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Official Assurances

Official assurances are assurances from the New Zealand Government to the importing country's government that the requirements stated in the official assurance have been met. They take a wide variety of forms.

Assurances may be general. Examples are the Veterinary Agreement with the European Union, and the Memorandum of Understanding regarding export of shellfish to the USA. Such general assurances may or may not need to be backed up by an official assurance (export certificate) accompanying each consignment. The number of general assurance arrangements is likely to increase in the future with a consequential reduction in the need for consignment assurances.

The type of official assurance format required for a particular type of animal material or product entering a particular market will be advised in the overseas market access requirements under the heading of the destination country. It is an offence to alter or adapt the format of an official assurance in any way (see section 127 of the Animal Products Act).

How will an official assurance be obtained?

The detail of the processes for gaining an official assurance are in the Official Assurances Programme, please refer to the Animal Products Group website:

www.nzfsa.govt.nz/animalproducts/publications/manualsguides/oap

Other forms of Certification

The Animal Products Act recognises that even where a foreign country does not require official assurances it is sometimes advantageous for New Zealand exporters to have some form of government-issued statement as to the fitness for intended purpose of a consignment. Accordingly, section 83 of the Act authorises the Director-General to issue statements in writing as to New Zealand animal product standard.

From past experience, exporters sometimes seek statements concerning information other than what would relate to New Zealand animal products standards. Such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. In such cases it is essential that the exporter concerned, in advance of exporting, obtain confirmation from MAF that the desired certificate can be issued. Such certificates are outside of the Animal Products Act regime.

Disclaimer:

This publication is not a legal interpretation of the Animal Products Act or the Animal Products (Ancillary and Transitional Provisions) Act and is intended only as a guide.