Ferrets (laboratory) to Singapore

7 October 2010

feraniec.sin

Ref:  AE-SG-20L

1.  Statutory authority

Pursuant to section 60 of the Animal Products Act 1999:

(i)  I notify the following overseas market access requirements, entitled ferrets (laboratory) to Singapore.

This notice takes effect from date of signing.

Dated at Wellington on this 26th day of October 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.  Singaporean requirements

Ferrets (laboratory) exported from New Zealand to Singapore must comply with the import requirements of Singapore listed in this notice as follows:

2.1  An Import Permit is required for the exportation of ferrets (laboratory) from New Zealand to Singapore.

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

2.2.1  New Zealand is free from rabies and tularaemia.

2.2.2  The ferrets were born and bred in a breeding facility approved for the import of such animals by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) and have been continually resident since birth in that facility.

2.2.3  No case of Nipah disease, leptospirosis, tuberculosis, botulism, canine distemper, or any disease notifiable to the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, has occurred in the facility for the last twelve (12) months prior to export.

2.2.4  The ferrets have not been inoculated with any micro-organisms nor been in contact with animals that have been inoculated with any micro-organisms.

2.2.5  The ferrets have been treated for internal and external parasites using effective medication. Active ingredient(s) and dose rate to be recorded on the export certificate.

2.2.6  The animals have been examined within forty-eight (48) hours of the scheduled date of export and found to be healthy and free from any clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease, and external parasites at the time of 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 new export certificate for ferrets (laboratory) to Singapore, dated 7 October 2010.

Additional Information on OMAR Notification: FERANIEC.SIN 07.10.10

1.  This is a new export certificate based on the Singapore Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority ‘Veterinary Conditions for the Importation of Laboratory Animals (3/3) – Ferrets (1/1)’. 

2.  An Import Permit is required and must be applied for at least thirty (30) days prior to the arrival of the animals. An online application can be submitted through AVA’s website:

http://www.ava.gov.sg/Services/LicensesPermitsAndCerts/Permit_Import_Export_Transship_Animals_Birds_Eggs_Biologics.htm

The application must be submitted together with a signed declaration by the importer stating that:
(i)  the animals will not be released following use at the laboratory facility and will be disposed of from the facility
(ii) any suspected outbreak of disease will be reported to the AVA immediately and the laboratory facility has a plan to contain an animal disease outbreak.

3.  The export certificate must be dated within seven (7) days of import.

4.  The animals must be derived from approved breeding facilities; facilities which have exported to Singapore in the past two (2) years are considered approved. Otherwise approval of the facility must be sought from AVA before applying for an import permit by supplying detail technical information of the breeding facility e.g. name, address, and location of facility, type and population of animals in the facility, sanitation and hygiene, management practice, vaccination regime, diseases reported in the past year.

5.  Clause 2.2.5 – the following medications are considered effective: pyrantel, praziquantel, fenbendazole, ivermectin, fipronil and/or permethrins.

6.  Exporters must ensure they comply with the section 52 and/or 53 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 for Unwanted Organisms.

7.  The importer or agent must contact the AVA Quarantine Office as stated in the Import Permit at least five (5) working days prior to the arrival of the animals.

8.  Animals must be transported in crates or boxes conforming to IATA guidelines.

9.  On arrival at the port of disembarkation in Singapore, the animals and documents (Import Permit, Veterinary Health Certificate) must be presented to and examined by an authorised Veterinary Officer. If the consignment of animals is found to be healthy and documents are in order, the animals shall be released to the importer.

10.  Upon arrival, the animals must be quarantined for a period of at least thirty (30) days in a quarantine facility approved by AVA. During the period of post-arrival quarantine, the animals may be subjected to any testing prescribed by AVA at the importer’s expense. Animals found to be infected with any diseases of concern may be destroyed at the discretion of the Director-General of Agri-Food and Veterinary Services.

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.'