Dogs and cats from Australia

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Issued pursuant to Section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993
Date: 11 September 2007

USER GUIDE

The information in MAF 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 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. When MAF has accepted health certification produced by a government authority in the exporting country as meeting the requirements of the model health certification this is noted. When no health certification is required to accompany consignments Part D. will note “none required”.

PART A. GENERAL INFORMATION

1 IMPORT HEALTH STANDARD

1.1 Pursuant to section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, this is the import health standard for the importation of dogs and cats into New Zealand from Australia.

1.2 Obtaining biosecurity clearance for each consignment of dogs and cats imported into New Zealand from Australia is dependant upon 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 Import Standards Group Manager.

2 IMPORTER RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1 All costs of selection, testing, treatment, transport, quarantine and veterinary supervision must be borne by the importer or agent as appropriate.

2.2 The importer or agent must make all arrangements for transport and obtain necessary transit authorisation from any third countries on the transport route.

3 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Accredited Veterinarian

A veterinarian accredited to provide export certification on behalf of the Government Veterinary Service.

AQIS

Australian Quarantine Inspection Service

Biosecurity direction

Direction or authorisation given by an Inspector for uncleared goods to proceed to a transitional facility.

Biosecurity clearance

As defined by the Biosecurity Act 1993.

Equivalence

Acceptance by the Import Standards Group Manager that the circumstances relating to the importation of a consignment are such that the health status of the consignment is equivalent to the health status of a consignment that complies with the requirements of the import health standard.

Import Standards Group Manager

The Import Standards Group Manager, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand or any person who for the time being may lawfully exercise and perform the power and functions of the Import Standards Group Manager

Inspector

A person who is appointed as an inspector under section 103 of the Biosecurity Act 1993.

MAF

New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

NZFSA

New Zealand Food Safety Authority

Official Veterinarian

An official veterinarian means a veterinarian authorised by the Veterinary Administration of the country to perform certain designated official tasks associated with animal health and/or public health and inspections of commodities and, when appropriate, to certify in conformity with the provisions of the chapter of the OIE Code pertaining to obligations of certification.

OIE Code

The World Organisation for Animal Health. Terrestrial Animal Health Code.

Transitional facility

As defined by the Biosecurity Act 1993.

Veterinary Officer

A registered veterinarian who is an inspector under the Biosecurity Act employed either by MAF or by a supplier contracted to provide services to MAF.

4 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 animal/s will meet the conditions in every respect.

Occasionally it is found that, due to circumstances beyond the importer's control, the animal/s do not comply completely with the requirements. In such cases an application for equivalence will be considered and issued at the discretion of MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, but only if the following information is forwarded by the certifying government's veterinary authorities:

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

4.2 the reason the animal/s are considered to be of an "equivalent health status" and/or what proposal is made to return the animal/s to an equivalent health status as set-out in the health conditions; and

4.3 the reasons why it is believed that this proposal should be acceptable to the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the recommendation for its acceptance.

PART B. IMPORTATION PROCEDURE

5 ELIGIBILITY FOR IMPORTATION

5.1 Eligibility for importation under this import health standard is confined to members of the species Canis familiaris (domestic dog) and Felis catis (domestic cat).

Dogs of the following breeds (including crosses of these breeds) are not eligible for importation:

• American Pit Bull Terrier;
• Dogo Argentino;
• Japanese Tosa; and
• Brazilian Fila

5.2 The animal must be resident in Australia and free from all quarantine restrictions.

5.3 Animals must not be more than 42 days pregnant at the date of shipment.

5.4 Animals must be more than 8 weeks old at departure, weaned, healthy and fit to travel. In the case of any animals accompanied by their mother, the animals must be at least 6 weeks old at the date of shipment.

5.5 In the case of dogs imported into Australia directly from New Zealand and present in Australia for less than 2 months prior to re-export to New Zealand, the heartworm tests in clause 4.1of the Veterinary Certificate A need not be performed. In this case, the dog should be accompanied by copies of the export health certification used to export the dog from New Zealand to Australia.

6 DOCUMENTATION

6.1 A permit to import is not required.

6.2 All the required documentation must accompany the animals to New Zealand. The required documentation is detailed below:

6.2.1 Zoosanitary Certificate

6.2.2 Owner’s Declaration

6.2.3 Veterinary Certificate A

6.2.4 Veterinary Certificate B

6.2.5 Laboratory test results

7 HEALTH CERTIFICATION

7.1 The required health tests and treatments are stated in Veterinary Certificate A. Certification to this effect must be signed by a registered veterinarian in Australia.

7.2 Certification to the effect of Veterinary Certificate B is to be signed by an AQIS Veterinary Officer.

7.3 All serological tests must be conducted at an AQIS or AQIS approved laboratory.

8 TRANSPORT TO NEW ZEALAND

8.1 If transported by air, the animal must be carried in an approved container that meets the International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards

8.2 The container must be nose and paw proof, ie. only have ventilation openings of such size that it is impossible for the animal to protrude its nose or paws outside the container.

