The types of livestock feeds this process covers
The requirements on this page are for feed ingredients and feed manufactured for animal consumption. Feed includes grains, sheep pellets, and animal dietary supplements.
Steps to exporting other types of animal food
Follow these steps to export livestock feed
Export requirements vary for livestock feed, depending on its ingredient and your destination market. We’ve created a step-by-step process so you can see what’s involved.
Meet New Zealand requirements for livestock feed exports
New Zealand legislation and operating requirements.
Comply with New Zealand legislation and standards
Livestock feed must meet the requirements of the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Act 1997, if:
- it is manufactured for both export and sale in New Zealand, or
- the export market requires that the product is eligible for sale in New Zealand.
Livestock feed that contains animal ingredients must also meet the requirements of the Animal Products Act 1999.
Operating requirements
For livestock feed requirements under the ACVM Act, refer to Manufacturing pet food, animal feed, and nutritional supplements
There are no ACVM requirements for export-only livestock feed. However, you should keep them separate from products that will be sold in New Zealand.
If your feed contains animal products
You must operate under a registered risk management programme (RMP) if:
- your feed contains animal products, and
- the market you are exporting to requires an export certificate.
Check the next step for how to find out the requirements for your destination market.
About risk management programmes
RMPs help you manage hazards, ensure your feed is fit for purpose, and meet legal requirements.
Storage and transport operators
Make sure other operators in your supply chain, like transport companies and storage providers, are meeting their requirements.
Food safety requirements for transport, wharf, and cold and dry store operators
Need help?
For Animal Products Act requirements, email animal.products@mpi.govt.nz
For ACVM Act requirements, email approvals@mpi.govt.nz
Legislation
Animal Products Act 1999 on the NZ Legislation website
Animal Products Regulations 2021 on the NZ Legislation website
Animal Product Notice: Production, Supply and Processing [PDF, 2.6 MB]
Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act 1997 on the NZ Legislation website
ACVM Notice: Agricultural Compounds Exempt from Registration [PDF, 379 KB]
Check destination requirements for livestock feed exports
Overseas market access requirements and requirements for your market.
If the livestock feed does not contain animal products
Some overseas markets have phytosanitary (plant health) requirements that you need to meet. We summarise these in documents called Importing Countries Phytosanitary Requirements (ICPRs).
You can search to see if your market has ICPRs for your product. Not every market or product will have an ICPR.
Your destination market may have other requirements for your product, such as labelling and packaging. Ask your importer or agent about any requirements that your livestock feed needs to meet. You should check with your importer even if there is an ICPR.
If the livestock feed contains animal products
You need to check if there is an Overseas Market Access Requirements (OMAR) document for your destination.
OMARs differ between markets and products. They set out requirements for all operators involved with exporting your product.
You need to apply to MPI to read OMARs for animal products because they're password protected.
Search for your OMAR
When you have access, you'll be able to read the OMARs for your products.
Search for your destination market OMAR
Check all the requirements in the OMAR
Read the OMAR for your destination market thoroughly to make sure you can comply with all the requirements.
If your export destination has an OMAR you'll likely need an official assurance (export certificate). This is the New Zealand Government's assurance that your product meets the standards set out in the OMAR. You'll need to get your official assurance before you can send your product.
You can find out more about getting an export certificate in the Official Assurance Requirements Notice.
Animal Products Notice: Official Assurance Requirements [PDF, 401 KB]
You should also check with your importer whether there are any other requirements you need to meet. This could include a certificate of compliance with ACVM requirements.
Certification under the ACVM legislation
Check FYIs and OMAR notifications
Besides the OMAR, there may be other documents that have information about your market.
Guidance offered by FYIs can help you with exporting concerns or issues. You may need your OMAR password to read some FYIs.
OMAR notifications will give you the latest updates for your destination market.
'For Your Information' (FYI) documents
Find out if your premises need to be approved
Some markets require premises to be 'listed' before you can export your products. 'Listing' is a procedure agreed between governments for ensuring that:
- a country's market access requirements are met, and
- products are produced in premises eligible to export to that country.
Your OMAR will tell you if your premises need to be listed, and the process to follow.
Are you using wood packaging?
If you use wood packaging (other than paper) for your export product, check it meets the plant health requirements of the destination country. Most countries require you to treat your wood packaging to make sure it's free of pests and diseases.
Register as an animal products exporter, if needed
How to register and the list of registered exporters.
Who needs to register
If your livestock feed contains animal products, you need to register as an exporter with MPI.
How to register
You must register using our online form.
AP1 exporter registration form
You'll need to pay a registration fee each year. If you don't register as an exporter, you can use the services of an exporter who is already registered.
Questions?
If you have questions about registering as an exporter, email approvals@mpi.govt.nz
Our list of registered exporters
When your application has been processed and approved by MPI, you will be added to our list of registered exporters. This list is available to the public.
Register of animal product exporters
If you're exporting organic livestock feed
If you want to export organic livestock feed under the Official Organic Assurance Programme (OOAP), you must be registered as both an organics exporter and an animal products exporter. You need to register as an animal products exporter first.
Register for AP e-cert, if needed
You'll need to use AP E-cert if your livestock feed contains animal products.
About AP E-cert
Animal Products (AP) E-cert is the system MPI uses to issue official government assurances under the Animal Products Act. We issue the official assurance as an export certificate.
At each step of the production process, operators need to add information to AP E-cert. At the end of the process, the exporter uses AP E-cert to apply for the export certificate.
You need to use AP E-cert if:
- your destination market requires an export certificate, or
- product traceability is required for export.
AP E-cert is password-protected and new exporters and operators need to apply for access.
How to register
To use AP E-cert, your company must be either:
- a registered exporter under the Animal Products Act 1999
- a business with a registered risk management programme (RMP) or regulated control scheme (RCS)
- an export-approved premises (EAP), or
- an agent acting for another company that is registered as one of the above.
You need to get company access first, then add access for individuals.
Apply for export certification, if needed
How to apply for different types of export certification.
Livestock feed containing animal products
If your destination market requires an export certificate, you need to apply for it through AP E-cert. We explain how to register for AP E-cert in the previous step.
Log in
When you're registered, you can log in and use the system.
Request approval of your certificate
Once your application has been raised in AP E-cert, email your nearest MPI signing office to arrange approval.
Find contact details for MPI signing offices
Getting your export certificate
When MPI is satisfied that your livestock feed complies with all requirements and standards, we issue the export certificate through AP E-cert.
Some markets may require a printed export certificate. Check your destination country’s OMAR and the Official Assurance Requirements Notice to work out what you need.
Animal Products Notice: Official Assurance Requirements [PDF, 401 KB]
Plant-based livestock feed
You may need to apply for a 'phytosanitary certificate' if it is required by your destination market.
Find out how to get your phytosanitary certificate
ACVM certification
Some overseas markets require a 'certificate of compliance' for livestock feed.
