Exporting Equine Semen (frozen) of USA origin to Australia

22 August 2011

horsemec3.aus

Ref: AE-AU-13L

1.  Statutory authority

Pursuant to section 60 of the Animal Products Act 1999:

I notify the following overseas market access requirements:

(i)  equine semen(frozen) of USA origin to Australia.

This notice takes effect from date of signing.

Dated at Wellington this 22nd day of August 2011.

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.  Australian requirements

Equine semen (frozen) of USA origin exported from New Zealand to Australia must comply with the import requirements of Australia:

2.1  An Import Permit is required for the exportation of equine semen (frozen) of USA origin to Australia.

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

2.2.1  The centre where the semen has been stored is approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for the storage of equine semen for export.

2.2.2  The semen has been maintained and stored at a semen centre under the supervision of a centre veterinarian since the semen was imported into NZ.

2.2.3  The semen was stored under the supervision of a centre veterinarian in a container(s) in which no biological material other than semen, embryos or ova of equivalent health status (being part of the original consignment that was imported into NZ under the NZ import permit) was held. Reproductive material was not removed from containers for further processing, or aggregation with other reproductive material.

2.2.4  The identification of the semen straws to be exported has been checked by the centre veterinarian to ensure that they match the USA export documentation and NZ Import Permit(s).

2.2.5  The semen meets the import requirements of Australia for equine semen from the USA, and this has been certified by the competent authority of the USA.

2.2.6  The semen for export was placed in a transport container(s) or shipper(s) which was (were):

Either  2.2.6.1 new

Or  2.2.6.2  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 and active ingredient used. Date of disinfection.

(To be delete as appropriate)

Only fresh liquid nitrogen that had not been used for other purposes was added to the shipper.

2.2.7  The transport container(s) / shipper(s) used to transport the semen to Australia has been closed and sealed, using a MAF security seal that bears the marks to be recorded on the export certificate.

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 equine semen (frozen) of USA origin to Australia, dated 3 August 2011.

Additional Information on OMAR Notification: HORSEMEC3.AUS 03.08.11

1.  This is a new OMAR based on the new export certificate for frozen equine semen of USA origin only. The certificate is based on an import permit obtained from AQIS. This certificate was approved by AQIS on 19 August 2011.

2.  A copy of a valid Import Permit, obtained from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS), must accompany the semen shipment to Australia.

3.  ‘Equine’ includes the domesticated species of the Equidae family.

4.  For multiple donor stallions, ‘see attached schedule’ may be entered in the donor animal information table, with all the remaining blank rows voided.

5.  A copy of the relevant documentation must be attached to the export certificate. These include:

• (a)  a copy of the Import Permit issued by AQIS
• (b)  documentation signed by an approved centre veterinarian in the USA certifying that the conditions for import of the semen from the USA to Australia have been met
• (c)  a copy(s) of the NZ Import Permit(s) for the semen to be imported into NZ
• (d)  a copy(s) of the BACC clearance certificate.

6.  A shipment may consist of a number of sealed tanks/containers. Each sealed tank/container must be individually and clearly identified and be listed in the relevant veterinary certificate(s) accompanying the shipment. On each veterinary certificate(s), genetic material must also be listed against the identity of the sealed tank/container in which it was shipped.

Where the certificate relates to more than one transport container, provide an inventory list on the outside of each transport container, with the name of the stallion and number of straws. 

7.  Clause 2.2.6.2: AQIS accepts the following disinfectants: 2% available chlorine; 2%Virkon; or irradiation at 50kGy.

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.'