Exporting Hatching Eggs (domestic hens) to Australia

14 January 2010

birvheec.aus

Ref: AE-AU-19L
Date: 14 January 2010

1. Statutory authority

Pursuant to section 60 of the Animal Products Act 1999:

(i) I notify the following overseas market access requirements, entitled hatching eggs (domestic hens) to Australia

(ii) Revoke OMAR B BIRVHEEC.AUS 05.05.09.

This notice takes effect from date of signing.

Dated at Wellington this 29^th day of January 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. Australian Requirements

Hatching eggs (domestic hens) exported from New Zealand to Australia must comply with the import requirements of Australia listed in this notice as follows:

2.1 An Import Permit is required to export hatching eggs (domestic hens) to Australia.

2.2 An Official Veterinarian authorised by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry must certify, after due enquiry, the following (pre-collection and collection of egg requirements and post collection):

2.2.1 The owner or manager (name to be recorded on the export certificate) being the owner/manager (to be deleted whichever not applicable) of the source flock from which the hatching eggs to be exported to Australia were derived, must declare that:

2.2.1.1 The source flock has not been vaccinated against avian influenza.

2.2.1.2 The source flock has not been vaccinated against Newcastle disease.

2.2.1.3 The source flock has not been vaccinated against avian pneumovirus [turkey rhinotracheitis (TRT)].

2.2.1.4 The vaccination history of the source flock to be recorded on the export certificate. Disease vaccinated, date (s) of vaccination and type of vaccine used.

2.2.1.5 The eggs have been laid by a source flock established and maintained as an all-in all-out flock, the youngest birds not being less than 35 weeks old when eggs were collected.

2.2.2 A government-approved veterinarian of New Zealand, must certify, in relation to the consignment of the hatching eggs described in the export certificate, that:

2.2.2.1 The source flock, from which the eggs for export to Australia were derived, has been under his/her supervision for the 90 days immediately preceding the collection of eggs for this consignment and during collection, and, after due enquiry, he/she has no reason to doubt the owner’s/manager’s declaration as above.

2.2.2.2 The source flock is housed in secure rodent-proof and bird-proof buildings and is isolated from all commercial poultry by a radius of 400m, unless these animals are shown by testing to be of the same health status as the source flock. All buildings containing feed and feeding equipment for the source flock are also bird-proofed.

2.2.2.3 All water supplied to the source flock is secure against contamination by wild birds.

2.2.2.4 A biosecurity programme has been in place during the entire period under his/her supervision to minimise the introduction of disease. This included the use of dedicated staff for the source flock, movement control and disinfection of vehicles common to several facilities, such as those for waste removal, feed delivery, and service personnel vehicles. After due enquiry, he/she is satisfied that there has been no epidemiological contact between the source flock and any premises on which clinical Newcastle disease or avian influenza has occurred from 90 days prior to the commencement of egg collection until despatch of this consignment.

2.2.2.5 The source flock has been free from clinical signs of the following diseases for the 90-day period prior to collection of the eggs and during egg collection for export to Australia, and has not come in contact with any birds showing evidence of the following diseases:

• avian influenza
• Newcastle disease;
• avian paramyxovirus type 2;
• avian paramyxovirus type 3;
• fowl typhoid (Salmonella Gallinarum);
• Pullorum disease (Salmonella Pullorum);
• Salmonella Enteritidis infection;
• Arizona disease (Salmonella Arizona);
• avian pneumovirus [turkey rhinotracheitis (TRT)];
• infectious bursal disease;
• Mycoplasma iowae infection;
• Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale infection;
• runting/stunting syndrome.

2.2.2.6 Avian influenza and paramyxovirus testing:

2.2.2.6.1 Not more than 21 days before the first day of collection of the eggs for export to Australia, a sample of the parent flock was tested serologically for freedom from the following pathogens:

• influenza virus type A;
• avian paramyxovirus type 3;
• avian paramyxovirus type 2.

2.2.2.7 Salmonella serology:

2.2.2.7.1 Not more than 21 days before the first day of collection of eggs for export to Australia, a sample of the parent flock was tested serologically for freedom of Salmonella Gallinarum and S. Enteritidis. All birds that give a positive or suspicious serological result for S. Gallinarum and S. Enteritidis were killed and their organs cultured for identification of these Salmonella species. The results of the culture(s) and identifications are attached with the export certificate, and none of these species were identified.

The source flock was not tested for S. Pullorum because New Zealand is officially free of S. Pullorum.

2.2.2.7.2 Salmonella Arizona:

2.2.2.7.2.1 Not more than 21 days before the first day of collection of the eggs for export to Australia, the source flock was determined to be free of infection with S. Arizona by culture and isolation from shed litter. The total number of samples cultured to be recorded on the export certificate.

