Exporting Zoo Reptiles (excluding crocodileans) to Australia

12 May 2008

zoorepec.aus

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 reptiles (excluding crocodileans) to Australia.

This notice takes effect from date of signing.

Dated at Wellington this 10^th day of June 2008.

Karen Sparrow
Exports Manager
Border Standards
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand
(pursuant to delegated authority)

2. Requirements of Australia

Zoo reptiles (excluding crocodileans) 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 for the exportation of zoo reptiles (excluding crocodileans) from New Zealand 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 The premises of origin are a government approved licensed or registered zoo, aquarium or other institution for holding reptiles.

2.2.2 Each animal for export has been continuously resident in the premises of origin since birth, or for at least 90 days prior to the scheduled date of export.

2.2.3 The premises of origin are 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.

2.2.4 No case of mycoplasmosis, inclusion body disease of boids, or disease due to herpesvirus, ranavirus or paramyxovirus has been diagnosed in reptiles, of the same family as the reptiles being exported, at the premises of origin during the 12 months prior to the scheduled date of export.

2.2.5 The animal(s) was/were held in isolation from other animals not of the same health and residency status, for 90 days prior to the date of export, and remained free from clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease during that period.

2.2.6 Each animal was treated on two occasions, at least 14 days apart and during the 30 days prior to export, with internal parasiticides suitable for use on reptiles and effective against helminthes (nematodes, cestodes, trematodes), pentastomes and protazoans suitable for use on reptiles. Dates of treatment. Active ingredient(s) and dose rate used.

2.2.7 Individual health records, including details of vaccinations, tests and treatments during the last two years or since the birth of each animal, have been attached to this zoosanitary certificate.

2.2.8 An official veterinarian or a veterinarian recognised by the Official Veterinarian as having expertise in the diagnosis of disease in reptiles, has inspected each animal within 72 hours prior to export and found it to be free of external parasites, healthy and fit to travel.

2.2.9 Each animal will be shipped in a container that meets the appropriate container requirements specified in the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animal 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 reptiles (excluding crocodileans) to Australia dated 12 May 2008 which is based on the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) import conditions C8425, C8426, C8465 and C5012 for reptiles (excluding crocodileans) to Australia.

Additional Information on OMAR Notification: ZOOREPEC.AUS 12.05.08

1. An import permit is required and must be applied for prior to importation into Australia. Permit applications must be sent to Live Animal Imports – Australian Quarantine and Inspections Service (AQIS) Canberra, for assessment.

Live Animal Imports – AQIS
GPO Box 858
Canberra 2601
Phone: + 61 2 6272 4454
Fax: +61 2 62723110
Email: animalimp@aqis.gov.au

2. A Quarantine Entry must be lodge for each consignment. The inspecting AQIS officer must be advised of the entry number prior to inspection.

3. Consignments must be addressed and sent to AQIS at the port of arrival.

4. The importer or agent must make an appointment for AQIS inspection of animal(s) 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.

5. For specimens subject to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) or the live import provisions of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, the importer in most cases will need to obtain a valid import permit from the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage prior to the specimen arriving in Australia. Application forms for the export/import of wildlife and wildlife products are available on the Department and Heritage website. Enquiries may also be directed to the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage on phone + 61 2 6274 1900; fax + 61 2 6274 1921 or email wildlifetrade@deh.gov.au.

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

7. Each animal must undergo a 30 day post-arrival quarantine isolation in an AQIS approved quarantine facility and be inspected and found free from signs of infectious disease before release from quarantine isolation. During the PAQ the animals(s) are to be monitored daily for signs of illness and, if necessary, be subjected to a clinical examination. All animals that die in PAQ are to be subject to a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death. AQIS is to be advised of the post-mortem results within 48 hours.

8. During transport to the port of export, shipment, and transport from the port of importation to the post-arrival quarantine facility (PAQ), the animal(s) must have no contact with animals not of the same consignment.

9. 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.

10. AQIS will accept copies of documents where each page bears the original signature, date and stamp of the Official Veterinarian.

11. It is the importer's responsibility to identify and show compliance 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 diseases, or for movement of animals or genetic material into certain animal health zones within Australia.

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

Post-Arrival Quarantine (PAQ) requirements for live reptiles from all countries

1. Quarantine means the holding of animals in a place and under conditions specified by AQIS pursuant to the Quarantine Act 1908.

2. On arrival, litter including any absorbent materials in the containers must be destroyed and the containers disinfected or destroyed in accordance with instructions from AQIS.

3. Each animal must undergo a minimum of 90 days post-arrival quarantine (PAQ) in a quarantine approved premises (QAP) and be inspected by a veterinarian and found free from signs of infectious disease and external parasites before release from quarantine. During PAQ the animal(s) is/are to be monitored daily for signs of illness and, if necessary, be subject to clinical examination. All animals dying are to be subject to a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death and AQIS is to be advised within 48 hours.

4. At the completion of PAQ, the animals will be released under quarantine surveillance, into premises approved by the appropriate State or Territory Government for holding the imported species.

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

6. Animals imported under these interim conditions will be held under quarantine surveillance until two years after importation. After this period, if they are free from suspicion of a quarantinable disease, they will then be released unconditionally from quarantine. Conditions of quarantine surveillance include notification by the owner to AQIS of any signs of sickness, death or intended transfer of imported animal to another facility.

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'.