Exporting Alpacas and Llamas to Hong Kong

14 September 2011

lamaniec.hk

Ref: AE-HK-04L

1.  Statutory authority

Pursuant to section 60 of the Animal Products Act 1999:

i) I notify the following overseas market access requirements, entitled Alpacas and Llamas to Hong Kong

This notice takes effect from date of signing.

Dated at Wellington this 19th day of October 2011.

Signed: Matthew Stone BVSc MVS MACVSc (Epidemiology)
Group Manager
Animal Imports and Exports
Import Export Directorate
Standards Branch
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
(pursuant to delegated authority)

2.  Hong Kong requirements

Alpacas and llamas exported from New Zealand to Hong Kong must comply with the import regulations of Hong Kong listed in this notice as follows.

2.1  An Import Permit is required for the exportation of alpacas and llamas to Hong Kong.

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  The premises of origin have been free from Chlamydia spp. infection, Clostridium botulinum infection and Mycobacterium bovis infection for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the scheduled date of export.

2.2.2  The animals for export are captive-bred.

2.2.3  The animals for export have been continuously kept in New Zealand for at least six (6) months preceding the scheduled date of export, or since birth.

2.2.4  The animals destined for export have been vaccinated using a registered vaccine against the following diseases, either as a full primary course or a booster as recommended by the manufacturer, and not less than thirty (30) days prior to export; Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium septicum and leptospirosis.

2.2.5  The animals have undergone Pre-export Quarantine (PEQ) at a MAF-approved pre-export isolation facility(s) for at least fourteen (14) days prior to export.

2.2.6  The animals showed no clinical signs of equine herpes virus type 1 infection during the fourteen (14) days prior to export.

2.2.7  During PEQ the animals were tested for bovine tuberculosis (Tb) by using the tuberculin test with negative results.

2.2.8  On entry to PEQ and again within four (4) days of export the animals were treated for endo and ectoparasites with effective broad spectrum parasiticides.

2.2.9  Examination prior to export:

2.2.9.1  The animals have been inspected by an Official Veterinarian within seventy two (72) hours prior to departure from New Zealand.

2.2.9.2  At the time of examination the animals were healthy, clinically free from infectious and contagious diseases, free from injuries, and fit to travel to Hong Kong.

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 the exportation of alpacas and llamas to Hong Kong, dated 14 September 2011.

Additional Information for OMAR Notification: LAMANIEC.HK 14.09.11

1.  This is a new OMAR based on the new export certificate, dated 14 September 2011. It is based on Permit Terms for the importation of alpacas and llamas from New Zealand received from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of Hong Kong in September 2011 and was approved in an email from AFCD on 19 October 2011.

2.  An Import Permit is required

3.  The export certificate must not be dated more than seventy two (72) hours before departure. Regarding Clause 2.2.4, vaccination should be carried out as per manufacturers recommendations for other livestock species, and be current at the time of export.

5.  The following additional import permit terms should be noted:

5.1  The permittee must notify the Duty Officer of Import & Export Section during office hours (Tel. (852) 2182 1001 / Fax. (852) 2769 8600 / E-mail foii_airport@afcd.gov.hk) at least 24 hours in advance of the anticipated time of arrival.

5.2  The animals must be transported by the fastest and most direct route from the exporting country/place to or through Hong Kong as MANIFESTED CARGO.

5.3  The animals must be carried and caged (with labels) in accordance with the current Live Animals Regulations of IATA (International Air Transport Association) and in such a way as to ensure humane management at all times.

5.4  The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance, Cap. 169, the Rabies Ordinance, Cap. 421 (which is applicable to mammals only), the Public Health (Animals & Birds) Ordinance, Cap. 139, Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, Cap. 586 and all other relevant legislation must be fully complied with.

5.5  The permittee must take precautions to ensure that the animals are not incubating or carrying infectious or contagious disease.

5.6  On arrival in Hong Kong, the animals must be isolated separately for a period of 30 days before they can come into contact with other animals.

5.7  All precautions to minimize the risk of exposure of inventory animals (1) or animal personnel to disease and zoonotic disease must be taken.

5.8  Medical examination records must be kept during quarantine and any illness and treatment during the isolation period must be reported to AFCD.

5.9  The transportation personnel and vehicles should be ready when the animals arrive in Hong Kong. Prior arrangement with airline and HACTL should be made to ensure that animals will leave the Airport as quickly and possible.

5.10  The granting of this special permit CANNOT be construed as a waiver by the Licensing Authority to import scheduled animals and birds listed under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, Cap. 586.

5.11  In the event of the animals being directed to the AFCD Airport Animal Hostel under official escort, the permittees (or agent) will be required to provide transport for the transfer to and from the said Hostel and to pay the hostel accommodation fees. Without prejudice to other terms of this permit, payment of these fees must be effected before release can be obtained.

5.12  NOTE: Failure to comply with the requirements, as stipulated above, may render the animals liable to be rejected to the country/place of export or quarantine for a period determined by the Senior Veterinary Officer at the cost and risk of the permittee. The permittee may be prosecuted.

(1) MAF has confirmed with AFCD that the term ‘inventory animals’ as used in this note refers to other animals held at the property in Hong Kong where the consignment is held for post-import quarantine.

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'.