Exporting Dogs and Cats To Fiji

12 June 2009

domaniec.fij

Ref: AE-FJ 09L

1. Statutory authority

Pursuant to section 60 of the Animal Products Act 1999:

i) I notify the following overseas market access requirements, entitled dogs and cats to Fiji.

ii) Revoke DOMANIEC.FIJ - OMAR 02.11.06.

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 Group
Border Standards Directorate
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand
(pursuant to delegated authority)

2. Fiji Requirements

Dogs and cats exported from New Zealand to Fiji must comply with the import requirements of Fiji listed in this notice as follows:

2.1 An Import Permit is required for the exportation of dogs and cats to Fiji.

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

2.2.1 New Zealand is free of rabies, and no case of indigenously acquired rabies has been reported in humans or any other animal species during the past 2 years.

2.2.2 There is no reason to doubt the information supplied in the registered veterinarian’s declaration.

2.2.3 The animal(s) was placed in a container that meets IATA standards. The container is fastened with an official seal bearing the number or marks. The number or marks to be recorded on the export certificate.

2.3 A Registered Veterinary Surgeon in New Zealand must certify the following:

2.3.1 The animal(s) is identified with an implanted transponder/microchip. Number and site of implantation to be recorded on the export certificate.

2.3.2 After due inquiry and physical examination, he/she is satisfied that the animal will not be more than 42 days pregnant or suckling young at the scheduled date of shipment.

2.3.3 In the case of dogs:

2.3.3.1 After due inquiry and physical examination, he/she is satisfied that the dog will be more than 4 months old at the scheduled date of shipment.

2.3.3.2 The dog(s) has been vaccinated against canine distemper, canine parvovirus, infectious canine hepatitis and parainfluenza virus at least 30 days and not more than 12 months prior to the scheduled date of export to Fiji. Vaccination certificate to be attached. Date of vaccination to be recorded.

2.3.3.3 The dog(s) has been tested, with a negative result, for Leptospira interrogans var canicola infection by the serum agglutination test on a sample collected within 30 days prior to the scheduled date of export. Laboratory result to be attached. Date tested.

2.3.4 In the case of cats:

2.3.4.1 The cat(s) has been vaccinated against feline enteritis, feline rhinotracheitis and feline calicivirus at least 30 days and not more than 12 months prior to the scheduled date of export to Fiji. Date of vaccination to be recorded.

2.3.5 For dogs and cats:

2.3.5.1 Each animal was treated twice with an anthelmintic effective against internal parasites at the recommended dose rate, 14 days apart, with the second dose being within 48 hours of the scheduled date of departure. Dates of treatments of first and second dose. Active ingredient and dosage used.

2.3.5.2 Within 4 days of the scheduled date of shipment, each animal(s) was treated with an insecticide which is effective against ticks, lice and fleas. Date of treatment. Active ingredient and dosage used.

2.3.6 Within 48 hours prior to export, he/she examined the animal(s) and found them to be free of clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease, ectoparasites and they were fit to travel.

2.3.7 All immunological testing was carried out by a veterinary diagnostic laboratory approved by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

2.4 The Exporter must declare that:

2.4.1 The animal(s) listed on the export certificate has/have been continuously resident in New Zealand since birth or for at least six months prior to export and has/have not been resident in any quarantine facility or under any restrictions due to disease during the 30 days immediately preceding export.

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 dogs and cats to Fiji dated 12 June 2009.

Additional Information on OMAR Notification: DOMANIEC.FIJ 12.06.09

1. This OMAR replaces the previous one dated 2 November 2006 and has been updated to strike out the leptospirosis vaccination option as this particular vaccine is not available in New Zealand. Refer to point 5 below. Editorial changes were also made.

2. There are several inconsistencies between the Fijian import permit (which includes their mock Veterinary certificate), our export certificate and export requirements (OMAR). The inconsistencies are:

• the age limit is listed as 5 months in the Fijian import conditions and 4 months in the export certificate
• the Fijian import permit states that animals must fly directly to Suva. There are no direct flights to Suva from New Zealand for animal cargo at the moment. Fiji has advised that animals may travel by road from Nadi to Suva, as long as they are accompanied by a quarantine officer
• although New Zealand has previously negotiated that Brucella canis testing is not required, it remains in the import permit. New Zealand has confirmed with the Fijian authorities that Brucella canis testing is not required

   

• the Fijian import permit and export certificate state that vaccination against Leptospira interrogans var Canicola is required although the mock certificate does not specify the serovar. New Zealand has previously written to Fiji to explain that L. interrogans serovar Canicola is exotic in New Zealand and as a result, the vaccine is unavailable. The current vaccine used in New Zealand will stimulate an active immunity in dogs against both L. interrogans serovar Canicola and Icterohaemorrhagiae. New Zealand communicated this issue with the Fijian authorities but received no reply. The vaccination option has now been struck out to avoid it being incorrectly used.

2. Original vaccination certificates/laboratory report form or copies endorsed by the Official Veterinarian must be attached to the Veterinarian’s declaration.

3. Each page of the export certificate, the laboratory report and vaccination certificates must be stamped with an Official Stamp of the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and be endorsed by signature and date by the Official Veterinarian.

4. All certification and documentation must be original and complete; otherwise the animal(s) will either be re-shipped or destroyed upon arrival in Fiji, with all costs borne by the importer.

5. The Post-Entry Quarantine Facility for small animals is located in Koronivia (about 8 kms from Nausori Airport). Animal(s) travelling from Nadi to the facility by road must be accompanied by a quarantine officer.

6. The following breeds of dogs are prohibited from importation into Fiji:

Dogo Argentino, Fila Brazilero, Japanese Tosa, Pit Bull Terrier, including American Pit Bull Terrier, or crosses of any of the above.

7. During transport the animal(s) must fly directly to Fiji and not be transhipped at any other port. There must be no other animal(s) on the aircraft other than those bound for Fiji. The official seals on the containers the animal(s) are in must remain intact upon arrival in Fiji.

8. Animal(s) will be released after the minimum quarantine period only if they remain healthy throughout the post-entry quarantine period and the quarantine fees have been paid. The minimum quarantine period is seven days at the government Post-Entry Quarantine Station at Koronivia. For details of quarantine and other fees, please contact the Post-Entry Quarantine Station on Phone (679) 3400317; Fax (679) 3400408.

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'.