Exporting Birds to Hong Kong

14 January 2010

biraviec1.hk

Ref: AE-HK 19L

1. Statutory authority

Pursuant to section 60 of the Animal Products Act 1999:

(i) I notify the following overseas market access requirements, entitled birds to Hong Kong.

This notice takes effect from date of signing.

Dated at Wellington this 2^nd day of February 2010.

Signed: Matthew Stone BVSc MACVSc MVS (Epidemiology)
Group Manager
Animal Imports and Exports
Border Standards Directorate
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand
(pursuant to delegated authority)

2. Hong Kong Requirements

Birds exported from New Zealand to Hong Kong must comply with the import requirements of Hong Kong listed in this notice as follows:

2.1 An Import Permit is required for the exportation of birds from New Zealand to Hong Kong.

2.2 An Official Veterinarian authorised by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry must certify, after due enquiry, the following:

2.2.1 New Zealand is free of highly pathogenic notifiable avian influenza, viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease (ICPI>0.2) and West Nile virus.

2.2.2 The bird(s) has not been kept at premises, or at a farm or other establishment where there has occurred any serological or virological evidence of H5 and H7 avian influenza virus infection within the 180 days immediately preceding the day on which this Zoosanitary Certificate is issued.

2.2.3 The bird(s) has been kept segregated from other birds for 14 days prior to the scheduled date of export, and have all remained clinically normal during this period.

2.2.4 For birds of the Psittaciformes Order only:

2.2.4.1 The bird(s) was kept under veterinary supervision for the 45 days prior to the scheduled date of shipment and were treated against chlamydiosis using doxycycline or chlortetracycline.

(To be deleted if not applicable)

2.2.5 During the pre-export isolation period, all birds, or a random sample of birds (the sampling rate must be in accordance with the table in the notes to ensure that there is a 95% confidence of detecting a 20% prevalence of disease in the colony) were subjected, with negative results, to a diagnostic test for H5 and H7 avian influenza virus, using:

either

2.2.5.1 a virology test (virus isolation: culture for H5 and H7 avian influenza), using cloacal swabs or fresh faecal samples. (This test must be carried out within 14 days prior to the scheduled date of export.)

or

2.2.5.2 a serology test, using the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test and H5 and H7 avian influenza antigens. (This test must be carried out within 5 days of the scheduled date of export.)

(To be deleted as appropriate)

2.2.6 All testing related to clause 2.2.5 was carried out at an officially approved laboratory.

2.2.7 The birds were inspected within the 5 days prior to the scheduled date of departure. At the time of inspection, they were healthy, showed no clinical signs of infectious or contagious diseases, were free from injuries and were fit to travel to Hong Kong.

2.2.8 For birds of the Psittaciformes Order only:

On the day of examination - within 5 days prior to export - the bird(s) showed no clinical signs of avian chlamydiosis, Pacheco’s disease (PD) and psittacine proventricular dilatation syndrome (PPDS)

(To be deleted if not applicable)

3. Definitions

For the purposes of this document:

Any term or expression that is defined in the Animal Products Act 1999 and used, but not defined in this document, has the same meaning as in this Act.

Explanatory note

These overseas market access requirements are based the export certificate for birds to Hong Kong dated 14 January 2010.

Additional Information on OMAR Notification: BIRAVIEC1.HK 14.01.10

1. This is a new OMAR based on the export certificate which is based on the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department ‘Permit Terms for Importation/Transhipment of Pet Birds’. The certificate was approved by Dr Grant W. Clarke of the Import and Export Division; Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department; Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; in an email dated 28 January 2010.

2. The Official Assurance should be dated not more than 5 days before the birds’ departure from New Zealand.

3. Birds (including poultry) should not be imported into Hong Kong unless a Special Permit to do so is obtained in advance from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

4. The Permit holder must notify the Import & Export Officer during office hours (Tel: 21821001/Fax: 27698600) at least two working days in advance of the anticipated time of arrival. Failure to do so may result in delay of the inspection and release of the birds.

5. The granting of a Special Permit cannot be construed as a waiver by the Licensing Authority to import scheduled animals and birds listed under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, Cap. 586.

6. The sampling protocol for birds in a colony or group should be under the supervision of an Official Veterinarian, and is as follows:

6.1 The total number of samples to be collected is according to the size of the colony or group of birds (based on a 95% confidence and 20% prevalence):

6.2 All samples have been selected randomly.

7. The original version of the laboratory results (relating to clause 4.1) must accompany the birds for export to Hong Kong.

8. The birds must be transported by the fastest and most direct route from the exporting country to Hong Kong as MANIFEST CARGO, by air.

9. The birds must be carried and caged (with labels) in accordance with the current Live Animals Regulations of IATA (International Air Transport Association), and in such a way as to ensure humane management at all times.

10. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance, Cap. 169, the Public Health (Animals & Birds) Ordinance, Cap. 139, the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, Cap. 586, and all other relevant legislation must be fully complied with.

11. It is the exporter’s responsibility to make enquiries whether a CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species) Permit is needed. The Department of Conservation (DOC) should be contacted for this.

12. All imported birds upon arrival will be directed to the Airport Animal Hostel for custody and sample taking by authorised officers of AFCD. The samples will be arranged for testing against the avian influenza virus. The laboratory test will take one to several days during which the birds will remain under custody at the Airport Animal Hostel Subject to the terms in the special permit being fully complied with, the birds can be released provided that the test result is satisfactory and hostel fees have been paid (if applicable).

13. In the event of the birds being directed to the AFCD Airport Animal Hostel under official escort, the Permit holder (or agent) will be required to provide transport for the transfer to and from the said hostel, and to pay the hostel accommodation fees. Without prejudice to other terms of this permit, payment of these fees must be effected before release can be obtained.

14. Upon arrival in Hong Kong the final destination and whereabouts of birds imported for wholesale to other licensed animal traders must be declared in the form Live Pet Birds Importation Record (copies of the form may be obtained from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department).

15. Failure to comply with the terms stipulated in the Import Permit may result in the birds being seized and forfeited under Section 8 of Public Health (Animals and Birds) Ordinance, Cap. 139, and the permit holder /owner may be prosecuted.

Section 61.A of the Animal Products Amendments Act 2005 states that 'The Crown is not liable, and nor is the Director-General or any employee of the Ministry liable, for any loss arising through the refusal or failure of the relevant authority of an overseas market to admit export animal material or animal product to that market'.