8.3 The container must be new or thoroughly cleaned prior to use. The container must be free of dirt, ticks and fleas.

8.4 If consigned by sea (N.B. does not include transport on private yachts), the Master of the vessel must certify that the imported animal was confined on board and has had no contact with animals not of a tested equivalent health status at each port of call.

8.5 Consignment by sea requires prior approval of the transport method and route by the Import Standards Group Manager.

8.6 No animals other than those qualified for entry into Australia or New Zealand are permitted to be carried on the aircraft or vessel.

8.7 The use of straw or hay as bedding is not permitted. Only sterilised peat, soft board or other inert approved product may be used.

8.8 The container may only be transshipped (change of aircraft or vessel) in countries or territories that are rabies free or where rabies is well controlled (as recognised by MAF Biosecurity New Zealand).

Transshipment will require the specific authorisation of the government veterinary authority of the country in which transshipment occurs.

8.9 MAF Biosecurity New Zealand must be notified at least 72 hours before the expected time of arrival of any animal, giving the flight number/ship number and arrival time.

8.9.1 Please use the following email address or phone number depending on the intended port of arrival of the animal:

Auckland mqsakac@maf.govt.nz 00 64 9 909 8631

Wellington mqswlg@maf.govt.nz 00 64 4 894 4213

Christchurch mqschc@maf.govt.nz 00 64 3 943 3803

PART C. CLEARANCE PROCEDURE

9 BIOSECURITY CLEARANCE

9.1 An inspector under the Biosecurity Act 1993 will examine the consignment on arrival in New Zealand. Providing the documentation is in order and no ticks are found on the animal or container, a biosecurity clearance will be issued.

9.2 The animals bedding and any toys/garments in the container must be removed and destroyed

9.3 If the documentation is not in order the animal will be held by MAF Biosecurity New Zealand and the details of the non-compliance referred to Animal Imports, Border Standards Directorate, for direction.

9.4 If fleas or ticks are found they will be removed and the animal taken to an approved transitional facility operating to one of the following MAF Biosecurity New Zealand standards:

154.02.09 Standard for dog and cat transitional facilities

154.02.03 Standard transitional facilities for non-compliant dogs and cats

The animal will be treated for fleas/ticks and kept in the transitional facility. A biosecurity clearance will be issued, assuming the veterinary certificate is otherwise compliant, when the supervising veterinarian is satisfied that the animal and container are flea/tick-free.

In the case of a dog with ticks intercepted, the dog must be held until it has tested negative for Babesia gibsoni. The sampling for this test (PCR) must be taken at least 48 hours after the tick/s have been removed. Any bedding/toys/garments used in the transitional facility must be destroyed

9.5 If a dog or cat is unable to be examined by an inspector due to it being irritable or fractious it will be directed to a MAF Biosecurity New Zealand approved transitional facility where it will be either:

9.5.1 inspected by an NZFSA Verification Agency veterinarian (animal’s temperament allowing); OR

9.5.2 held in quarantine for a period of no less than 10 days

9.6 There is a fee for the inspection of the animal and associated certification. Any additional clearance related costs must also be paid by the importer. (ie, destruction of bedding/toys/garments, quarantine and VA veterinarian inspection)

9.7 Please allow at least 2 hours from the time the flight arrives for the clearance of compliant dogs and cats.

10 SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

10.1 On arrival, the New Zealand address at which the animal will be domiciled should be verified as being that which is specified in section III of the Zoosanitary Certificate.

10.2 Pursuant to section 121 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, an inspector may visit the premises to examine the imported animal at any reasonable time.

10.3 Any illness in the imported animal should be reported to a private veterinary practitioner who has an obligation to report any suspicion of exotic disease to Biosecurity New Zealand.

10.4 All dogs should be registered with the local government authority within 14 days of arrival in New Zealand.

10.5 Recommendations for New Zealand dog owners importing a dog from countries where canine heartworm is endemic:

10.5.1 dog should be tested by a veterinarian for heartworm 7 months after importation using the microfilariae concentration test, and an antigen test;

10.5.2 New Zealanders who take their dogs to countries where canine heartworm is endemic should ensure that the dogs are given prophylactic treatment according to the manufacturer’s recommendations with appropriate preparations effective against the fourth stage larvae of Dirofilaria immitis.

