Download Crocodilia and eggs of Crocodilia from Australia - Import risk analysis (November 2007)

This risk analysis considers the biosecurity risks associated with the importation of live animals and hatching eggs of species within the Order Crocodilia (Class Reptilia) from Australia. The commodity definitions used were: animals of species in the Order Crocodilia (Class Reptilia) which have been hatched and reared in captivity in Australia and which are clinically healthy and free from visible soil contamination; and eggs of Crocodilia laid in captivity in Australia. Eggs must be clean on visual inspection. From a preliminary hazard list, those organisms identified as hazards in the commodity were subjected to individual risk assessments.

As a result of the individual risk assessments, it was concluded that the risk in live Crocodilia was non-negligible for only one organism; Edwardsiella tarda. It is recommended that Crocodilia are required to have been reared in an environment with good quality water from a supply not inhabited by fish and have not been fed on fish or been exposed to live fish, or samples from both gular and paracloacal glands have been cultured for E. tarda with negative results and faecal samples collected on two separate occasions have been cultured for E. tarda with negative results.

There is no evidence that Edwardsiella tarda is transmitted through eggs or that similar organisms are transmitted through eggs either in reptiles or in birds. It is considered that clean eggs of Crocodilia imported from Australia into New Zealand do not present a biosecurity hazard. No risk mitigation measures are recommended.