2.2.2.8 Avian pneumovirus [turkey viral rhinotracheitis (TRT)]

2.2.2.8.1 The source flock was not vaccinated against avian pneumovirus and was tested for avian pneumovirus with negative results. Number of samples tested and test used to be recorded on the export certificate.

2.2.2.9 All tests were carried out in a government laboratory. The tests were either OIE-approved tests, or tests approved by AQIS. Test results and total number of birds in the source flock to be shown in the table as specified in the export certificate.

2.2.2.10 The laboratory, test used, number of tests and number of positive results to be recorded in the export certificate in a table against each disease listed above.

2.2.2.11 The eggs for export to Australia were collected over a period of no more than fourteen (14) days. The eggs for export to Australia were collected separately to floor and dirty eggs. No floor or dirty eggs are included in this consignment of eggs for export to Australia.

2.2.2.12 The eggs in this consignment were clean, and were not washed or cleaned after collection.

2.2.2.13 After collection, the eggs in this consignment were stacked on new egg flats to permit air circulation and, within 8 hours of lay, were:

2.2.2.13.1 either fumigated with formaldehyde gas in accordance with the OIE recommendations for the sanitation of hatching eggs and hatchery equipment

2.2.2.13.1.2 or disinfected using an agent approved by AQIS (for example Virkon, Bio-sentry Oxy-RTU or an equivalent).

(To be deleted as appropriate)

2.2.2.14 The eggs in this consignment were packed in the room in which they were fumigated/disinfected. The eggs were packed after fumigation/disinfection and cooling to storage temperature into new crates with new, unused separators, and sealed in air tight egg boxes for transport to Australia. The eggs were handled and packed in a manner to avoid re-contamination. The eggs were placed in plastic bags or the approved solid sided containers were lined with plastic to prevent any leakage if damage to the eggs occurs during transport. The sealed boxes were held in isolation from any other birds and eggs until dispatch.

2.2.3 A government-approved veterinarian of New Zealand, must certify, in relation to the consignment of hatching eggs identified on the export certificate, that:

2.2.3.1 Avian Influenza:

2.2.3.1.1 New Zealand is free of highly pathogenic notifiable influenza type A infection in commercial poultry, game birds and pet birds

and

2.2.3.1.2 no case of clinical avian influenza has occurred in poultry at the premises of origin, or within a radius of 40 km thereof, during the period commencing 21 days prior to the start of collection of eggs for this consignment until today.

2.2.3.2 Newcastle disease:

2.2.3.2.1 New Zealand is free of Newcastle disease.

2.2.3.3 New Zealand is free of Salmonella Pullorum.

2.2.3.4 The government veterinarian authorised by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has no reason to doubt the certification of the government-approved veterinarian.

2.2.4 A government-approved veterinarian of New Zealand, must certify, in relation to the consignment of hatching eggs identified on the export certificate, that:

2.2.4.1 The source flock, from which the eggs were derived, has been under my supervision for the 21 days since the last day of collection of the eggs exported to Australia.

2.2.4.2 Avian Influenza:

2.2.4.2.1 Not less than 14 days and not more than 21 days after the last day of collection of eggs for export to Australia, a sample of the parent flock was tested serologically for freedom of influenza virus type A. Total number of birds in the source flock and total number of birds tested to be recorded on the export certificate.

2.2.4.3 Newcastle Disease:

2.2.4.3.1 Post-egg-collection testing for Newcastle disease was not performed because New Zealand is officially free of Newcastle disease.

2.2.4.4 All tests were carried out in a government laboratory. The tests were either OIE-approved tests, or tests approved by AQIS. Results of post-egg-collection testing are to be shown in the table specified in the export certificate.

2.2.4.5 Any clinical disease in the source flock or abnormal drop in quantity, quality or fertility/hatchability of the eggs produced by the source flock has been investigated, and the laboratory reports to be attached to the export certificate.

2.2.5 A government-approved veterinarian of New Zealand, must certify, in relation to the consignment of hatching eggs identified on the export certificate, that during the time from the last collection of eggs for export to Australia to the completion of testing for the export certificate:

2.2.5.1 New Zealand remained officially free of highly pathogenic notifiable avian influenza.

2.2.5.2 Newcastle disease has not been reported in the source flock premises or within a radius of 40 km of its location.

2.2.5.3 After due enquiry, he/she is satisfied that the source flock has remained closed. Any clinical evidence of disease has been investigated and the results indicate that the diseases specified above have not occurred in the source flock.

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

This OMAR is based on the export requirements provided in the export certificate dated 14 January 2010.

