On September 20, 2021, the New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) issued an advisory document, to formulate import hygiene standards for ruminant meat products. The following are main contents:
(1) The inspection by the MPI is required to obtain customs clearance, and the required documents must be submitted through the Trade Single Window (TSW) portal;
(2) The veterinary service department of the exporting country can ensure that ruminant meat products can meet animal health requirements and have a monitoring plan;
(3) Slaughterhouses and processing plants should obtain approval from the exporting country, pre- and post-slaughter inspections, establishment of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plans;
(4) Packaging and transportation are sealed, hygienic storage, and pollution-free, and the packaging and veterinary health certificate must indicate the relevant identification symbols;
(5) Submit materials to apply for a permit on the relevant website;
(6) The documents that must be attached to the goods include English veterinary health certificates and content requirements, and import licenses;
(7) There is a transition period of 6 months from the date of publication.
The feedback period for the consultation document ends on November 19, 2021.