Import Health Standard for primates from Australia and the United Kingdom into New Zealand  
ZOOPRIIC.SPE 1 July 2008 Page 1 of 13  IMPORT HEALTH STANDARD FOR THE 
IMPORTATION OF ZOO PRIMATES  FROM 
AUSTRALIA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM INTO NEW 
ZEALAND  
Issued pursuant to Section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 
Dated: 18 July 2008 
USER GUIDE 
The information in MAF animal and animal product import health standards is presented in numerically ordered sections with descriptive titles. Sections are grouped into one of four parts, 
designated alphabetically. 
Part A. GENERAL INFORMATION contains sections of general interest, including those 
relating to the legal basis for MAF import health standards and the general responsibilities of every importer of animals and animal products. 
Part B. IMPORTATION PROCEDURE contains sections that outline the requirements to be met 
prior to and during importation. Whether a permit to import is required to be obtained prior to 
importation is noted, as are conditions of eligibility, transport and general conditions relating to documentation accompanying the consignment. 
Part C. CLEARANCE PROCEDURE contains sections describing the requirements to be met at 
the New Zealand border and, if necessary, in a transitional facility in New Zealand prior to any 
consignment being given biosecurity clearance. 
Part D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION contains model health certification which must be 
completed by the appropriate personnel as indicated in the certification and accompany the 
consignment to New Zealand.  
 
PART A: GENERAL INFORMATION 
1 IMPORT HEALTH STANDARD 
1.1 Pursuant to section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, this is the import health standard for 
the importation of primates  from Australia and the United Kingdom into New Zealand zoo 
containment facilities.  
1.2 Approval for the importation of each consignment of primates from Australia and the 
United Kingdom is dependent on containment approval from the Environmental Risk 
Management Authority (ERMA) for that particular species of primate and on the 
consignment meeting the requirements of this import health standard.  
Import Health Standard for primates from Australia and the United Kingdom into New Zealand  
ZOOPRIIC.SPE 1 July 2008 Page 2 of 13  1.3 This import health standard may be reviewed, amended or revoked if there are changes in 
New Zealand's import policy or the animal health status of the originating country, or for 
any other lawful reason, at the discretion of the Animal Imports & Exports Group Manager. 
 2 IMPORTER'S RESPONSIBILITIES 
2.1 The costs of MAFBNZ performing functions relating to the importation of primates shall 
be recovered in accordance with the Biosecurity Act and any regulations made under that 
Act. 
2.2 All costs involved with documentation, transport, storage and obtaining a Biosecurity 
direction and clearance shall be borne by the importer or importer’s agent. 
2.3 The importer must make all arrangements for transport of the primates to and within New 
Zealand. 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 Manager. The vehicles and crates used for transport within New Zealand may be subject to inspection by a New Zealand Official Veterinarian, who may seal the container in which 
the primates are transported to the transitional fac ility.  
2.4 The importer must give the New Zealand Official Veterinarian at the port of arrival, at 
least 7 days notice of the expected time of arrival and flight number or name of shipping vessel. 
 
2.5 If a species of primate is not currently held in a zoo within New Ze aland, the importer is 
responsible for obtaining approval from the Environmental Risk Management Authority before importation will be permitted.  
 3 EQUIVALENCE 
 The import health standard has been agreed as being suitable for trade between the exporting 
 and the importing countries. It is expected that the poultry products w ill meet the conditions 
 in every respect. 
 Occasionally it is found that, due to circumstances beyond the control of the importer or 
 exporter, a consignment does not comply completely with this import health standard.  In 
 such cases, an  application for equivalence may be considered, equivalence granted and a 
 permit to import issued at the discretion of the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and  Forestry, but only if the following information is forwarded by the certifying  government's veterinary authority: 
 3.1 which clause/s of the import health standard cannot be met and how this has  
  occurred; 
  
Import Health Standard for primates from Australia and the United Kingdom into New Zealand  
ZOOPRIIC.SPE 1 July 2008 Page 3 of 13    
 3.2 the reason the consignment is considered to be of an "equivalent health" status and/or 
  what proposal is made to return the consignment to an equivalent health status as set 
  out in this standard; and 
3.3  the reasons why the veterinary authority of the country of origin believe this proposal 
 must be acceptable to the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and their  recommendation for its acceptance. 
 
