Importing Frozen Canine Semen from Specified Countries

26 May 2008

dogsemic.spe

USER GUIDE

The information in MAF BNZ animal and animal product Import Health Standards is presented in numerically ordered sections with descriptive titles. Sections are grouped into one of four parts, designated alphabetically.

Part A. GENERAL INFORMATION contains sections of general interest, including those relating to the legal basis for MAF BNZ Import Health Standards and the general responsibilities of every importer of animals and animal products.

Part B. IMPORTATION PROCEDURE contains sections that outline the requirements to be met prior to and during importation. Whether a permit to import is required to be obtained prior to importation is noted, as are conditions of eligibility, transport and general conditions relating to documentation accompanying the consignment.

Part C. CLEARANCE PROCEDURE contains sections describing the requirements to be met at the New Zealand border and, if necessary, in a transitional facility in New Zealand prior to any consignment being given biosecurity clearance.

Part D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION contains model health certification which must be completed by the appropriate personnel as indicated in the certification and accompany the consignment to New Zealand.

PART A: GENERAL INFORMATION

1 IMPORT HEALTH STANDARD

1.1 Pursuant to section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, this document is the Import Health Standard for the importation into New Zealand of frozen canine semen from specified countries.

1.2 Obtaining biosecurity clearance for each consignment of canine semen from the country of origin is dependent on the consignment meeting the requirements of this Import Health Standard.

1.3 This import health standard may be reviewed, amended or revoked if there are changes in New Zealand's import policy or the animal health status of the originating country, or for any other lawful reason, at the discretion of the Imports Standards Group Manager.

2 IMPORTER'S RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1 The costs of MAF BNZ in performing functions relating to the importation of frozen canine semen shall be recovered in accordance with the Biosecurity Act and any regulations made under that Act.

2.2 All costs involved with documentation, transport, storage and obtaining a biosecurity direction and clearance shall be borne by the importer or importer's agent.

2.3 It is the importer or agent's responsibility to ensure that they are compliant with the current version of the relevant import health standard at the time of importation into New Zealand. Current versions of import health standards are available online at http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/ihs/search

2.4 The importer must make all arrangements for transport of the frozen canine semen to and within New Zealand.

3 EQUIVALENCE

The import health standard has been agreed as being suitable for trade between the exporting and the importing countries. It is expected that the frozen canine semen will meet the conditions in every respect.

Occasionally it is found that, due to circumstances beyond the control of the importer or exporter, a consignment does not comply completely with this import health standard. In such cases, an application for equivalence may be considered and may be issued at the discretion of the MAF BNZ, but only if the following information is forwarded by the certifying government's veterinary authority:

3.1 which clause/s of the import health standard cannot be met and how this has occurred; and

3.2 the reason the consignment is considered to be of an "equivalent health" status and/or what proposal is made to return the consignment to an equivalent health status as set out in this standard; and

3.3 the reasons why the veterinary authority of the country of origin believe this proposal should be acceptable to the MAF BNZ and their recommendation for its acceptance.

4 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Biosecurity clearance

A clearance under section 26 of the Biosecurity Act (1993) for the entry of goods into New Zealand. (Explanatory Note: Goods given a Biosecurity Clearance by an Inspector are released to the importer without restriction).

Imports Standards Group Manager

The Imports Standards Group Manager, MAF BNZ, or any person who for the time being may lawfully exercise and perform the power and functions of the Imports Standards Group Manager

Inspector

Means a person who is appointed an inspector under section 103 of the Biosecurity Act (1993). (Explanatory Note: An Inspector is appointed to undertake administering and enforcing the provisions of the Biosecurity Act and controls imposed under HSNO).

MAF BNZ

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity New Zealand

Official Veterinarian

A veterinarian authorised by the Veterinary Administration of the country to perform animal health and/or public health inspections of commodities and, when appropriate, perform certification in conformity with the provisions of the chapter of the Terrestrial Code pertaining to principles of certification.

Terrestrial Code

The World Organisation for Animal Health Terrestrial Animal Health Code.

PART B: IMPORTATION PROCEDURE

5 DOCUMENTATION ACCOMPANYING THE CONSIGNMENT

5.1 The consignment must be accompanied by all appropriately completed health certification which meets the requirements of PART D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION. The required documentation is:

5.1.1 Zoosanitary Certificate

5.1.2 Laboratory test results;

5.2 It is the importer’s responsibility to ensure that any documentation presented in accordance with the requirements of this import health standard is original (unless otherwise specified) and clearly legible. Failure to do so may result in delays in obtaining biosecurity clearance or rejection of consignments.

6 ELIGIBILITY FOR IMPORTATION

6.1 Semen from dogs of the following breeds (including crosses of these breeds) is not eligible for importation:

• American pit bull terrier;
• Dogo argentino;
• Japanese tosa; and
• Brazilian fila.

6.2 The specified countries for which this import health standard is applicable are as follows:

American Samoa , Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Argentina, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Christmas Island, Cook Islands, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Eire (Republic of Ireland), Falkland Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Fiji, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Guam, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Macau, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Nauru, The Netherlands, Netherland Antilles and Aruba, New Caledonia, Niue, Norway, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Island, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Croatia, Republic of Slovenia, Reunion, Sabah, Sarawak, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent Grenadin, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Kingdom of Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, US Virgin Islands, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna & Western Samoa.

6.3 All requirements of this import health standard, including those detailed in the Model Zoosanitary Certificate must be met for the commodity to be eligible for importation.

PART C: CLEARANCE PROCEDURE

7 BIOSECURITY CLEARANCE

7.1 Upon arrival in New Zealand, the documentation accompanying the frozen semen shall be inspected by an Inspector at the port of arrival. The Inspector may also inspect the consignment, or a sample of the consignment.

7.2 Providing that the seals are intact and documentation meets all requirements noted under PART D: ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION and the consignment meets the conditions of ELIGIBILITY, an Inspector under section 25 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, may issue a biosecurity clearance.

7.3 The person in charge of the semen must keep full records of semen distribution and make this available to an inspector of MAF BNZ when required.

PART D: ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION

Please see the PDF version for zoosanitary certification.