10.6 All dogs should be registered with the local government authority within 14 days of arrival in New Zealand.

PART D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION

11 MODEL ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION

The following Model Zoosanitary Certificate contains the information required by MAF to accompany imports of dogs and cats from Australia

MODEL ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATE

Species: DOGS AND CATS

To: NEW ZEALAND

Exporting Country: AUSTRALIA

Ministry/Department: AFFA

Service:

Competent Authority: AQIS

I: IDENTIFICATION OF ANIMALS

Name/Identification	Breed	Sex	Date of Birth/Age

Total number of animals:

II: ORIGIN OF THE ANIMALS

Name and address of exporter:

Place of origin of animals:

Port of embarkation:

III: DESTINATION OF ANIMALS

Name and address of consignee:

Means of transport:

Port of arrival:

IV: SANITARY INFORMATION

Owner/exporter’s statutory declaration:

I, do solemnly and sincerely declare, in respect of the dog for export to New Zealand identified below, that:

Name of animal: Breed:

Age: Sex:

Colour/description/identification:

To the best of my knowledge and belief the dog is not one of the following breeds or types: American Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Brazilian Fila, Dogo Argentino (including a cross of one or more of these breeds or types).

Signature of owner or exporter:

Declared at , this day of 20

before me

(signature and printed name person authorised to take a statutory declaration)

Registered Veterinarian declaration:

I, being a registered veterinarian, certify, in respect of the animal described above, that:

After due enquiry and/or physical examination of the animal for export, I have no reason to doubt the owner/exporter’s statutory declaration.

Signature of Registered Veterinarian:

Date:

OWNER/EXPORTER’S DECLARATION

I , the owner of the animals identified in the Export Certificate, declare that:

1 Any female animals are not more than 42 days pregnant at the date of shipment.

2 The animals are more than 8 weeks old at the date of shipment, with the exception of any animals accompanied by their mother in which case the animals are at least 6 weeks old at the date of shipment.

Signature of Owner/Exporter Date

Name and Address:

VETERINARY CERTIFICATE A - REGISTERED VETERINARIAN

I, being a veterinarian registered to practice in Australia certify, after due enquiry, with respect to the animals identified in the Export Certificate:

1 After physical examination I have no reason to doubt the owner/exporter’s declaration.

2 The animal is resident in Australia and is free from all quarantine restrictions.

3 The animal is over 8 weeks of age and is weaned healthy and fit to travel OR the animal is accompanied by its mother and is at least six weeks of age. (delete if not applicable).

4 In the case of a dog over six months of age on the scheduled date of export, it has been tested and treated for canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) according to the following schedule:

4.1 within 30 days of departure one to two mL of blood were collected from the dog and tested negative to the following tests:

4.1.1 a microfilariae concentration test;

Date blood collected for test:

4.1.2 an antigen test (Witness HW, Agen; Snap Heartworm PF, Idexx; PetChek Heartworm PF, Idexx).

Date blood collected for test:

(N.B.: The antigen test must be conducted at an AQIS approved laboratory and the microfilariae concentration test may be performed by a veterinary practitioner.

4.2 within 4 days of the scheduled date of shipment the dog has been treated with either of the following drugs at the respective dose rate:

EITHER

4.2.1 ivermectin at 6 μg/kg

OR

4.2.2 milbemycin at 0.5 mg/kg

OR

4.2.3 moxidectin at 2 - 4 μg/kg

OR

4.2.4 sustained release formulation moxidectin (ProHeart SR-12 Injection) at the approved dose rate.

Date of treatment:

5 In the case of a dog, it has been tested at an AQIS approved laboratory for Babesia gibsoni according to the following schedule:

5.1 Within 10 days from the scheduled date of shipment, a blood sample is collected and a thin blood smear made from a drop of blood obtained from the ear margin.

5.1.1 The serum sample tested negative (cutoff is 1:40) to the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) for Babesia gibsoni using antigens appropriate for the strains likely to be present in all the countries where the dog has been resident.

5.1.2 The blood smear is negative for Babesia gibsoni.

Date blood collected for tests:

6 Parasite treatments for dogs and cats:

6.1 Within 4 days of the scheduled date of shipment the animal was treated with broad spectrum anthelmintic(s) effective against nematodes, cestodes and trematodes, at the manufacturers recommended dose rate(s);

Date of treatment:

Active ingredient(s) and amount given:

6.2 The animal has been treated with a topical application of Fipronil at the recommended dose rate, no more than 10 days and no less than 72 hours prior to the scheduled date of shipment.

Date of treatment:

Active ingredient:

7 Within 4 days of the scheduled date of shipment, I examined the animal/s for export to New Zealand and found it/them to be free from clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease and free from external parasites.

8 The cage in which the animal is to be transported is new or thoroughly cleaned prior to use and is free of dirt and ticks

Veterinarian registered to practice in Australia Date of Signature

Name and address of office:

VETERINARY CERTIFICATE B - AQIS VETERINARIAN

I, an AQIS Official Veterinarian, certify after due enquiry with respect of animal for export to New Zealand identified in the attached Zoosanitary Certificate that:

1 In the 12 months prior to the date of export there have been no cases of the following diseases diagnosed in Australia:

canine ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis) Leptospira interogans var canicola2

2 The veterinarian whose signature appears on Veterinary Certificate A is a registered veterinary practitioner in Australia.

Official Veterinarian Official stamp and date

Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service

Name and address of office:

DOMANIIC.AUS AI-AU09L