Importing Horses from Australia

6 January 2009

horaniic.aus

Issued pursuant to Section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993
Dated: 6 January 2009

The information in this import health standard is in four parts:

Part A. GENERAL INFORMATION describes the legal basis for this import health standard and your general responsibilities as an importer.

Part B. IMPORTATION PROCEDURE outlines whether a permit is required, the conditions of eligibility, and documentation that may need to accompany your consignment.

Part C. CLEARANCE PROCEDURE describes the clearance requirements at the New Zealand border and, if necessary, whether the consignment must go to a transitional facility or containment facility.

Part D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION contains model health certification which must be fully completed and accompany the consignment to New Zealand.

Part E. APPENDIX 1 contains the Veterinary Declaration.

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 horses from Australia.

1.2 To obtain biosecurity clearance the consignment must meet the requirements of this import health standard.

2 IMPORTER'S RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1 It is the importers responsibility to ensure that they are compliant with the current relevant import health standard at the time of importation. Current versions of import health standards are available online. A register of import health standards is also publicly available for inspection at the office of the Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Pastoral House, 25 The Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand.

2.2 The costs to MAF Biosecurity New Zealand in performing functions, powers and duties provided for in the Biosecurity Act 1993 relating to the importation of horses shall be recovered in accordance with the Biosecurity Act 1993 and any regulations made under that Act. All costs involved with documentation, transport, storage and obtaining a biosecurity clearance shall be covered by the importer or agent.

3 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Animal Imports/Exports Group Manager
The Animal Imports/Exports Group Manager, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity New Zealand, or any person who for the time being may lawfully exercise and perform the delegated power and functions of the Animal Imports/Exports Group Manager

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)

Biosecurity direction
Written authority from an inspector, given under Section 25 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, to move uncleared goods from a transitional facility or biosecurity control area to another transitional facility, containment facility or biosecurity control area, or to export those goods from New Zealand

Chief Technical Officer

A person appointed a chief technical officer under section 101 of the Biosecurity Act 1993

Director-General

The chief executive of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

IATA
The International Air Transport Association

Inspector
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 1993 and controls imposed under the Hazardous Substances and New Organism Act 1996).

MAFBNZ
The New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity New Zealand

Official Veterinarian
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 Section 5.2 of the Terrestrial Code pertaining to principles of certification.

OIE Code

The World Organisation for Animal Health Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Any reference in this standard to the OIE Code is to the most current as found on the OIE website: http://www.oie.int/eng/normes/en_mcode.htm

Veterinary Authority

Means the Governmental Authority of an OIE Member, comprising veterinarians, other professionals and para-professionals, having the responsibility and competence for ensuring or supervising the implementation of animal health and welfare measures, international veterinary certification and other standards and recommendations in the Terrestrial Code in the whole territory

4 EQUIVALENCE

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

Occasionally it may be found that, due to circumstances beyond the control of the importer or exporter, a consignment does not comply with the specific requirements in this import health standard, but may meet the outcomes sought. In such cases, a permit to import application may be made, an equivalence granted and import permit issued at the discretion of MAF Biosecurity New Zealand. The following information must be forwarded by the certifying government's veterinary authority for an equivalence to be considered:

• which clause/s of the import health standard cannot be met and how this has occurred;
• the reason the consignment is considered to be of an "equivalent health" status;
• the reasons why the veterinary authority of the country of origin believe this proposal should be acceptable to the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and their recommendation for its acceptance.

PART B. IMPORTATION PROCEDURE

5 PERMIT TO IMPORT

Importations of horses into New Zealand from Australia which meet the requirements of this import health standard may, subject to Sections 27 and 28 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, be given biosecurity clearance and do not require a biosecurity direction to a transitional facility. As such, they do not require a permit to import.