4 DEFINITION OF TERMS 
Animal Imports & Exports Group 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 power and functions of the Animal Group Manager  
 
Biosecurity direction 
 Written authority from an inspector, given under section 25 of the Biosecurity Act 
(1993), to move uncleared goods from a transitional fac ility or biosecurity control area to 
another transitional facility, containment facility or biosecurity control area, or to export those goods from New Zealand.  Biosecurity clearance  
A clearance under section 26 of the Biosecurity Act (1993) for the entry of goods into 
New Zealand. (Explanatory Note: Goods given a Biosecurity Clearance by an Inspector 
are released to the importer without restriction). 
 
Certifying Official 
A person authorised by the Veterinary Authority of the exporting country to sign international 
veterinary certificates.  Containment Facility  
As defined by the Biosecurity Act 1993. 
 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 Biosecurity Act and controls imposed under HSNO).   
 
MAFBNZ 
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity New Zealand 
    
Import Health Standard for primates from Australia and the United Kingdom into New Zealand  
ZOOPRIIC.SPE 1 July 2008 Page 4 of 13   
 
Official Veterinarian 
An official veterinarian means a veterinarian authorised by the Veterinary Administration 
of the country 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 Code  pertaining to principles of certification.  
 
OIE Code  
The World Animal Health Organisation Terrestrial Animal Health Code. 
 
Veterinary Officer  
A registered veterinarian who is an inspector under the Biosecurity Act employed either 
by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry or by a supplier contracted to provide services 
to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. 
 
Transitional facility 
As defined by the Biosecurity Act 1993.  
 
PART B. IMPORTATION PROCEDURE 
 5  PERMIT  TO IMPORT  
5.1 A permit to import is required for all consignments of zoo primates imported into New 
Zealand from Australia and the United Kingdom.  Application for a permit shall be made 
at least 30 days prior to the proposed date of importation in writing to: 
Animal Imports, Border Standards Directorate, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, PO Box 
2526, We llington, New Zealand animalimports@maf.govt.nz
 
5.2 The importer must supply the following information: 
5.2.1 name and address of exporter; 5.2.2 number, sex, age and species of the primates; 5.2.3 date of the proposed importation; 
5.2.4 name and address of the transitional facility in New Zealand, to which the 
consignment is to proceed following importation; 
5.2.5 a letter from the New Zealand Official Veterinarian supervising post-arrival 
quarantine that confirms that the facility is available for this consignment; and 
5.2.6 the port of arrival and route and means of transport to the transitional facility.  
Import Health Standard for primates from Australia and the United Kingdom into New Zealand  
ZOOPRIIC.SPE 1 July 2008 Page 5 of 13  5.3 The permit to import will be issued for a single consignment.  Attached to, and an integral 
part of the permit to import, is the current import health standard which describes the 
conditions under which the primates may be imported into New Zealand. 
 
6 DOCUMENTATION ACCOMPANYING THE CONSIGNMENT 
6.1 The consignment shall be accompanied by the permit to import and all appropriately 
completed health certification which meets the requirements of PART D. 
ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION.  The required documentation is: 
6.1.1 Zoosanitary Certification (including Veterinary Certificates A & B) with attached 
copies of laboratory test results; and 
6.1.2 Permit to Import. 
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. Failure to do so may result in delays in obtaining 
biosecurity direction and/or clearance or rejection of consignments. 
[Note: Any requirement for the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species 
(CITES) or other conservation related documentation must be met by the exporter/importer and is independent of this certification.]  7 ELIGIBILITY FOR IMPORTATION 
7.1 Eligibility for impor tation under this import health standard is confined to primates from 
Australia and the United Kingdom.  
7.2 The primates must have been resident since birth or for at least 2 years in a government 
registered or licensed, zoo or wildlife park.  
7.3 The primates and the zoo, in which the primates reside, must have been free of quarantine 
restrictions during the 90 days prior to the scheduled date of export. 
7.4 The primates must be permanently identified by microchip transponder. 
7.5 The primates must not be in the last third of pregnancy at the date of export. 
7.6 All requirements of this import health standard, including those detailed in the Model 
Zoosanitary Certificate must be met for the primates to be eligible for importation. 
7.7 All relevant records, including vaccinations, tests and treatments for infectious diseases 
and parasites performed since birth, or during at least the two year period prior to export, 
must be attached to the Zoosanitary Certificate
. 
 
