Download Non-viable biological products, microorganisms and other viable cells into New Zealand - Import risk analysis (December 2005)

The intention of this risk analysis is to analyse the risks involved in the importation of those biological products that are not already under formal control by other mechanisms.

Non-viable products or biological products will predominantly be used by laboratories, which may be registered as transitional facilities. Amino acids, antimicrobials, and small molecular weight fermentation products were not identified as potential hazards. Culture media, proteins derived from fermentation, test kits that contain no live organisms, products derived from animal and plant tissues (including blood, microorganisms, and eggs) were submitted to more detailed examination as potential hazards but were then found to be of negligible risk.

Most biological products will be purchased from recognised suppliers of biological products and only a few of the products in these categories are of concern. Therefore a series of measures are described to control the importation of potentially hazardous biological products.

Microorganisms, cell cultures and other live cells from plants and animals have been analysed separately. It has been recommended that they should be imported subject to the issue of a “Permit to Import” issued by MPI. It has also been suggested that a decision tree should be used to formalise the process of deciding whether microorganisms and cell cultures should be given a “Permit to Import”.
Novel products that do not fall into any existing category, should be imported only on the basis of a restricted “Permit to import” after consultation about the appropriate restrictions with DoC, ERMA, and MPI.