Importations that claim equivalence with the requirements must obtain a permit to import prior to departure from Australia

6 ELIGIBILITY

6.1 This import health standard applies to to species members of the domesticated horse (Equus caballus) or donkey (Equus asinus) imported from Australia

6.2 All horses must be at least one month old.

6.3 In the case of any pregnant mares, the date of transport should not be more than 300 days after the last mating.

6.4 Horses exported from New Zealand to Australia for less than 21 days prior to re-export to New Zealand, do not need to undertake the tests for equine infectious anaemia (EIA) and equine viral arteritis (EVA) described in the Model Zoosanitary Certification. The health status declaration for the Establishment of Origin in the Veterinary Certificate must include all premises the horses may have visited during their stay in Australia. Accurate movement records, and keeping such movements to a minimum, will assist verification by the certifying Official Veterinarian.

6.5 All equipment entering New Zealand with the horses must comply with the import health standard for the importation in to New Zealand of equipment associated with animals or water (refer to the online import health standard search ).

6.6 The animals must be free from all quarantine restrictions to be eligible for export to New Zealand.

7 DOCUMENTATION ACCOMPANYING THE CONSIGNMENT

7.1 The consignment shall be accompanied by appropriately completed health certification that meets the requirements of PART D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION. The laboratory results for the tests specified in the Zoosanitary Certificate must be attached.

7.2 The official veterinarian of the exporting country must sign, date and stamp each page of the veterinary certificate and any documents that form part of the extended health certificate using a different colour ink to the paper and print.

7.3 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 cause delays in obtaining biosecurity clearance or rejection of the consignment.

7.4 Where reliance for import is based on equivalence a permit must have been issued before departure from Australia.

8 TRANSPORT TO NEW ZEALAND

8.1 No animals, other than those destined for New Zealand and officially certified as meeting the requirements of a New Zealand import health standard (or other animals determined to be of an equivalent health status at MAF's discretion) are permitted to be carried on the aircraft or ship.

8.2 Transit through other countries requires approval by the Animal Imports/Exports Group Manager. If approved, arrangements for transit authorities and meeting these countries’ requirements are the responsibility of the importer.

8.3 Date, expected time of arrival and the flight number or ship’s name must be notified to the New Zealand Official Veterinarian at the airport/port of entry at least 72 hours prior to import.

8.4 Containers made of timber must meet the requirements of New Zealand’s wood packaging import health standard (refer to http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/ihs/search).

PART C. CLEARANCE PROCEDURE

9 BIOSECURITY CLEARANCE

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

9.2 A biosecurity clearance may be given by an Inspector under section 26 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 providing that the documentation meets all requirements noted under PART D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION and the consignment meets the conditions of ELIGIBILITY.

PART D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION

10 NEGOTIATED EXPORT CERTIFICATION

The following Model Zoosanitary Certificate contains the information required by MAFBNZ to accompany imports of horses into New Zealand from Australia:

MODEL ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION

Commodity: HORSES

To: NEW ZEALAND

Exporting Country: AUSTRALIA

Competent Authority:

I: IDENTIFICATION OF HORSES

Species/breed:

Age:

Sex:

Identification records are attached to the Zoosanitary Certification. (Identification is by either: (i) brand or microchip number/site; or (ii) an official passport; or (iii) an identification silhouette that notes all distinguishing markings.)

Total number of horses in consignment:

II: ORIGIN OF HORSES

Name and address of owner:

Name and address of exporter:

Place of origin of the horses:

Airport/port of embarkation:

III: DESTINATION OF HORSES

Name and address of importer:

Means of transport:

Airport/port of arrival:

IV: SANITARY INFORMATION

VETERINARY CERTIFICATE

I, an Official Veterinarian authorised by the Government of Australia certify, after due enquiry, with respect to the horses identified in this Zoosanitary Certificate that:

1 COUNTRY/REGION DISEASE FREEDOM AND RESIDENCY

1.1 Japanese encephalitis virus (JEv):

The horses were:

Either: 1.1.1 resident for at least the previous 21 days in a part of Australia where JEv has never been reported.

Or: 1.1.2 imported into Australia from a country that is free of JEv AND since importation have been resident in a part of Australia where JEv has never been reported.

Or: 1.1.3 imported into Australia from a country where JEv is endemic AND were vaccinated against JEv with an inactivated vaccine prior to importation into Australia. Vaccination records showing current vaccination against JEv must be attached to the Zoosanitary Certificate.

