Exporting Ovine and Caprine Semen to Australia

12 June 2009

caosemec.aus

Ref: AE-AU11/24L

1. Statutory authority

Pursuant to section 60 of the Animal Products Act 1999:

(i) I notify the following overseas market access requirements, entitled ovine and caprine semen to Australia

(ii) Revoke OMAR B CAOSEMEC.AUS 09.04.09.

This notice takes effect from date of signing.

Dated at Wellington this 25^th day of June 2009.

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. Australia Requirements

Ovine and caprine semen 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 for the exportation of ovine and caprine semen to Australia.

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 The centre veterinarian who supervised the collection and processing of this semen is approved by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

2.2.2 The approved centre veterinarian is responsible for:

2.2.2.1 isolating the donor animal(s) from all other ruminants not of equivalent health status prior to semen collection for this consignment

2.2.2.2 supervising the isolation period

2.2.2.3 supervising the blood sampling of the donor animal(s), and collection and processing of the semen.

2.2.3 Each donor animal(s) resided only on properties where bovine tuberculosis has not been diagnosed in sheep or goats during the 3 years immediately prior to collection.

2.2.4 Each donor animal(s) showed no clinical signs of Johne’s disease during the collection period.

2.2.5 Each donor:

2.2.5.1 Either: originated from a flock accredited free of Brucella ovis infection

2.2.5.2 Or: gave a negative result to a CFT or an ELISA for Brucella ovis infection during the period between 14 days immediately prior to semen collection and export.

(To be deleted as appropriate)

2.2.6 At the time of semen collection, each donor animal(s) was free from quarantine restrictions.

2.2.7 During the 7-day period immediately prior to semen collection and during the period of semen collection, the donor animal(s) were isolated from sheep or goats not of an equivalent health status.

2.2.8.1 Either: On the day of the first collection of semen for this consignment and on the day of the last collection of semen for this consignment each donor was inspected by the centre veterinarian and found to be clinically healthy

2.2.8.2 Or: On the day of the first collection of semen for export to Australia and on the day of the last collection of semen for export to Australia each donor was inspected by the centre veterinarian and found to be clinically healthy (the period between inspections must not exceed 14 days).

(To be deleted as appropriate)

2.2.9 The semen in this consignment was collected, processed and stored in accordance with the relevant sections of the OIE Code for Collection and Processing of Bovine and Small Ruminant Semen.

2.2.10 The semen was identified and has been stored, in fresh liquid nitrogen, since the end of the collection period until export, under the supervision of the Official Veterinarian in a container(s) in which no biological material other than semen, embryos or ova of equivalent health status was held.

2.2.11 The container used for export was:

2.2.11.1 Either: a new shipper

2.2.11.2 Or: emptied and inspected, and any loose straws removed prior to loading. The shipper, including all surfaces contacting the straws, was disinfected. Disinfectant used and active ingredient. Date of disinfection.

(To be deleted as appropriate)

(AQIS accepts the following disinfectants: 2% available chlorine, Virkon at the manufacturer’s recommended rate, or irradiated at 50kGy)

2.2.12 Prior to export the transportation container, containing new liquid nitrogen, was sealed by an Official Veterinarian, using a seal that bears the marks to be recorded on the export certificate. Serial number of the transportation container to be recorded on the export certificate.

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 on the export certificate for ovine and caprine semen to Australia dated 12 June 2009.

Additional Information on OMAR Notification: CAOSEMEC.AUS 12.06.09

1. This OMAR replaces the one dated 9 April 2009 and has been updated to include both the name and address of the exporter and semen collection centre in separate clauses to account for the situation where these may differ.

2. Each consignment of semen must be accompanied by a valid Permit to Import Semen/Embryos into Australia obtained, prior to the export of the semen, from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) Office in the State/Territory of import.

3. The consignment must be shipped to the Australian importer care of AQIS.

4. Clause 2.2.8.2: only one examination will be required if all collections for a particular consignment take place on the same day (this has been agreed with AQIS).

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.'