OVERSEAS MARKET ACCESS REQUIREMENTS NOTIFICATION - ANIMAL PRODUCTS ACT 1999 – MAF BIOSECURITY NEW ZEALAND

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Ref: AE-AU45L
Date: 18 July 2008

OMAR B ZOOCAREC.AUS 18.07.08 - ZOO CARNIVORES to AUSTRALIA

1. Statutory authority

Pursuant to section 60 of the Animal Products Act 1999:

(i) I notify the following overseas market access requirements and specifications, entitled zoo carnivores to Australia

(ii) Revoke OMAR B ZOOCAREC.AUS 18.09.06.

This notice takes effect from date of signing.

Dated at Wellington this 22^nd day of July 2008

Signed: Barry O'Neil
Deputy Director General
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand
(pursuant to delegated authority)

2. Requirements of Australia

Zoo carnivores exported from New Zealand to Australia must comply with the import requirements of Australia listed in this notice as follows:

2.1 An import permit is required to export zoo carnivores to 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 New Zealand is free of rabies, typanosomiasis, tularaemia, brucellosis, transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, and Aujeszky's disease.

2.2.2 The premise of origin is a zoo, aquarium or other institution, approved, licensed or registered by the government to hold non-domestic carnivores.

2.2.3 The animal(s) has been continuously resident in the premises of origin since birth or for at least 12 months prior to certification.

2.2.4 The premise of origin is under veterinary supervision, where the health of the animal(s) is monitored so that incursions of disease are identified, and control and/or eradication measures can be applied. A health monitoring program should include microbiological and parasitological tests and necropsies.

2.2.5 No case of Aleutian disease, babesiosis, pseudotuberculosis, trichinosis, or tuberculosis has been diagnosed at the premises of origin during the 12 months prior to certification, in any animal of the same Family as the export animals(s).

2.2.6 The animal(s) was isolated from other animals not of the same health and residency status for 30 days prior to the scheduled date of export, and remained free from clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease during that period.

2.2.7 The animal(s) was treated for internal and external parasites with broad-spectrum parasiticides during the 30 days prior to export. Date(s) of treatment, product, active ingredient(s) used and dose rate to be recorded on the export certificate.

2.2.8 The animal(s) has been individually identified with an International Standards Organisation (ISO) compliant microchip (transponder), and the site of implantation and the identification number of each animal is recorded on the veterinary certificate.

2.2.9 The animal(s) for export was individually examined by an Official Veterinarian within 72 hours prior to the scheduled date of export and found to be healthy and fit to travel.

2.2.10 After due enquiry, the official veterinarian is satisfied that each animal will be shipped in a container that meets the container requirements specified in the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animals Regulations.

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 zoo carnivores to Australia dated 18 July 2008.

Additional Information on OMAR Notification: ZOOCAREC.AUS 18.07.08

1. This OMAR replaces the previous one dated 18 September 2006 and has been updated to meet the requirements in this import permit and was approved by AQIS in July 2008. These requirements apply to members of the Order Carnivora other than the domestic dog Canis familiaris, the domestic cat Feliscatus, and members of the Family Felidae.

2. All consignments must be accompanied by a valid Import Permit, or by a means to allow the identification of the Import Permit and the veterinary certificate as required by these conditions.

3. The importer or agent must lodge a Quarantine Entry for each consignment. The inspecting AQIS officer must be advised of the entry number prior to inspection.

4. It is the importer's responsibility to identify and to ensure it has complied with all requirements of any other regulatory and advisory bodies prior to and after importation. It is the importer's responsibility to arrange for any additional testing for genetic and endemic infectious disease, or for movement of animals or genetic material into certain animal health zones within Australia.

5. One importer, as listed on the Import Permit, or nominated agent, must be accessible to AQIS officers and accept responsibility for ensuring that all import conditions are met, including the AQIS inspection.

6. The importer or agent must make an appointment for AQIS inspection of goods and documentation. The importer or agent may be required to be present at this inspection. The consignment will be held by AQIS until completion of inspection. Fees are payable to AQIS for all services. The importer must notify the AQIS office in the state of import in writing at least three (3) working days prior to import. The notification must include a contact number for the importer, the AQIS permit number, flight number, airway bill number, date and estimated time of arrival, and list of animals being imported.

7. Consignments that do not meet AQIS import conditions will remain in quarantine control, be re-exported or destroyed without recompense.

8. The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) will accept copies of documents where each page bears the original signature, date and stamp, of the Official Veterinarian.

Post-arrival quarantine requirements for the importation of zoo carnivores

9. Each animal must undergo a 30 days post-arrival quarantine (PAQ) at the following quarantine approved premises (OAP).

Taronga Conservation Society of Australia
Animal Holding Areas VQ1-5, Quarantine/Hospital facility, Obley Rd
DUBBO
NSW
2530

During this time they must be inspected and found free from signs of infectious disease before release from quarantine. During PAQ the animal(s) are to be monitored daily for signs of illness and, if necessary, be subject to a clinical examination. All animals that die during PAQ are to be subject to a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death. AQIS should be advised of the post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death. AQIS should be advised of the post-mortem results within 48 hours.

10. At the completion of PAQ, the animal(s) will be released under quarantine surveillance, into premises approved by the appropriate State or Territory Government for holding the imported species.

11. While in PAQ or under surveillance the animals(s) may be subjected to tests or treatments specified by AQIS at the importer's expense. If any animal fails a test or shows evidence of an exotic disease during PAQ, it may be detained in quarantine, exported at the importer's expense or destroyed.

12. CITIES documentation may be required.

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'.