawhide articles and 
handicrafts Items containing hides and skins that have been cleaned, dried, and manufactured into articles and handicrafts (e.g. traditional drums, hunting shields). This includes cultural heritage items or 
items of cultural value that are used for 
performances or decorative purposes containing hides or skins. If complete surface area is not visible for inspection then item will be treated, reshipped, or destroyed.  
Shells  Check CITES  requirements 
 
Importers of game trophy hides and skins (and rawhide products) should be 
aware of the risks of anthrax when handling untreated imported hides and 
skins.  The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published a 
reference document containing useful questions and answers – see 
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/faq/pelt.asp   
 
Products requiring certification 
12. In order to obtain clearance the following ornamental products of animal origin 
must be accompanied by certification as required by the standard. 
 
Product  Specific guidance 
Dried or salted 
mammalian game trophy hides and skins Must have a veterinary certificate as per either Part F or Part G of this document 
Irradiated game trophy hides and skins Must have a veterinary certificate as per either Part F or Part G of this document 
Pickled game trophy hides and skins Must have a veterinary certificate as per either Part F or Part G of this document 
Un-mounted game trophy skulls, horns, hooves, 
antlers, bones, tusks, 
claws, and teeth Must have a manufacturer’s (taxidermist’s) declaration as per Part E of this document.  
 
 
 
   
 
 
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Ornamental Products of Animal Origin   
PART E. MODEL MANUFACTURER’S DECLARATION 
COMPANY LETTERHEAD (full name and address details) 
 
 
 
1. Importer (client) details:  
  
 
2. Full description of commodity (i.e. specie s derived from, specific parts of animal): 
   
3. Total number of packages: 4. Type of packaging: 
5.  Processing information: 
 
The products described above have been : 
 
i. boiled at a minimum of 100°C for at least 30 minutes; AND 
 
ii. processed so that all adherent ti ssues have been completely removed; AND 
 
iii. packaged immediately after treatment in a mann er so as to ensure that there is no subsequent 
contamination with untreated goo ds of similar nature;  AND 
 
iv. verified as free of extraneous organi c material, infestation, and evidence of decay 
 
 
 
 
  
Must be signed and dated 
  
 
 
 
 
 
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Ornamental Products of Animal Origin   
PART F. MODEL VETERINARY CERT IFICATE (ALL COUNTRIES EXCEPT 
EU) 
2.  Certificate reference number: 
 1.Exporter:       Name: 
      Address: 3.  Veterinary Authority: 
 
4.Importer: 
     Name: 
      Address: 
 
5. Country of origin: 
  6.   Zone or compartment of origin:  
7. Country of destination:                                      
8.  Port of departure: 9.  Date of departure: 
10.  Means of transport: 
 
      Aeroplane            Ship             11.  Species derived from: 
   
13. Description of commodity:  14. Net weight (kg):  
17.  Total number of packages: 18.  Identification of container/serial number: 
19.  Type of packaging: 
20.  Processing establishment 
name, address (if different from 
exporter): 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
   
 
   
 
  
  
 
    
 
 
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Ornamental Products of Animal Origin   
Zoo sanitary Attestations  Certificate reference number: 
 
I the undersigned Official Vete rinarian after due examination certify that the game trophies described above:  
1. have been packaged immediately after treatment in  a manner so as to ensure that there is no 
subsequent contamination with untr eated goods of similar nature; AND 
 
2. have been subjected to a pickling process in a solution of  sa lt and mineral acid at a pH equal to or 
less than 4; OR1 
 
3. have been irradiated with a minimum dose of 5 Mrad (50kGy) in a closed and sealed package; OR1   
 