Additional Information on OMAR Notification: BIRVHEEC.AUS 14.01.10

1. The notes to this OMAR were edited in May 2011 to include guidance for the introduction of the approval system of hatcheries under the OAP (Note 2).

2. This export certificate replaces the one dated 5 May 2009. Due to New Zealand’s country freedom status, Andrew Cupit, Acting General Manager of Biosecurity Australia, allowed the removal of Newcastle and Salmonella Pullorum testing in the source flock. Veterinary Certificate 1, Part B, Clause 2, has also been updated to replace the word ‘poultry’ with ‘commercial poultry’. Minor layout and editorial changes were also made.

3. The 5 May 2009 version of the export certificate replaces the one of 22 January 2009. The only changes that were made were: (i) the deletion of first part of clause 7 in Part B regarding flock status and disease testing for Salmonella serology that the eggs for export were derived from a flock held since hatching in premises which are accredited free of Salmonella Pullorum, S. Gallinarum and S. Enteritidis under a government accreditation scheme approved by AQIS, and (ii) editorial. This export certificate is based on the import conditions “PC0353 Conditions for the importation of fertile eggs (domestic hen) where the source flock has not been vaccinated against Newcastle disease” provided by AQIS on 19th January 2009.

4. Veterinary Certificate 1‘Part B of the export certificate. Flock status and disease testing. Certification by the government-approved Veterinarian supervising the source flock facility’ and Veterinary Certificate 2 ‘Part A. Flock status and disease testing. Certification by the government-approved Veterinarian’, the poultry veterinarian approved under the OAP meets the requirement of ‘government-approved Veterinarian’.

5. For veterinary certificate 1, part B, clause 6, the pre-export sample size for serological testing of influenza virus type A, paramyxovirus 3 in the source flock must be sufficient to attain 99% confidence of detecting disease at a level of 5% prevalence in the source flock. The pre-export sample size for testing for avian paramyxovirus 2 must be sufficient to attain 99% confidence of detecting disease at a level of 0.5% prevalence in the source flock. (Refer to Table 1 below).

6. For veterinary certificate 1, part B, clause 7, the source flock pre-export sample size tested for, Salmonella Gallinarum and S. Enteritidis, must be of a sufficient size to give a 99% confidence of detecting the disease if there was 0.5% disease prevalence in the source flock. (Refer to Table 1 below).

7. For veterinary certificate 1, part B, clause 8, the source flock pre-export sample size for testing for Salmonella Arizona must be 20 samples, representative of the entire source flock. Each sample must be a composite sample of 3 floor and 2 nest litter samples: i.e. a total of 60 floor locations and 40 nest box locations.

8. For veterinary certificate 1, part B, clause 9, the source flock pre-export sample size tested for avian pneumovirus must be of a sufficient size to give a 99% confidence of detecting the disease if there was 0.5% disease prevalence in the source flock. (Refer to Table 1 below).

9. The veterinary certificate 2 relates to the post-collection observation, production records and disease status of the source flock and must be signed by the government-approved veterinarian (Recognised Person) and the government veterinarian (Authorised Person). The completed certificate should be sent to the AQIS officer, supervising the Australian quarantine hatching facility, as soon as possible after the completion of the post-egg-collection observation period and test results are available.

10. For veterinary certificate 2, part A, clause 2, the source flock sample for avian influenza testing after egg collection must be of sufficient size to give a 99% confidence of detecting the disease if there was a 5% disease prevalence in the source flock. (Refer to Table 1 below).

11. The consignment will undergo post-arrival quarantine, testing and treatment, as required by AQIS.

12. The OIE-approved tests for the importation of fertile eggs are as follows:

PATHOGEN/DISEASE	TESTS
infectious bursal disease virus	AGID, VN, ELISA
influenza type A	ELISA, AGID
avian paramyxovirus type 2 and 3	HIT
Salmonella Gallinarum	RSAT
Salmonella Enteritidis	RSAT
avian pneumovirus	ELISA.

13. Table 1. Sample size for 99% confidence in detecting disease at 0.5% and 5% prevalence

Population size	Sample size to detect 0.5 % prevalence	Sample size to detect 5% prevalence
10	10	10
20	20	20
30	30	30
40	30	36
50	50	42
60	60	47
70	70	51
80	80	54
90	90	57
100	100	59
120	120	63
140	140	67
160	160	69
180	179	71
200	198	73
250	244	76
300	286	78
350	325	80
400	360	81
450	392	82
500	421	83
600	470	84
700	512	85
800	546	85
900	576	86
1000	601	86
1200	642	87
1400	674	87
1600	699	88
1800	720	88
2000	737	88
3000	792	89
4000	821	89
5000	840	89
6000	852	90
7000	861	90
8000	868	90
9000	874	90
10000	878	90
μ	919	90

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.'