  
Import Health Standard for primates from Australia and the United Kingdom into New Zealand  
ZOOPRIIC.SPE 1 July 2008 Page 6 of 13  8 PRE-EXPORT ISOLATION (PEI) 
8.1 The primates must be held in pre-export isolation for at least 30 days prior to the 
scheduled date of export to New Ze aland. 
8.2 Bedding used in PEI must be clean and have no evidence of contamination with ticks eg, 
sterilised peat, soft board, wood shavings or other inert material. Straw and hay must not be used. 
8.3 If any positive results are obtained during pre-export isolation testing, the Animal Imports 
& Exports Group Manager must be informed immediately for a decision regarding the fate 
of the consignment. Either  the animals will be subject to further testing, treatment and an 
extended quarantine period at the importer’s expense; or the importation will be cancelled. 
8.4 All laboratory testing must be undertaken in a Government or Government-approved 
laboratory, and the results must be attached to the export certification. 
 
9 TRANSPORT TO NEW ZEALAND 
9.1 Date, expected time of arrival and the flight number or ships name must be notified to the 
New Zealand Official Veterinarian at the airport/port of entry at least 7 days in advance of importation.  
9.2 Containers made of timber must meet the requirements of the wood packaging import 
health standard (refer to www.maf.govt.nz/biosecurity/imports/forests/index.htm
 )  
  
PART C. CLEARANCE PROCEDURE 
10 BIOSECURITY DIRECTION  
10.1 Upon arrival in New Zealand, the documentation accompanying the primates shall be 
inspected by an Inspector at the port of arrival. The Inspector may also inspect the 
primates. 
10.2  Providing that the documentation meets all requirements noted under PART D: 
ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION and the consignment meets the conditions of ELIGIBILITY, an Inspector under section 25 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, may give a biosecurity direction authorising the primates to be moved to the transitional facility 
named in the permit to import. 
 
11 TRANSITIONAL FACILITY 
11.1 The primates must remain in the transitional fac ility for at least 30 days, or for a longer 
period if required by the Animal Imports & Exports Group Manager. Deleted: ¶
¶ 
Import Health Standard for primates from Australia and the United Kingdom into New Zealand  
ZOOPRIIC.SPE 1 July 2008 Page 7 of 13  11.2 Prior to being released into the transitional fac ility the primates must be subjected to an 
examination by a veterinary officer for the presence of external parasites, especially ticks. 
Any ectoparasites found must be sent to the National Centre for Disease Investigation (NCDI) for identification.  
11.3 Faecal samples must be taken and submitted to the NCDI for parasitological examination. 11.4 Upon arrival, any remaining food, bedding, and faecal material must be destroyed by 
incineration. 
11.5 The crates used to transport the primates must be cleaned and disinfected and stored until 
the end of the quarantine period in the transitional facility. 
11.6 While in the transitional facility, the animals will be subjected to such testing, treatments 
or procedures required by the Animal Imports & Exports Group Manager that are reasonably necessary to determine the health status of the consignment. 
11.7 All costs of testing, treatment, transport, quarantine servicing and veterinary supervision 
must be borne by the importer. 
11.8 On satisfactory completion of the post arrival quarantine period, and on the written 
confirmation from the Animal Imports & Exports Group Manager, the supervising Veterinary Officer will authorise the primates to be moved from the transitional fac ility to 
a permanent containment facility for zoo animals. 
11.9 The primates and any of their offspring must remain permanently in a registered zoo, and 
may not be transferred to another zoo without the prior permission of the Animal Imports & Exports Group Manager. 
 
