- Extension of countries eligible to export frozen, skinless, boneless fillet meat of Oreochromis spp. (tilapia) under the import health standard fisfillic.spen - Import risk analysis supplementary risk analysis (May 2010) [PDF, 100 KB]
- Frozen, skinless and boneless fillet meat of Oreochromis spp. from China and Brazil for human consumption - Draft import risk analysis (September 2007) [PDF, 470 KB]
- Frozen, skinless and boneless fillet meat of Oreochromis spp. from China and Brazil for human consumption - Import risk analysis review of submissions (February 2008) [PDF, 185 KB]
This risk analysis examined the biosecurity risks associated with the importation into New Zealand of frozen skinless and boneless fillets (or mince derived from fillets) of tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) from Brazil and China.
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.
Thirteen hazards were identified from the list of organisms of potential concern and subjected to further risk assessment: iridoviruses, aquatic birnaviruses, Aeromonas salmonicida, Flavobacterium spp., Streptococcus iniae, Edwardsiella spp., intracellular bacteria, Yersinia ruckeri, Henneguya spp., digenean metacercaria, larval nematodes, Ichthyophonus hoferi and Aphanomyces invadans. Waterborne contaminants were identified as a fourteenth hazard.
None of the thirteen primary hazards were identified as requiring specific risk management measures. The separation of the fillets from the rest of the carcass effectively removes the majority of organisms that might be present in the live animal. Water quality standards were specified to prevent entry of foodborne hazards.
