Importing horses via Australia

29 September 2009

hortniec.aus

Ref: AE-AU 13L

1. Statutory authority

Pursuant to section 60 of the Animal Products Act 1999:

(i) I notify the following overseas market access requirements (transit), entitled horses via Australia

This notice takes effect from date of signing.

Dated at Wellington this 6^th day of October 2009.

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 (Transit) Requirements

Horses to Australia (transit) must comply with the import requirements of Australia listed in this notice as follows:

2.1 An Import Permit is required for the exportation of horses from New Zealand via Australia.

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

2.2.1 Each horse has been continuously resident in New Zealand and/or Australia for at least 14 days immediately preceding shipment.

2.2.2 Each horse has been resident on a property where no horses were subject to any quarantine restriction during the 14 days immediately preceding shipment.

2.2.3 At the time of shipment the horse(s) was not under quarantine restrictions or subject to movement control for animal health reasons.

2.2.4 At the scheduled date of export each pregnant mare was less than 10 months pregnant.

2.2.5 The horse(s) for export is not known to be infected with equine arteritis virus.

2.2.6 An Official Veterinarian inspected each horse within 48 hours prior to the scheduled time of export, and found it to be clinically healthy and fit to travel.

2.2.7 The container(s) used to transport the horse(s) to Australia and the compartment(s) of the aircraft or vessel to be occupied by it has been cleaned prior to the loading of the horse(s), and has been disinfected since last carrying animals other than from Australia or New Zealand.

2.2.8 For air transport, the design of the containers, the recommended species requirements and the preparation for transport is in accordance with the recommendations of the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code and the IATA Live Animal Regulations. For sea transport, facilities and arrangements meet the requirements of the MAF Standard for the Export of Horses from New Zealand by Sea.

(To be deleted if not applicable)

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 transit certificate for horses to Australia dated 29 September 2009.

Additional information on OMAR notification – HORTNIEC.AUS 29.09.09

1. This is a new Transit OMAR which is based on the new Transit certificate for horses to Australia dated 29 September 2009.

2. AQIS has requested a transit official assurance be supplied for horses that travel by sea and transit through an Australian port.

3. The Australian authorities inform MAFBNZ if a horse transiting Australia by ship is off loaded in Australia, it will be imported into Australia. Once imported into Australia the horse may not be able to continue its journey by sea.

4. A transit permit is required and must be applied for prior to export.

5. 'Horses' include asses, mules and donkeys.

6. The following criteria should be met to the Official Veterinarian's satisfaction, through due enquiry and examination of any relevant records, in order to certify equine viral arteritis (EVA) clauses:

6.1 In the case of mares, geldings, and male or female foals less than 12 months of age, the animals should have had no contact during the 3 months prior to export with any of the known EVA sero-positive carrier stallions in New Zealand.

6.2 In the case of uncastrated male horses over 12 months of age, they should have had no contact during 3 months prior to export with any of the known EVA sero-positive carrier stallions in New Zealand, and have:

6.2.1 Either never mated

6.2.2 or been subjected to a serum neutralisation test (SNT) for EVA at an approved government laboratory, with a negative result (negative is a reaction at a dilution of equal to or less than 1:4) during the 12-month period prior to the scheduled date of export

6.2.3 or been subjected to a virus isolation test for EVA on two semen samples (sperm-rich fraction) from separate collections, at an approved government laboratory, with negative results, during the 12-month period prior to the scheduled date of export

6.2.4 or on the basis of appropriate laboratory and vaccination evidence, been tested for EVA by a SNT with negative results and vaccinated against EVA immediately after taking the sample that gave the negative result, using an approved vaccine in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, and re-vaccinated annually.

7. The MAF Biosecurity Authority Standard: MAF Standard for the export of horses from New Zealand by sea (11 November 1999) can be downloaded from: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/exports/animals/standards/horses-by-sea.htm

8. The use of hay or straw as bedding during transport by air is not permitted; treated wood shavings, sterilised peat and soft board may be used.

9. Where one export certificate is used for multiple horses, the 'Name and address of premises of origin' may be listed as the town/city of origin.

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'.