(Delete as appropriate)

1.2 Equine influenza:

Australia is a country free from equine influenza.

2 ANIMALS FOR EXPORT

2.1. No mare in the consignment is more than 300 days pregnant.

2.2. No horse in the consignment is less than 1 month of age.

2.3. The horses were free from all quarantine restrictions prior to export to New Zealand.

3 ESTABLISHMENT OF ORIGIN

3.1. The horses were resident since birth, or immediately prior to export for the period specified in brackets, on premises where there was no evidence of any of the following diseases during period of time specified:

• equine infectious anaemia (3 months)
• equine viral abortion (EHV-1, including neurological disease) (3 months)
• equine viral arteritis (3 months)
• Hendra virus in horses (3 months)
• anthrax (20 days)
• melioidosis (3 months)

4. TESTING/TREATMENTS

4.1. All laboratory testing was conducted at a laboratory accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia. Export testing and laboratory result sheets are stamped and signed by the Australian Official Veterinarian and are attached to the consignment.

4.2 Equine infectious anaemia* (EIA):

The horses were tested with negative results for EIA virus using an agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test or an ELISA during the 21 days prior to export.

Test used:

Date of sampling:

(*Import testing requirement does not apply to:

• unweaned foals less than 6 months of age accompanied by their negative tested dam, and
• horses exported from New Zealand to Australia for less than 21 days prior to re-export to New Zealand.)

4.3. Equine viral arteritis* (EVA):

(*Import testing requirement does not apply to:

• unweaned foals less than 6 months of age accompanied by their negative tested dam, and
• horses exported from New Zealand to Australia for less than 21 days prior to re-export to New Zealand.)

4.3.1. Entire male horses older than 12 months of age (actual age) were:

Either

4.3.1.1 tested for EVA virus with negative results using a virus neutralisation test during the 28 days prior to export

Date of sampling:

Or 4.3.1.2 in the case of a stallion that is seropositive for EVA virus. Since seroconversion and during the 12 month period prior to export, the stallion has been tested with negative results by virus isolation on the sperm rich fraction of two separate semen samples

Date(s) stallion was blood sampled and seropositive

Date(s) of semen sampling:

Or 4.3.1.3 in the case of a stallion that is seropositive for EVA virus. Since seroconversion and during the 12 month period prior to export, the stallion has been test mated to two mares which were subjected to the virus neutralisation test on two blood samples, one collected at the time of test mating and the other 28 days after mating, with negative results.

Date(s) stallion was blood sampled and seropositive

Dates mares were blood sampled:

Or 4.3.1.4 vaccinated* against EVA virus under official veterinary control and have been re-vaccinated at least annually.

Date(s) of vaccination:

(*Approved programmes for initial vaccination are as follows:

a) Vaccinated on the day a blood sample was taken which was subjected to the virus neutralisation test with a negative result.

b) Vaccinated during a period of isolation of not more than 15 days, commencing on the day a blood sample was taken which was subjected to the virus neutralisation test with a negative result.

c) Vaccinated when the stallion was at an age of 180 to 270 days during a period of isolation, during which two blood samples taken at least 10 days apart were subjected to the virus neutralisation test and demonstrated a negative, stable or declining antibody titre.)

(Delete whichever clause is NOT appropriate)

4.3.2. For an EVA seropositive stallion a Veterinary Declaration is attached (see Appendix 1) that has been signed by a veterinarian indicating that there is no evidence of the stallion ever shedding virus in semen or being treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist.

