Exporting Sheep and Goats (Breeding) to Canada

15 January 2010

saganiec.can

Ref: AE-AU11/24L

1. Statutory authority

Pursuant to section 60 of the Animal Products Act 1999:

(i) I notify the following overseas market access requirements, entitled sheep and goats (breeding) to Canada

This notice takes effect from date of signing.

Dated at Wellington this 20^th day of January 2010.

Signed: Rachelle Linwood
Acting Group Manager
Animal Imports and Exports
Border Standards Directorate
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand
(pursuant to delegated authority)

2. Canadian Requirements

Sheep and goats (breeding) exported from New Zealand to Canada must comply with the import requirements of Canada listed in this notice as follows:

2.1 An Import Permit is required for the exportation of sheep and goats (breeding) to Canada.

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 New Zealand is free of Akabane virus, anaplasmosis, Aujeszky’s disease, bluetongue, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), Borna disease, brucellosis (Brucella abortus & Brucella melitensis), contagious caprine pleuropneumonia, foot-and-mouth disease, heartwater, louping ill, melioidosis, Murrurundi disease, Nairobi sheep disease, peste des petits ruminants, Rift Valley fever, rabies, rinderpest, classical scrapie, screwworm, sheep & goat pox, and Wesselsbron disease.

2.2.2 Vaccination against these diseases in not permitted in New Zealand.

2.2.3 The animal(s) for export was either born or resident on the premises of origin for at least sixty (60) days immediately prior to entering pre-export isolation. These premises of origin have not been under any restriction for disease control purposes in the past twelve (12) months.

2.2.4 All premises on which the animal(s) for export has resided in the past twelve (12) months have been free from clinical and epidemiological evidence of contagious agalactia and hydatitosis (echinococcosis) during the twelve (12) months immediately prior to movement of the animals off the premises.

2.2.5 The animal(s) for export originated from a premise free from tuberculosis, based on the following:

2.2.5.1 The premises of origin has been free from any clinical, microbiological, pathological or epidemiological evidence of tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) for the thirty-six (36) months immediately prior to movement of the animal(s) off the premises.

2.2.6 The animal(s) for export was transported without delay and without coming into contact with any animals of a lesser health status from the premises of origin to the pre-export isolation facilites in vehicles and containers that had been cleaned and disinfected.

2.2.7 The animal(s) was kept in a MAF-approved pre-export isolation facility for a minimum of fourteen (14) days, or a longer period of time as necessary to complete the tests needed to meet the export requirements, and with the facility having been approved prior to the entry of the animal(s).

2.2.8 While in pre-export isolation, the animal(s) has remained free from clinical signs of infectious diseases.

2.2.9 No animals of a lesser health status were introduced onto the MAF-approved pre-export isolation facility during the isolation period.

2.2.10 No animal was removed from the pre-export isolation facility, unless duly discharged by the Official Veterinarian of New Zealand MAF.

2.2.11 Any and all testing or treatment procedures were carried out under the direct supervision of an Official Veterinarian of New Zealand MAF.

2.2.12 While in pre-export isolation, and within 30 days prior to the scheduled date of export, the animal(s) for export was subjected to the CFT or the ELISA for brucellosis /ovine epididymitis, with negative results.

2.2.12.1 In the case of goats - Brucella abortus. Date of sampling and type of test.

2.2.12.2 In the case of sheep - Brucella ovis. Date of sampling and type of test.

2.2.13 Within 45 days prior to the scheduled date of export, the animal(s) for export was tested for tuberculosis using an intradermal tuberculin test, with negative results.

Note. This test must be performed at least 60 days after any previous tuberculosis test. Date of test.

2.2.14 All in-contact animals in pre-export isolation had negative results to all tests that were required to qualify for export to Canada.

2.2.15 While in pre-export isolation, and within seven (7) days of export, the animal(s) for export was treated for internal and external parasites with ivermectin at a dose rate of 0.3 mg/kg bodyweight, or other treatment that is registered in New Zealand for that purpose.

2.2.16 The animal(s) has been examined by an Official Veterinarian of New Zealand MAF during the forty-eight (48) hour period immediately preceding the scheduled date of export and was found to be healthy and free from clinical evidence of infectious disease and, as far as could be determined, exposure there to. Date and time of examination.

2.2.17 The animal(s) is fit to be transported without undue suffering by reason of infirmity, illness, injury, fatigue or other cause during the expected journey.

2.2.18. The animal(s) for export was transported from the pre-export isolation facilities directly to the port of embarkation in vehicles and containers that had been previously cleaned and disinfected.

