Exporting Dogs and Cats to Israel

8 October 2009

domaniec.isr

Ref: AE-IL 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 Israel

(ii) Revoke OMAR B DOMANIEC.ISR 01.08.01.

This notice takes effect from date of signing.

Dated at Wellington on this 14^th day of October 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. Israel Requirements

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

2.1 An Import Permit (if applicable-refer to Additional Information page) is required to export dogs and cats to Israel.

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

2.2.3 No case of rabies has ever occurred in New Zealand.

2.2.4 The animal(s) has been vaccinated against rabies not more than a year and not less than 30 days prior to shipment. Date vaccinated. Valid date. Manufacturer and name of vaccine used. Batch number.

2.2.5 The animal(s) has been examined and found to be fit and healthy to travel, and free from infectious and contagious disease at the time of export.

2.3 The owner of the animals must declare that:

2.3.1 The animal(s) has been in his/her possession for at least 90 days prior to 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

This OMAR is based on the export certificate for dogs and cats to Israel dated 8 October 2009.

Additional Information on OMAR Notification: DOMANIEC.ISR– 08.10.09

1. This OMAR replaces the previous one dated 1 August 2001. It has been updated to comply with the current import requirements of Israel: clause 1 of the zoosanitary certificate has been amended from ‘one month prior to export’ to ‘30 days prior to export’ and clause 4 of the previous notes has been changed from ‘3 months’ to ‘4 months’ in the current notes. This export certificate is based on an Import Permit supplied by an exporter in June 2008.

Each export certificate may be used for up to two animals only. A veterinary Import Permit is required when:

a) Dogs and cats travel unaccompanied by their owners OR

b) There are more than two cats or dogs per consignment.

A written application for such a permit is to be presented with a payable cheque or credit card for the fees, by a person living in Israel, not less than 10 days before the planned date of departure of the animals. The application should be addressed to:

The Director of Veterinary Services
Import-Export Officer
P O Box 12
Bett Dagan 50250
ISRAEL

OR

Ramla Quarantine Station
PO Box 63
Ramla
ISRAEL

Fax 972-8-9229906 or 972-3-9605194

2. The Owner’s Declaration can only be completed when the owner is accompanying the animal(s). Where the Owner’s Declaration cannot be completed, the relevant text in the export certificate should be voided, and the Official Veterinarian must write, ‘Refer to clause 9 of the Import Permit’ below the voided text.

3. Dogs and cats are required to be microchipped prior to export. The microchip should be ISO 11784-11785 compatible.

4. A veterinary health certificate must be issued by an Official Veterinarian within 7 days prior to export.

5. Dogs and cats younger than 4 months old are not allowed entry into Israel.

6. Israel prohibits the importation of the following breeds and crosses of breeds: American Staffordshire bull terrier, bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Fila Brazileiro, rottweiler and pit bull terrier.

By way of derogation of the above mentioned, a dangerous dog can be imported to Israel if:

1. The owner has a valid Import Permit

2. The dog is neutered

3. The owner has owned the dog for at least 18 months, and

4. The owner signs a statutory declaration.

Section 61A of the Animal Products Act Amendments Act 2005 states that ‘The Crown is not liable, and nor is the Director-General or any employees of the Ministry liable, for an 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’.