Exporting Cervine Semen to Canada

1 October 2009

cersemec.can

Ref: AE-CA08L

1. Statutory authority

Pursuant to section 60 of the Animal Products Act 1999:

(i) I notify the following overseas market access requirements, entitled cervine semen to Canada

(ii) Revoke OMAR B CERSEMEC.CAN 08.08.08.

This notice takes effect from date of signing.

Dated at Wellington on this 9^th day of November 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. Canada Requirements

Cervine semen exported from New Zealand to Canada must comply with the import requirements of Canada listed in this notice as follows:

2.1 An Import Permit is required for the exportation of cervine semen to Canada.

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

2.2.1 New Zealand is free of foot-and-mouth disease, bluetongue, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, rinderpest, vesicular stomatitis, brucellosis (Brucella abortus & B. melitensis), epizootic haemorrhagic disease of deer, and the transmissible spongiform encephalopathy known as chronic wasting disease.

2.2.2 Vaccination against these diseases is not permitted.

2.2.3 The donor animal(s) have been continuously resident in New Zealand for a minimum of six (6) months immediately prior to the collection of semen for export.

2.2.4 Immediately prior to semen collection each donor animal was part of a deer herd which is free of bovine tuberculosis and has a classification of ‘Clear 2’ or higher, according to the National Pest Management Strategy (NPMS) for bovine tuberculosis in New Zealand.

2.2.5 During the five (5) years immediately prior to collection, any premise on which the donor animal(s) have resided has been free from clinical or epidemiological evidence of chronic wasting disease for the five (5) years prior to movement off the premises and/or collection of the donor animal(s). The donor animal(s) are not the progeny of a sire or dam suspected or known to be affected with chronic wasting disease.

2.2.6 At the time of entry of the donor animal(s) into isolation the herd of origin was not subject to any restriction/quarantine measures pertaining to animal diseases.

2.2.7 The donor animal(s) were isolated for a minimum period of thirty (30) days prior to entering the semen collection centre, and during this time were subjected to veterinary inspection and remained free from the clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease.

2.2.8 The donor animal(s) were tested as free of bovine tuberculosis, using a test approved for deer by the NPMS for bovine tuberculosis in New Zealand, with negative results in each case. Test used and date of test.

2.2.9 The donor animal(s) were continuously resident on the approved semen collection centre for a minimum of thirty (30) days immediately preceding collection of semen for export, and during this time were subjected to veterinary inspection and remained free from the clinical signs of infectious disease.

2.2.10 The donor animal(s) or their semen was tested for herpes viruses of cervidae as follow:

2.2.10.1 either during the twenty-one (21) days immediately prior to the collection of semen for export, each donor stag was tested, with a negative result, using a virus neutralisation test

2.2.10.2 or samples of pooled semen from all ejaculates in this consignment were subjected to a virus isolation test on tissue culture, with negative results. Date of test.

(To be deleted as appropriate)

2.2.11 The facilities at which the semen for export was collected, processed and stored are approved by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

2.2.12 The semen was collected and processed at a facility under the supervision of a veterinarian approved by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

2.2.13 The facilities at which the semen for export was collected, processed and stored were not subject to any restriction/quarantine measures pertaining to animal diseases.

2.2.14 Both the donor animal(s) and the semen, when held in isolation and at the semen collection centre, did not come into contact with any animals, products, or equipment of a lesser heath status.

2.2.15 The semen presented for export was collected, processed and stored in a hygienic manner that has prevented contamination with pathogenic micro-organisms. All material with animal ingredients used in the processing of the semen was sourced and processed to prevent introduction of pathogenic organisms. All equipment used to collect, handle, process, freeze, and store the semen was either new, or sterilised prior to use.

2.2.16 The semen for export was extended with a diluent containing one of the combinations of antibiotics listed below. Each ml of the extended semen has a final concentration of antibiotics not less than specified below:

Option 1: 500 μg per ml streptomycin
500 IU per ml penicillin
150 μg per ml lincomycin
300 μg per ml spectinomycin

Immediately after the addition of the extender, the semen was held at a temperature of not less than 5° Celsius / 41° Fahrenheit (for semen to be frozen) or 15° Celsius (for fresh semen) for at least 45 minutes

Option 2: 50 μg per ml tylosin
250 μg per ml gentomycin
150 μg per ml lincomycin
300 μg per ml spectinomycin

The undiluted semen was in contact with the antibiotic for not less than three (3) minutes. The semen and the non-glycerol fraction of the diluent were held at a temperature of not less than 5° Celsius / 41° Fahrenheit for at least two (2) hours

Option 3: An alternative combination of antibiotics, demonstrated to have an equivalent effect, to be listed on the export certificate.

(Note: To be deleted whichever options are not applicable. If option 3 is applicable, the alternative combination of antibiotics must be described in full, including final concentrations, holding time, and temperatures prior to cryo-preservation of the semen).

2.2.17 Straws or ampoules contain semen from only one donor. The cryogenic or cooling agent used in the process was not used in association with any other product of animal origin. The straws or ampoules were sealed at the time of freezing.

2.2.18 The frozen germplasm for importation into Canada was stored in sterile ampoules, straws, or receptacles in sanitised liquid nitrogen containers at an approved storage place for a minimum period of thirty (30) days prior to export.

2.2.19 Semen for importation into Canada is in individual receptacles or straws, each marked with the collection date, breed and identity of the donor, and the identity of the semen collection centre.

2.2.20 Prior to export, an Official Veterinarian sealed the export container using an official Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s seal bearing the number or mark. The number or mark of the seal 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

This OMAR is based on the export certificate for cervine semen to Canada dated 1 October 2009.

Additional Information on OMAR Notification: CERSEMEC.CAN 01.10.09

1. This OMAR replaces the one dated 8 August 2008. The only changes made were: (i) amendment of clause 1.1 regarding ‘country disease freedom’; and (ii) editorial. The export certificate was approved by CFIA in an email dated 4 November 2009.

2. An Import Permit is required prior to importing semen into Canada. Applications for permits should be made to the Area Office of the CFIA. The original permit for the consignment must be provided for inspection at the first port of entry or to a CFIA Import Service Centre.

3. With regards to section II of the export certificate: Information concerning the semen, the identification markings or labelling on straws must include the date of semen collection, the breed and identity of the donor sire, and the identity of the semen collection centre.

4. In the case of semen collected prior to 1 January 1999, CFIA would be prepared to issue permits with derogations to the specific antibiotic requirements now detailed in this export certificate. Exporters are to specify to CFIA officers when applying for an Import Permit that this derogation is needed.

5. Should the results of any test be other than negative, the isolation period for the remaining animals shall not be considered to have commenced until the non test negative animal was removed from the isolation facility.

6. The semen must be shipped by the most direct route from the point of export to the address of destination in Canada. Trans-shipment through another country requires written authorisation from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

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'.