Exporting Horses to Japan

27 October 2010

horaniec.jpn

Ref:  AE-JP-13L

1. Statutory authority

Pursuant to section 60 of the Animal Products Act 1999:

(i)  I notify the following overseas market access requirements, entitled horses to Japan.

(ii)  Revoke OMAR B HORANIEC.JPN 25.11.08.

This notice takes effect from date of signing.

 

Dated at Wellington this 17th day of November 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.  Japan requirements

Horses exported from New Zealand to Japan must comply with the import regulations of Japan listed in this notice as follows.

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

2.1.1  New Zealand is free from the following diseases:

African horse sickness	anthrax
contagious equine metritis	dourine
equine encephalomyelitis (viral etiology)	equine encephalitis
equine influenza	equine piroplasmosis equine
salmonellosis (Salmonella Abortusequi)	epizootic lymphangitis
glanders	horse pox
rabies	vesicular stomatitis
West Nile fever

2.1.2  Premises of origin is taken to mean any premises on which the horse(s) for export were resident during the sixty (60) days prior to entering pre-export isolation.

2.1.3  During the  three (3) months prior to the commencement date of pre-export testing, there has been no clinical diagnosis or serologically positive case of the following diseases, or any other notifiable disease of animals of the equine species, on the premises of origin of the horse(s) for export:

equine rhinopneumonitis; equine viral arteritis; melioidosis; strangles and equine infectious anaemia.

2.1.4  During the three (3) months prior to pre-export testing, equine infectious anaemia (EIA) has not been detected or suspected in horses on the premises of origin.

2.1.5  With regard to West Nile fever, during the sixty (60) days immediately prior to entering pre-export isolation the horse(s) were resident in New Zealand, which has never reported a case of West Nile fever.

2.1.6.1  Either the horse(s) for export has not been vaccinated in the last year

2.1.6.2  Or the horse(s) for export has been vaccinated in the last year with the vaccines. Vaccine(s) used or date(s) vaccinated.

(To be deleted as applicable)

2.1.7  The horse(s) was subjected to an agar-gel immunodiffusion (Coggins) test for equine infectious anaemia (EIA) with negative results within thirty (30) days of the scheduled date of export. Date of sampling and date of testing.

2.1.8  For equine viral arteritis (EVA):

2.1.8.1 Either any horse(s) that has not been vaccinated against EVA was subjected to the virus neutralisation test for EVA with negative results within  thirty (30) days of the scheduled date of export (negative at a serum dilution of 1:4). Date of sampling. Date of testing

2.1.8.2  Or any horse(s) that is a stallion and that has been vaccinated against EVA must satisfy ALL the following requirements:

2.1.8.2.1  vaccination against EVA occurred immediately after testing negative to the virus neutralisation test for EVA (negative at a serum dilution of 1:4) (vaccination records must be officially verified, and all information recorded under clause 3.2 above). Date of pre-vaccination sampling. Date of testing

2.1.8.2.2  pre-export serological testing for EVA using the virus neutralisation test has occurred on three (3) occasions at approximately two(2)-week intervals. The first sample was taken on the premises of origin, the second and third during pre‑export isolation, and the third within  ten (10) days of the scheduled date of export. The results must demonstrate either no significant rise (taken to be a four (4)-fold rise between any two (2) samples) or stable/declining titres. Dates of sampling (1), (2) and (3). Dates of testing (1), (2) and (3)

2.1.8.2.3  the stallion(s) has been determined not to be semen carriers of EVA by either the covering test (test mating of two (2) mares) or virus isolation from semen performed in accordance with the methods described below:

2.1.8.2.3.1  the two (2) test mares to be used for the covering test must satisfy the requirements for horses to be exported to Japan and must be isolated at the same pre-export isolation facilities together with the vaccinated stallion during the thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled date of export of the vaccinated stallion to Japan with negative results of the following tests:

2.1.8.2.3.1.1  blood samples are taken from the two (2) mares immediately prior to entering pre-export isolation, and subjected to the virus neutralisation test with negative results at serum dilution 1:4

