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Proposed changes to the import health standard for bovine germplasm

Update – 31 July 2025

Final import health standard issued

MPI has released the final IHS along with the review of submissions. The IHS provides import requirements for semen, in vivo embryos, and in vitro embryos.

IHS for Bovine Germplasm [PDF, 512 KB]

Review of submissions [PDF, 1024 KB]

Transition

A 2-month transitional arrangement from 31 July 2025 to 30 September 2025 will be provided to allow for the negotiation of new veterinary certificates where required.

From 1 October 2025 all imported bovine semen must test negative for Mycoplasma bovis in accordance with MPI-STD-SAA.

New certificates for in vitro produced embryos can now be negotiated with MPI. Requests can be sent to animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz

Consultation background

From 15 January to 15 March 2025, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invited comments on proposed changes to the Bovine Germplasm Import Health Standard (IHS).

The short code for the import health standard is BOVIGERM.GEN

Full details of the proposed changes are in the consultation documents.

What was being proposed?

The standard covered import conditions for bovine semen and bovine in vivo derived embryos. We proposed an amendment to expand the scope to include bovine in vitro produced embryos in response to interest from importers and market trends. We also proposed some minor updates to the existing import conditions for bovine semen and bovine in vivo derived embryos to align with WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health) recommendations and provided more clarity.

The proposed amendments

Overall, we are proposed to amend the standard by:

adding conditions for the importation of bovine in vitro produced embryos
removing the import permit requirement for all bovine germplasm
changing references of cattle to "animals" throughout the IHS to cover other relevant bovine species. More information about this change is in the 'Bovine germplasm guidance document'.

For bovine semen, we're proposed to:

add options for the management of enzootic bovine leukosis
clarify the test options for BVDV2
add semen testing and donor treatment options for the management of leptospirosis
change semen donor testing requirements for the management of Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis
remove the condition for donors to never have had a confirmed positive result for Q fever when semen is tested directly
remove the antibiotic treatment option for the management of Mycoplasma bovis in semen
add a definition for semen collection.

For bovine in vivo derived embryos, we're proposed to:

clarify the test options for BVDV2
align the import conditions for lumpy skin disease with WOAH recommendations
add embryo testing and donor treatment options for the management of leptospirosis
remove the requirement for embryo donors to be free of TB signs 24 hours prior to collection
require the semen used to produce the embryos to meet the import conditions for Mycoplasma bovis.

Consultation documents

Draft Bovine Germplasm Import Health Standard [PDF, 500 KB]

Bovine germplasm IHS guidance document [PDF, 530 KB]

Risk management proposal for importing bovine germplasm [PDF, 561 KB]

Steps to finalising the new IHS

After consultation on a draft import health standard, MPI publishes a provisional IHS.

If you made a submission during the consultation, you have 10 working days to notify the Director-General of MPI that you intend to request an independent review. Reviews are limited to whether specific scientific evidence was given sufficient consideration.

If no review is requested within 10 working days, then the provisional IHS is confirmed and the final IHS is issued. A 6-month transition period will be implemented during which time either the old or new import requirements can be used. After this period, the new import requirements in the IHS must be followed.

For more information about reviews refer to Section 24 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 – NZ Legislation

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

Legal background

MPI must consult with interested parties in accordance with section 23 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) and MPI's consultation policy before issuing or amending (other than of minor or urgent nature) import health standards (IHS) under sections 24A and 24B of the Act.

An IHS specifies import requirements that must be met either in the country of origin or of export, or during transit, before biosecurity clearance can be given for the goods to enter New Zealand. MPI must ensure that these requirements are technically justified and provide an appropriate level of biosecurity protection.