EITHER1 
 
4. For unmounted game trophy hides  and skins from countries/zones not recognised as free from foot 
and mouth disease by MAF2, the hides/skins have been: 
  
i.  Dry or wet salted with salt containing 2%  sodium carbonate for at least 28 days; AND 
 
ii. Sourced from an area free from any outbreaks/epidemics of anthrax; OR1 
 
iii. fumigated with ethylene oxide 500mg/L, at  relative humidity 20 – 40%, at 55°C for 30 
minutes; OR1 
 
iv. fumigated with formaldehyde 400mg/m³ at re lative humidity 30%, at >15°C for 4 hours*; 
OR1 
 
v. gamma irradiated with a dose of 40kGy1   
 
OR1 
 
5. For unmounted game trophy hides and skins from  countries/zones recognised as free from foot and 
mouth disease by MAF2, the hides/skins have been: 
 
i. Dried, dry or wet salted,  for at least 14 days; AND 
 
ii. Sourced from an area free from any outbreaks/epidemics of anthrax; OR1 
 
iii. fumigated with ethylene oxide 500mg/L, at  relative humidity 20 – 40%, at 55°C for 30 
minutes; OR1 
 
iv. fumigated with formaldehyde 400mg/m³ at re lative humidity 30%, at >15°C for 4 hours; 
OR1 
 
v. gamma irradiated with a dose of 40kGy1    
 
1 Delete as appropriate 
2 Refer to http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/pests/foot-n-m outh/fmd-free-countries-and-zones.pdf   
 
This certificate is valid for 4 months from the date of issue (unless revoked) 
 
Official Veterinarian:  
Name and address (in capital letters):                                Official  Position: 
Date:                                                                                    Signature: 
 
  
 
 
   Official stamp/seal 
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Ornamental Products of Animal Origin   
PART G. MODEL VETERINARY CERT IFICATE EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER 
COUNTRIES 
2.  Certificate reference number: 
 1.Exporter:       Name: 
      Address: 3.  Veterinary Authority: 
 
4.Importer: 
     Name: 
      Address: 
 
5. Country of origin: 
  6.   Zone or compartment of origin:  
7. Country of destination:                                      
8.  Port of departure: 9.  Date of departure: 
10.  Means of transport: 
 
      Aeroplane            Ship             11.  Species derived from: 
   
13. Description of commodity:  14. Net weight (kg):  
17.  Total number of packages: 18.  Identification of container/serial number: 
19.  Type of packaging: 
20.  Processing establishment 
name, address (if different from 
exporter): 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
   
 
   
 
  
  
 
    
 
 
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Ornamental Products of Animal Origin   
Guidance Document for  05 May 2011                                11 of 11  
Zoo sanitary Attestations  Certificate reference number: 
 
21. I the undersigned Official Veterinarian after due examination certify t hat the animal products 
herein described:  
1. comply with the relevant European Union animal health/public health standards and 
requirements which have been recognised as equivalent to New Zealand standards and 
requirements as prescribed in Council Decision 97/132/EC, as last amended, specifically, 
in accordance with: Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002  
AND 
2. The animal product is eligible for in tra-community trade wi thout restriction. 
For game trophies, which have been exported into the European Union from a third country  
and are subsequently eligible for export to New Zealand, the following additional declarations on 
the veterinary certificate must be attested to: 
 
The product described herein was deriv ed/partly derived from product which: 
 
 Was imported into the European Unio n from…………(insert country of origin) 
 Was further stored, handled, processed, wr apped, and/or packaged in an establishment 
which is eligible to process product for the intra-community trade, 
 Originated in a third country/countries a nd establishment(s) listed by the European 
Community and is eligible for export to the European Union  
 
(A copy of the original import certificate is to  be attached to the signed member state veterinary 
certificate. This copy is to be endorsed ‘certified copy of original’ by the official veterinarian). 
 
 
 
This certificate is valid for 4 months from the date of issue (unless revoked) 
 
Official Veterinarian:  Name and address (in capital letters):                                Official  Position: 
Date:                                                                                    Signature: 
 
 
  
 
 
   Official stamp/seal 
 
     
 
 
 
Ornamental Products of Animal Origin