2.2.19 During transit from the pre-isolation facility to the port of departure and loading, the animal(s) was not in contact with any animals or equipment used with animals of a lesser health status.

2.3 The registered exporter must declare, with regards to the animal(s) identified in the export certificate, the following:

2.3.1 “When transport is by air, transportation of the animals is in accordance with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animal Regulations, approved by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). For all forms of transport, suitable arrangements have been made for the feeding, watering and care of the animals during transportation, as far as can be determined. Where applicable, the shipment does not include animals that will probably give birth during transportation. Young animals being shipped without their dam have been fully weaned prior to export.”

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 export certificate for sheep and goats (breeding) to Canada dated 15 January 2010.

Additional Information on OMAR Notification: SAGANIEC.AUS 15.01.10

1. This is a new OMAR, which is based on the Import Details for Requirement: 29486 Versions: HS Description: 010410, which was provided by the Canadian Food and Inspection Agency (CFIA) on 15 January 2010. The certificate was approved by Dr Doug Hayes, Senior Staff Veterinarian-Import, CFIA, in an email dated 19 January 2010.

2. An Import Permit is required. This needs to be applied for by the importer by contacting the local CFIA office.

3. The Health of Animals Act (Government of Canada) stipulates that an animal must reside in a country for a minimum of 60 days before that country can be considered the country of origin.

4. To clarify clauses 2.2.7, 2.2.12 and 2.2.13: The animal(s) must be held in pre-export isolation for at least 14 days prior to export, although this period may be extended, depending on when the required testing is being carried out in relation to the scheduled date of export. The testing for brucellosis and tuberculosis must be carried out: (i) within 30 days and 45 days of export, respectively; and (ii) while the animal(s) is being held in pre-export isolation.

5. Clause 2.2.12: One or more positive results to any required tests during pre-export isolation will render the entire group of in-contact animals ineligible for export to Canada. Therefore, it is advised to structure group size in the pre-export isolation facility in such a way to limit the potential number of animals that could be affected.

If there are any false-positive tests, confirmatory negative tests and an epidemiological investigation must be done, with animals removed from the pre-export facility only under the authority of the Official Veterinarian.

Note. Post-import testing will be done after arrival in Canada and any positive animal(s) will jeopardize the admissibility of the entire group of animals to Canada; therefore, consultation prior to export may be required to assess events.

6. For any wood packaging material used to ship the animals, the broker/importer should attest to one of the following with respect to the packaging material:

(i) “Wood packaging contained with shipment displays the ISPM No.15 compliant stamp.”

(ii) “Wood packaging material is accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate, i.e. approved treatment per ISPM No. 15.”

(iii) Wood packaging material is made out of manufactured wood which is exempted from ISPM No. 15.”

(iv) “No wood packaging is contained with the shipment.”

7. All arrangements for quarantine premises in Canada must be made with the Area Office of CFIA.

8. Any import inspection services provided by CFIA staff are subject to a CFIA user fee.

9. With regards to Clause 2.2.19, off-loading of the animals en route to the port of export is allowed for animal welfare reasons or any other unforeseen circumstances. However, such off-loading would have to be into MAF-approved facilities.

10. The animal(s) being presented for export must be identified by an acceptable electronic or non-electronic means as follows:

(i) If utilizing non-electronic identification, the animal(s) to be exported must be uniquely identified by a tattoo, an ear tag, flock number, wing or tamper evident leg bands. The accompanying export certification must correlate the unique identification number to a description detailing the animals' breed, colour, sex, age and any identifying marks.

(ii) If utilizing electronic identification the animal(s) to be exported must be permanently and uniquely identified with an electronic microchip in the country of origin. The accompanying export certification must correlate the unique identification number to a description detailing the animals' breed, colour, sex, age and any identifying marks, as appropriate. The location of the microchip must be described and a reader capable of reading the chips must accompany the animals to the Canadian port(s) of entry.

11. Immature, unweaned animals travelling at the foot of their dam may be identified by external means correlating to that of the dam and this identification must be recorded on the health certificate.

12.1 Entry to Canada may be refused if the manner of shipping is found to be in contravention of transport regulations under the Health of Animals Regulations.

12.2 The animal(s) to be exported to Canada must be shipped by the most direct and appropriate route from the point of export to the address of destination in Canada. Trans-shipment through another country requires written authorisation from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

12.3 Any written approval for routing of the shipment of animals through another country must be attached to the export certificate and accompany the shipment.

12.4 With the exception of changing planes, the animal(s) must not be off loaded at any port of call en route.

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.'