2.1.8.2.3.1.2  during the thirty (30)-day pre-export isolation period each of the two (2) test mares is covered by the vaccinated stallion twice a day for two (2) days. On the 14th day and the 28th day after the last covering, blood samples are taken from each of the two (2) test mares and subjected to the virus neutralisation test with negative results at serum dilution 1:4

2.1.8.2.3.1.3  the two (2) test mares are found to be free of signs or symptoms of equine viral arteritis during the thirty (30)-day pre-export isolation period. Dates of entry of mares into pre-export isolation facilities (1) & (2). Dates of pre-isolation sampling (1) & (2). Dates of covering (1) & (2). Dates of post-covering sampling (1) & (2). Dates of testing (1) & (2)

2.1.8.2.3.2  The vaccinated stallions are isolated at the pre-export isolation facilities for the thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled date of export to Japan, and their semen is subjected to virus isolation as follows:

2.1.8.2.3.2.1  disinfectants are not used in cleaning of the collection instruments and the external genitalia of the stallions prior to collection

2.1.8.2.3.2.2  the collection of semen from the vaccinated stallions is conducted twice at an interval of one (1) day or several days, using an artificial vagina or a condom. The sample for virus isolation is taken from the sperm-rich fraction of the collected semen

2.1.8.2.3.2.3  two (2) semen samples from each vaccinated stallion are subjected to virus isolation in accordance with the procedures prescribed in the “OIE Manual of Standards for Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines”, Chapter 2.5.10, with negative results. Dates of collection: (1) & (2). Dates of testing:  (1) & (2).

(To be deleted whichever of 4.2.2.3 (a) or 4.2.2.3 (b) is not applicable)

2.1.9  For at least seven (7) days immediately prior to export (Note. Stallion(s) tested for EVA in accordance with clause 4.2.2 above must be isolated for a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to export), the horse(s) was isolated from all other animals not of equivalent health status in pre-export isolation facilities (approved by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry as a secure and guaranteed place from an animal health point of view), under the supervision of an Official Veterinarian approved by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Date of entry into pre-export isolation. Date of completion of pre-export isolation.

2.1.10  Throughout the pre-export isolation period the horse(s) for export was periodically inspected by an Official Veterinarian approved by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and was found to be free from any clinical evidence of infectious or contagious diseases.

2.1.11  In so far as can be determined, all containers, vehicles and loading places of the ship or aircraft to be used to transport the horses from the pre-export isolation facilities to the port of export were previously cleaned and disinfected under the supervision of the government authorities of New Zealand with chemicals approved by the said authorities.

2.1.12  In so far as can be determined, during transportation from the pre-export isolation facilities to the port of embarkation the horses did not come into contact with any animals not of equivalent isolation and tested health status. No other animals not of equivalent health status have been loaded on the aircraft together with the horse(s) to be exported to Japan.

2.1.13  In so far as can be determined, feed and litter used during transportation from the port of export are provided from the same source as used for the pre-export isolation.

 

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 current export certificate for horses to Japan, dated 27 October 2010.

 

Additional Information on OMAR Notification:  HORANIEC.JPN 27.10.10

1.  This OMAR, based on the export certificate dated 27 October 2010, replaces the previous one dated 25 November 2008. The changes made were in the export certificate: (i) clause 1: Country health status (equine encephalitis has been added); (ii) clauses 2.4 and 6.2, and (iii) editorial.  It was approved by MAFF-AHD, Japan, on 5 November 2010 in an email via MFAT.

2.  The export certificate can be used for the export of multiple horses, provided that the required information on each horse can be fully identified and certified in the one certificate. The identification of multiple horses should be consistent and clear throughout all pages of the certificate

3.  In the case that any infectious disease is detected in the exported horse(s) during the quarantine period in Japan, return or disposal of the horses may be ordered by the animal quarantine service in Japan. In order to travel from Japan to New Zealand, all horses must meet the New Zealand Import Health Standard.

4.  The Official Veterinarian must supply a physical address on the Official Assurance, not a P.O. Box.

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'.