- Extension of countries eligible to export frozen, skinless, boneless fillet meat of Pangasius spp. under the import health standard fisfilic.spe - Import risk analysis supplementary risk analysis (April 2010) [PDF, 166 KB]
- Freshwater frozen, skinless and boneless fillet meat of Pangasius spp. fish from Vietnam for human consumption - Import risk Analysis review of submissions (September 2008) [PDF, 669 KB]
- Freshwater frozen, skinless and boneless fillet meat of Pangasius spp. fish from Vietnam for human consumption - Draft import risk analysis (March 2008) [PDF, 337 KB]
This risk analysis examined the biosecurity risks associated with the importation into New Zealand of frozen, skinless and boneless fillet meat of pangasid catfish (Pangasius spp.) from Vietnam.
An initial list of organisms of potential concern was developed from published literature, scientific texts, the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) list of notifiable fish diseases and official disease reporting statistics. This list was critically examined using a number of criteria including the status of the organism in New Zealand and the exporting region, the presence of more virulent strains in the region of origin, restricted geographical range of organisms in New Zealand if applicable, different host associations in different areas and the official control status in New Zealand.
Eight hazards were identified from the list of organisms of potential concern and subjected to further risk assessment. These were iridoviruses, atypical A. salmonicida, Flavobacterium spp., Edwardsiella ictaluri, Kabatana arthuri, digenean metacercaria, larval nematodes, and Aphanomyces invadans. Waterborne contaminants were also considered as a ninth hazard. Following individual risk assessments, none of the eight hazards were assessed to be a risk in this commodity from Vietnam, thus eliminating any requirement for specific risk management measures. The process of filleting and the period of time frozen effectively reduce any pathogenic burden to levels where the likelihood of exposure and establishment in New Zealand is negligible. To mitigate any residual risk to human health, water quality standards were specified to prevent entry of foodborne hazards.