Exporting Horses to Japan

25 November 2008

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 02.05.08

This notice takes effect from date of signing.

Dated at Wellington this 12^th day of December 2008.

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. Japanese 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 (VEE, EEE, WEE)	equine influenza
epizootic lymphangitis	equine piroplasmosis
equine salmonellosis (Salmonella Abortusequi)	horse pox
glanders	rabies
vesicular stomatitis	West Nile fever

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

2.1.3 During the 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 horses for export:

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

2.1.4 During the 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:

EITHER 2.1.5.1 During the 60 days immediately prior to entering pre-export isolation the horses were resident in New Zealand, which has never reported a case of West Nile Fever

OR 2.1.5.2 After examination of either the official passports or other relevant documents the Official Veterinarian is satisfied the horses were vaccinated twice against West Nile virus with an interval of three to six weeks (or once for booster) during the 12 months prior to export to Japan, using a vaccine approved by the government authority.

(Note: to be deleted as applicable)

2.1.6.1 Either the horses for export have not been vaccinated

2.1.6.2 Or the horses for export have been vaccinated with the vaccines recorded on the export certificate. Name of vaccines. Dates vaccinated.

(Note: to be deleted as applicable)

2.1.7 The horses were subjected to the agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID or Coggin’s test) for equine infectious anaemia (EIA) with negative results within 30 days of the schedule date of export. Date of sampling. Date of testing.

2.1.8 For equine viral arteritis (EVA):

2.1.8.1 Either the horses that have not been vaccinated against EVA were subjected to the virus neutralisation test for EVA with negative results within 30 days of the scheduled date of export (negative at a serum dilution of 1:4). Date of sampling and date of testing

2.1.8.2 Or the horses that are stallions have been vaccinated against EVA, and 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 2.1.6.2 above). Date of pre-vaccination sample. Date of testing

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

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

2.1.8.2.3.1 The two 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 30 days prior to the schedule 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 mares immediately prior to entering pre-export isolation facilities, and subjected to the virus neutralisation test with negative results at serum dilution 1:4

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

2.1.8.2.3.1.3 The two test mares were found to be free of signs or symptoms of equine viral arteritis during the 30 day pre-export isolation period.

Dates of entry of mares into pre-export isolation facility (1) and (2). Dates of pre-isolaton sampling (1) and (2). Dates of covering (1) and (2). Dates of post-covering sampling (1) and (2). Dates of testing (1) and (2).

OR:

2.1.8.2.3.2 The vaccinated stallions are isolated at the pre-export isolation facility for the 30 days prior to the scheduled date of export to Japan, and their semen is subjected to virus isolation test from semen 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 stallion prior to collection

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

2.1.8.2.3.2.3 Two semen samples from each vaccinated stallion are subjected to virus isolation tests 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) and (2). Dates of testing (1) and (2).

(Note: Delete whichever of 2.1.8.2.3.1 or 2.1.8.2.3.2 is not applicable.)

2.1.9 For at least 7 days immediately prior to export (note: stallions tested for EVA in accordance with 2.1.8.2 above must be isolated for a minimum 30 days prior to export), the horses were isolated from all other animals not of equivalent health status in pre-export isolation facilites (approved by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry as a secure and guaranteed places 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-isolation. Date of completion of pre-export isolation.

2.1.10 Throughout the pre-isolation period the horses for export were periodically inspected by an Official Veterinarian approved by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and were 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 a ship or aircraft to be used to transport the horses from the pre-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 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.

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 used for 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 25 November 2008.

Additional Information on OMAR Notification: HORANIEC.JPN 25.11.08

1. This OMAR replaces the previous one dated 2 May 2008. The only changes made are: (i) the use of a table for section I (identification of animals); and (ii) editorial. Approval of the certificate by the Animal Health Division of Japan MAFF was received via the NZ Embassy in an e-mail dated 28 November 2008.

2. This 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 PO 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'.