Importing Dogs and cats from Sweden

11 September 2007

domaniic.swe

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 Sweden.

1.2 Obtaining biosecurity clearance for each consignment of dogs and cats imported into New Zealand from Sweden 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 DEFINITIONS

Accredited Veterinarian

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

Biosecurity clearance

A clearance under section 26 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 for the entry of goods into New Zealand.

Biosecurity direction

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

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.

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 or products 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;

4.3 the reasons why it is believed that this proposal should be acceptable to MAF Biosecurity New Zealand 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 animals must have been resident in Sweden for the 6 months prior to export or since birth, and the animals must be free of 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 16 weeks old at departure.

5.5 Animals imported directly from New Zealand into Sweden may be re-exported to New Zealand with less than 6 months residency under the following additional conditions:

5.5.1 the animal has resided continuously in Sweden since being imported directly from New Zealand;

5.5.2 the animal was identified by microchip prior to departure from New Zealand.

5.5.3 Animals imported under the above conditions will require a letter of equivalence to be issued exempting the animal from the residency requirements prior to departure from New Zealand.

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 Veterinary Certificate A

6.2.3 Veterinary Certificate B

6.2.4 Laboratory test results

7 IDENTIFICATION

7.1 Each animal must be identified with a microchip and the identification details must be shown on the accompanying certification. For dogs to be first registered in New Zealand the microchip must conform to the Dog Control (Microchip Transponder) Regulations 2005, which reference NZ/ISO 11784:2001 and NZ/ISO 11785:2001. If the animal is identified with a microchip that does not conform to these regulations and standards then the importer shall ensure that a reader is made available to identify animals arriving in New Zealand quarantine, and the dog will likely have to have a second conforming microchip inserted for registration.

7.2 The identity of the animal must be confirmed by reading the microchip each time a treatment, vaccine or test is performed, and at the time of export certification.

8 HEALTH CERTIFICATION

8.1 The required health tests and treatments are stated in Veterinary Certificate A.

8.2 All serological tests must be conducted at a Government, or Government approved laboratory and all test results must be accompany the exported animal.

 

9 TRANSPORT TO NEW ZEALAND

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

9.2 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.

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

9.4 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.

9.5 Consignment by sea requires prior approval of the transport method and route by the Import Standards Group Manager, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand.

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

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

9.8 The door of the transport container must be sealed with a government approved seal before the container is loaded into the aircraft or vessel in the country of origin. The number or mark on the seal is to be recorded in Veterinary Certificate B. The construction of the container and the placement of the seal must be such that the container cannot be readily opened without breaking the seal. If the container is opened during shipment it shall be re-sealed and a certificate detailing the circumstances provided by an Official Veterinarian, Port Authority or Captain of the aircraft. Instructions to this effect should be attached to the outside of the transport container.

9.9 The container may only be trans-shipped (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).

These countries and territories include:

Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Argentina, Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Falkland Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Guam, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Macau, Malta, Mauritius, The Netherlands, Netherland Antilles and Aruba, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Croatia, Republic of Slovenia, Reunion, Sabah, Sarawak, Seychelles, South Korea, Spain, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent Grenadin, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Uruguay, US Virgin Islands, Wallis and Futuna.

American Samoa, Christmas Island, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Island, Saipan, Solomon Islands, Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, Western Samoa.

Australia, Japan, New Caledonia, Hawaii, Singapore, Sweden, Norway, Eire (Republic of Ireland) & Fiji.

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

9.10 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.

9.10.1 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

10 BIOSECURITY CLEARANCE

10.1 An inspector under the Biosecurity Act 1993 will examine the consignment on arrival in New Zealand. Providing the documentation is in order, the seal of the container is intact, and no ticks are found on the animal, in the bedding or container a biosecurity clearance will be issued. NOTE: There is a fee associated with issuing a biosecurity clearance.

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

10.3 If the documentation and seal are 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

10.4 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

10.5 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:

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

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

10.6 A fee will apply for the inspection of the animal and associated certification. Any other additional costs must also be paid by the importer (ie, destruction of any bedding/toys/garments, quarantine and veterinarian inspection)

10.7 Please allow for at least 2 hours from the time the flight arrives for the clearance procedure.

11 SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

11.1 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.

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

11.3 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 MAF Biosecurity New Zealand.

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

PART D: ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION

12 MODEL ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION

The following Model Zoosanitary Certificate contains the information required by MAF to accompany imports of dogs and cats into New Zealand from Sweden.

MODEL ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATE:

Species: DOGS AND CATS

To: NEW ZEALAND

Exporting Country: SWEDEN

Competent Authority:

I: IDENTIFICATION OF ANIMALS

1. Microchip identification number:
2. Anatomical site of microchip:
3. Physical description of animal:
4. Name:
5. Breed:
6. Sex:
7. Date of Birth:
8. Total number of animals:

II: ORIGIN OF THE ANIMALS

1. Name(s) and address(es) of exporter(s):
2. Place(s) of origin of animals:
3. Port of embarkation:

III: DESTINATION OF ANIMALS

1. Name and address of consignee:
2. Means of transport:
3. 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:

1 VETERINARY CERTIFICATE A

I, an Official Veterinarian, or a veterinarian accredited to provide export certification on behalf of the Government Veterinary Service (here-after called the Accredited Veterinarian), certify with respect to the animal/s identified in the attached Zoosanitary Certificate:

1 After due enquiry, I am satisfied that the animal has been continuously resident in the country or territory of origin for the 6 months prior to export and is not under quarantine restrictions.