 
PART D: ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATE 
12 NEGOTIATED EXPORT CERTIFICATION 
The following Model Zoosanitary Certificate contains the information required by MAF to 
accompany imports of primates into New Zealand from Australia and the United Kingdom:  
Import Health Standard for primates from Australia and the United Kingdom into New Zealand  
ZOOPRIIC.SPE 1 July 2008 Page 8 of 13  ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATE 
Species:  PRIMATES 
To:   NEW ZEALAND 
Permit to import number........................................................................................................ ..  
Exporting Country:  AUSTRALIA/UNITED KINGDOM (delete as appropriate) 
Competent Authority: 
I:  IDENTIFICATION OF ANIMAL 
1 Microchip identification number:..................................................................................  
2 Site of microchip:.........................................................................................................   3 Other identification (eg ARKS number): ......................................................................  4 Species: ..................................................................................................................... ..  
5 Sex: ......................................................................................................................... ....  
6 Date of birth: ...............................................................................................................  
7 Total number of animals:..............................................................................................  
II: ORIGIN OF THE ANIMAL 
1 Name and address of exporter:.....................................................................................  
 .............................................................................................................................. ......  
2 Place of origin of animal:..............................................................................................  3 Port of embarkation: ....................................................................................................  
III: DESTINATION OF ANIMAL 
1 Name and address of consignee:...................................................................................  
2 Flight number:..............................................................................................................  3 Port of arrival: .............................................................................................................  
IV: SANITARY INFORMATION  
Import Health Standard for primates from Australia and the United Kingdom into New Zealand  
ZOOPRIIC.SPE 1 July 2008 Page 9 of 13  VETERINARY CERTIFICATE A - REGISTERED VETERINARIAN 
I, ........................................................................ being a registered veterinarian and authorised 
to provide veterinary services to the government registered zoo or wildlife park named in section 
II, certify with respect to the primate identified in the attached Zoosanitary Certificate that: 
Animals 
1 After due enquiry or physical examination I am satisfied that the primate: 
 1.1 is identified by microchip transponder.   1.2 was born or has been resident in a government registered or licensed, zoo or 
wildlife park for at least 2 years prior to export.   
 1.3 is not in the last trimester of pregnancy. 
1.4 is from premises that are under perman ent veterinary supervision, and where a 
suitable health monitoring programme is followed, including necropsies, microbiological and parasitological testing. 
1.5 has been kept in buildings and enclosures in which no case of tuberculosis or other 
zoonoses including rabies has occurred during the past 2 years. 
1.6 has been part of a primate population in which no cases of clinical salmonellosis, 
shigellosis or yersinosis has occurred in the past 12 months. 
Pre-export isolation (PEI) 
2 The primate was isolated from all other animals not of the same health and residency 
status for 30 days prior to the schedule date of export.   
3 The primate and all in-contact animals were free from clinical signs of infectious disease 
during the PEI period. 
Testing and treatments 
4 During the PEI period: 
4.1 The primate was treated on two occasions at a minimum of 14 days apart, against  
   internal parasites using the following compound: 
Date of first treatment:......................................................................................  
Date of second treatment: ................................................................................  Active ingredients and dose rate:.......................................................................   
Import Health Standard for primates from Australia and the United Kingdom into New Zealand  
ZOOPRIIC.SPE 1 July 2008 Page 10 of 13  4.2 The primate was subjected to two faecal examinations with negative results for 
internal parasites at least 14 days apart, using a floatation concentration method 
and a sedimentation method. 
4.3 The primate was subjected to two faecal cultures with negative results for bacterial 
pathogens including Salmonella, Shigella,  and Yersinia spp  at least 14 days apart. 
4.4 The primate was treated with a broad-spectrum parasiticide effective against ticks 
and other external parasites on entry into the PEI premises, and as often as 
necessary during PEI, to ensure that the animal remained free from ticks.  The final 
treatment was at or near the time of loading the animal for export to New Zealand.  
Dates of treatment: ...........................................................................................  
Active ingredients:............................................................................................  
4.5 The primate was tested with negative results for Q Fever using either the 
complement fixation test (CFT) or the ELISA,  (negative result is one in which there is no fixation of complement at a 1:10 dilution or higher).  
Date of test:......................................................................................................  
Test type: .........................................................................................................  
4.6 In the case of prosimians, gibbons and great apes, Old World monkeys, and 
New World monkeys (except marmosets and tamarins),  the primate was 
subjected to a Tuberculosis test with negative results on two occasions, at an interval of at least 2 weeks between each test during the 30 days prior to shipment. 
Date of first test................................................................................................  
Date of second test:. .........................................................................................  
4.7  In the case of gibbons and great apes only the animal was subjected to a 
diagnostic test with negative results for Hepatitis B virus.  
Date of test:......................................................................................................  
Test type: .........................................................................................................  
5 All laboratory tests were conducted at a Government laboratory or a laboratory approved 
by the Government Veterinary Service of Australia or the United Kingdom. 
6 The primate was examined within 3 days prior to the date of departure and was found to 
be free from clinical signs of infectious disease, and was fit to travel.   
Import Health Standard for primates from Australia and the United Kingdom into New Zealand  
ZOOPRIIC.SPE 1 July 2008 Page 11 of 13  7 All relevant health records, including all vaccinations, tests and treatments performed 
during at least the two years prior to export of the primate are attached to this certificate. 
............................................................................................................................... ................  
Name and signature of registered veterinarian   Official stamp and date 
 