(Delete if NOT appropriate)

5. PARASITE TREATMENTS

5.1. Within 48 hours prior to the scheduled date of export the horses were treated as follows:

5.1.1. For ectoparasites:

product(s) with efficacy against flies, ticks, lice and mites was applied according to the manufacturer’s recommendations:

Ectoparasiticide(s) used:

Dose rate:

Date of treatment:

5.1.2 For endoparasites:

a macrocyclic lactone compound according to the manufacturer’s recommendations:

Endoparasiticide used:

Dose rate:

Date of treatment:

6. FOR HORSES EXPORTED FROM CATTLE TICK INFECTED AREAS

(Delete clause 6 if NOT applicable)

6.1. Horses were fully stabled for a minimum period of 3 days immediately prior to export to New Zealand; AND

6.2. Prior to this 3 day-minimum period of isolation, both the horses and the stabled environment were sprayed with a registered acaricide, and no livestock was held within 100 metres of the isolation premise; AND

6.3. During the last 3 days of this isolation period, food and bedding of horses were found to be free of evidence of ticks; AND

6.4. During the last 3 days of the isolation period, the horses were thoroughly inspected for ticks and found to be free of evidence of ticks (horses infested with ticks shall be retreated until free of evidence of ticks).

7. VETERINARY INSPECTIONS

7.1 Within 48 hours prior to the scheduled date of export and after the treatments administered in section 5.1, the horses were thoroughly examined by a registered veterinarian and were found to be free of evidence of ticks. A systematic approach was undertaken with close examination of ears, false nostrils, under body areas (axillary, inguinal, submandibular), perineum, mane and tail.

Either 7.1.1 The horses were free of evidence of ticks;

Or 7.1.2 Ticks were found, but subsequent re-inspection after repeated treatment determined that there was no evidence of tick infection.

(Delete whichever clause is NOT appropriate)

7.2 Within 48 hours prior to the scheduled date of export the horses were examined by a registered veterinarian and were found to be free of clinical signs of infectious disease and were fit to travel.

7.3 Within 48 hours prior to the scheduled date of export the horses were examined by a registered veterinarian and were found to be free of evidence of contamination with seed/s and faecal matter

Either 7.3.1 No seeds or faecal matter were found;

Or 7.3.2 Seeds or faecal matter was found, but subsequent re-inspection after bathing /grooming determined that there was no evidence of contamination with seeds or faecal matter.

8. TRANSPORT

8.1 The vehicle for transport of the horses for export to New Zealand to the port of departure was cleaned and disinfected with a virucidal disinfectant prior to the loading of the horses if it was previously used to transport horses under quarantine restrictions.

8.2 The crates or pens to be used for transporting the horses to New Zealand are either new or, if previously used, have been cleaned and disinfected with a virucidal disinfectant since last carrying horses under quarantine restrictions.

8.3 The crates or pens used for transport of horses from New Zealand to Australia and to be used for transport of horses to New Zealand have been cleaned and disinfected between consignments with a virucidal disinfectant.

8.4 All feed loaded for use during transport to the port of departure and to New Zealand was visibly free from evidence of contamination with ticks.

8.5 Only sterile peat, soft board treated wood shaving, shredded paper or other inert approved products was loaded for use as bedding during transportation.

8.6 No other animals are being transported on the aircraft or ship except those certified by an official veterinarian as eligible for export to New Zealand.

8.7 In the case of transport by:

• Air: the container/s meet the design principles published in the IATA Live Animal Regulations
• Sea: the transport facilities and arrangements were inspected and they meet the requirements of the Australian Marine Orders Part 43, Issue 2 (which is equivalent to the New Zealand Marine Rules Part 24C).

8.8 For horses being transported by air, the cargo space of the aircraft in which the horses will be transported was sprayed with a registered insecticidal spray or a current “Certificate of Residual Disinsection” has been verified.

Date: :…………………………

Signature of Official Veterinarian supervising pre-export preparations:

Official stamp and date:……………………………………………………………………………

Name and address of office:……………………………………………………………………….

N.B. Signature and Official stamp must be applied to all pages.

PART E. APPENDIX 1

VETERINARY DECLARATION

I, , the veterinarian who holds the records for the equine viral arteritis virus seropositive stallion identified in the attached Zoosanitary Certificate, certify after due enquiry of the owner of the stallion and examination of relevant records relating to the horse's breeding life that:

• there is no evidence to indicate that the stallion has shed equine viral arteritis virus in his semen at any time

AND

• there is no evidence to indicate that the stallion has ever been treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist.

Signature of Veterinarian: Date

Name and address