Exporting Canine and Feline Semen to Australia

30 August 2010

domsemec.aus

Ref:  AE-AU-09L

1.  Statutory authority

Pursuant to section 60 of the Animal Products Act 1999:

(i)  I notify the following overseas market access requirements, entitled canine and feline semen from New Zealand to Australia

(ii)  Revoke OMAR B DOMSEMEC.AUS 25.08.10

This notice takes effect from date of signing.

Dated at Wellington this 2nd day of September 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.  Australia requirements

Canine and feline 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 export of canine and feline semen to Australia.

2.2  A registered veterinarian approved by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to certify cats and dogs to Australia must certify, after due enquiry, the following:

2.2.1  New Zealand is free from rabies.

2.2.2  For dogs only, canine brucellosis (Brucella canis) and leptospirosis (Leptospira canicola) have not been confirmed in New Zealand during the 12 months immediately preceding the date of collection of semen.

2.2.3  He/she is satisfied by veterinary or council registration records that the donor was resident in New Zealand and not under any quarantine restriction at the time of collection.

2.2.4  The donor was examined by a registered veterinarian approved to certify cats and dogs to Australia on the day of semen collection, and found to be healthy and free from evidence of venereal diseases. Date of examination and semen collection.

2.2.5  At the time of collection, each semen container was permanently marked with the donor name and breed, date of collection and name of collection centre. Number of straws/container. Identification of straws/container.

2.2.6  Reproductive material suitable for importation into Australia has been identified and stored in:

2.2.6.1  For unfrozen semen: a chilled transport container which was:

2.2.6.1.1  EITHER new

2.2.6.1.2  OR disinfected using an approved active ingredient. Date disinfected

(To be deleted as appropriate)

2.2.6.2  For frozen semen:

2.2.6.2.1.1  EITHER a new shipper

2.2.6.2.1.2  OR prior to loading, the shipper was emptied and inspected and any loose straws removed. The shipper, including all surfaces contacting the straws was disinfected. Name of disinfectant.

2.2.6.2.2  only new liquid nitrogen has been added to the tank.

(To be deleted as appropriate)

2.2.7  An approved veterinarian collected or supervised the collection of the semen for export from the aforementioned donor. The semen was stored under supervision of an approved veterinarian until sealed for export with a tamper evident seal bearing the markings as 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 canine and feline semen to Australia dated 30 August 2010.

Additional Information on OMAR Notification: DOMSEMEC.AUS 30.08.10

1.  A valid Permit to Import Quarantine Material into Australia must be obtained, prior to the export of the semen, from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS).

2.  This OMAR replaces that dated 25 August 2010.

3.  Advance notice of the intended import must be given to the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service at the port of entry at least 72 hours prior to the expected time of arrival, giving the flight number/ship number and arrival time.

4.  Each consignment must be accompanied by:
-  an AQIS import permit; and
-  an export certificate completed by a registered veterinarian approved by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to certify cats and dogs to Australia.

5.  There must be separate export certificate for each donor, and all conditions of this export certification must be met.

6.  Donors must have been resident in New Zealand and not under any quarantine restrictions at the time of collection.

7.  A registered veterinarian approved by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to certify cats and dogs to Australia must examine the donor on the date of semen collection and seal the container. The number of this seal must be recorded.

8.  The MAF registration number is the registration number of the registered veterinarian approved by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to certify cats and dogs being exported to Australia.

9.  Dry shippers used for the transport of semen must be either new, or disinfected using one of the products or procedures accepted by AQIS (2% available chlorine, 2% Virkon, or irradiation at 50kGy).

10.  If frozen semen is shipped, only new liquid nitrogen may be added to the tank prior to loading.

11.  The exporter must ship the consignment to the Australian importer care of AQIS in the state of import.

12.  In the event of semen arriving in Australia without the correct certification, or in any other way not meeting these conditions, the semen may be detained in quarantine, re-exported at the importer's expense or destroyed without recompense.

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'.