2 After due enquiry and physical examination, I am satisfied that the animal will not be more than 42 days pregnant at the scheduled time of shipment.

3 After due enquiry and physical examination, I am satisfied that the animal will be more than 16 weeks old at the scheduled time of shipment.

4 The animal is identified with an implanted transponder/microchip.

Microchip number:

Anatomical site implanted:

5 In the case of a dog, within 30 days prior to the scheduled date of shipment, the dog has been tested for the following diseases:

5.1 Brucella canis

EITHER

5.1.1 using the slide agglutination test (microscopic agglutination test), with a negative result in each case;

Date blood collected for test:

(Note: a rapid slide agglutination test using 2-mercaptoethanol and a less mucoid (M-) variant of Brucella canis as antigen (as described by Carmichael and Joubert, Cornell Vet. 1987, 77: 3-12) is recommended to reduce the incidence of false positive reactions.)

OR

5.1.2 using the AGID I (cell wall antigen) test. If this test result is positive, then the dog has been tested with negative results using the AGID II (cytoplasmic antigen) test, for Brucella canis.

Date blood collected for AGID I test:

Date blood collected for AGID II test (if applicable):

(Delete whichever of 5.1.1 or 5.1.2 is not applicable)

5.2 Leptospirosis using the agglutination-lysis test for leptospirosis serotype Leptospira canicola with;

EITHER

5.2.1 negative results (negative is less than 50% agglutination at 1:100);

Date blood collected for test:

OR

5.2.2 where the first sample shows a positive titre of not more than 1:400, a second sample collected at an interval of not less than 14 days must show no increase in the titre above that of the first test;

Date blood collected for test 1:

Date blood collected for test 2:

OR

5.2.3 the dog has been treated with doxycycline at a therapeutic dose rate for 14 consecutive days, or dihydrostreptomycin at a therapeutic dose rate for 5 days, during the 30 days prior to the scheduled shipment.

Medication and dose rate:

Dates of treatment:

(Delete whichever of 5.2.1, 5.2.2 or 5.2.3 is not applicable)

6 In the case of a dog, within 10 days of the scheduled date of shipment a blood sample and a thin blood smear made from a drop of blood obtained from an ear margin are collected, at the same time, and the following tests performed:

6.1 Indirect fluorescent antibody test for Babesia gibsoni using antigens appropriate for the strain likely to be present in all the countries where the dog has been resident, with a negative result (cutoff is 1:40).

AND

6.2 Examination of blood smear with negative result for Babesia gibsoni.

Date blood collected for tests:

7 In the case of a dog and/or cat:

7.1 Within 30 days of the scheduled date of shipment, the animal was subject to two faecal examinations, at least 14 days apart, using a sensitive flotation procedure (able to detect 50 eggs per gram) which was negative for hookworm eggs;

Date of faecal collection for first test;

Date of faecal collection for second test:

7.2 Within 30 days of the scheduled date of shipment the animal was treated twice, at least 14 days apart, with a broad spectrum anthelmintic(s) effective against nematodes, cestodes and trematodes, at the manufacturers recommended dose rate(s);

Date of first treatment:

Active ingredient(s) and amount given:

Date of second treatment:

Active ingredient(s) and amount given:

7.3 No more than 10 days and no less than 2 days prior to the scheduled date of shipment, the animal was treated with a topical application of Fipronil at the recommended dose rate;

Date of treatment:

Active ingredient:

8 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 diseases and free from external parasites.

9 All serological tests were conducted at a Government laboratory or a laboratory approved by the Government Veterinary Service of this country and the results are attached to this certificate.

i) Accredited Veterinarian or Date of Signature

ii) Official Veterinarian

(Delete whichever of i) or ii) is not applicable*)

Name and address of office:

* In the case of i) being applicable:

I, an Official Veterinarian certify

that............................................................. is accredited for the purpose of providing

veterinary export certification for dogs and cats.

Official Veterinarian Official stamp and date

Name and address of office:

2 VETERINARY CERTIFICATE B

I, the Official Veterinarian at the port of export certify in regards to the animal 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 the country of export:

rabies

canine erlichiosis (Erlichia canis)

canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis)

2 If the animal was held in an official quarantine premises at any time in the past 8 months, rabies has not been diagnosed in that premises during or since the presence of the animal in the quarantine premises.

3 I have confirmed the identity of the animal by reading the implanted transponder/microchip:

Microchip number:

Anatomical site implanted:

4 The animal was inspected and found to be healthy and fit to travel, and free from the clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease.

5 All the required documents were examined and found to be correctly completed in accordance with New Zealand import health standard requirements.

6 The animal was placed in a container that meets IATA standards. The container was new or thoroughly cleaned prior to use. It is free of dirt and ticks and was fastened with an official seal bearing the number or mark:

Official Veterinarian Official stamp and date

Name and address of office:

DOMANIIC.SWE AI-SE010