Address of registered veterinarian:...........................................................................................  
............................................................................................................................... ................  
 
 
            
 
    
Import Health Standard for primates from Australia and the United Kingdom into New Zealand  
ZOOPRIIC.SPE 1 July 2008 Page 12 of 13  VETERINARY CERTIFICATE B - OFFICIAL VETERINARIAN 
I, ........................................................................the Offi cial Veterinarian at the port of export 
of the primate for export to New Zealand identified in the attached Zoosanitary Certificate, certify 
that: 
1 At the time of export the primate was inspected and found to be healthy and fit to travel, and 
free from clinical signs of infectious disease. 
2 The veterinarian certifying Veterinary Certificate A is a registered veterinarian in Australia 
/United Kingdom (delete as appropriate). 
Transport 
3 The vehicles in which the primates were transported from the PEI premise to the port of 
departure were cleaned and disinfected. 
4 During transport to the port of departure the primates were kept isolated from animals 
that were not of equivalent health status. 
5 During transport to the port of departure and during transit to New Zealand all feed was 
free from evidence of contamination with ticks and weeds/weed seeds. 
6 If being shipped by air, the primates must be shipped in accordance with the International 
Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animal Regulations. 
7 The crates or pens to be used for transporting the primates to New Zealand are either new 
or if previously used were cleaned and disinfected with an approved disinfectant.  
8 During transport, the use of straw or hay as bedding is not permitted. Only sterile peat, 
soft board or other inert approved products was used. 
9 No other animals are being transported in the aircraft or ship except animals officially 
certified by an Official Veterinarian for export from Australia/ United Kingdom (delete as appropriate) to New Zealand. 
10 The cargo space of the ship/aircraft where the primates are to be transported was sprayed 
with an approved insecticidal spray prior to departure. 
11 The crates or pens were sealed by an Official Veterinarian using seals bearing the unique 
mark or identification number:  
 .............................................................................................................................. ....... 
12 All the required documents were examined and found to be correctly completed in accordance 
with the New Zealand import health standard requirements. 
  
Import Health Standard for primates from Australia and the United Kingdom into New Zealand  
ZOOPRIIC.SPE 1 July 2008 Page 13 of 13  VETERINARY CERTIFICATE B - OFFICIAL VETERINARIAN (continued) 
 
............................................................................................................................... ...................... 
Official Veterinarian      Official stamp and date 
 Name and address of office:.................................................................................................... ....... 
............................................................................................................................... ...................... 
 
Note: Official stamp must be applied to all pages 
 
           
 
  Z O O P R I I C . A U S          A I - A U  4 5 L