Importing Horse semen from Canada

8 August 2005

horsemic.can

Issued pursuant to Section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993
Dated: 8 August 2005

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 that must be completed by the appropriate personnel as indicated in the certification and accompany the consignment to New Zealand.

Part E. APPENDICES

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 horse semen from Canada.

1.2 Obtaining biosecurity clearance for each consignment of horse semen imported into New Zealand from Canada is dependent 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 Biosecurity Standards Group Manager.

2 Importer's Responsibilities

2.1 The costs of MAF in performing functions relating to the importation of horse 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/or biosecurity clearance shall be borne by the importer or agent.

3 Definition of Terms

Biosecurity clearance

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

Biosecurity Standards Group Manager

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

CFIA

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Equivalence

Acceptance by the Biosecurity 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

MAF

The New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

New Zealand Inspector

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

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 chapter of the OIE Code pertaining to principles of certification

OIE Code

The Office International des Epizooties Terrestrial Animal Health Code

4 Equivalence

This import health standard is in accordance with agreements between the exporting country and New Zealand. Biosecurity clearance will not normally be given to a consignment that does not meet the requirements of this import health standard in every respect.

Occasionally it is found that due to circumstances beyond the control of the importer or exporter a consignment does not comply with the requirements of this import health standard. In such cases, an application for equivalence submitted prior to importation will be considered and may be given at the discretion of the Biosecurity Standards Group Manager if the following information is provided by the exporting country’s government veterinary authority:

4.1 the clause(s) of the import health standard that cannot be met and how this has occurred;

4.2 the reason(s) why the consignment may be considered of equivalent health status to a consignment complying with this import health standard, and/or what proposal is made to achieve an equivalent health status;

4.3 the reason(s) why the veterinary authority believes this proposal should be acceptable to MAF and their recommendation for its acceptance.

PART B. IMPORTATION PROCEDURE

5 Permit to Import

5.1 Importations of horse semen into New Zealand from Canada that meet the requirements of this import health standard may, subject to sections 27 and 28 of the Biosecurity Act, 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.

6 Eligibility

6.1 The horse semen must be in straws, ampoules or other sealed containers. Semen in pellets is not eligible.

6.2 Fresh/chilled or frozen horse semen is eligible for importation.

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.

7 Documentation Accompanying the Consignment

7.1 The consignment shall be accompanied by appropriately completed health certification, which meets the requirements of PART D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION.

7.2 Documentation shall be in English, but may be bilingual (language of exporting country/English).

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 result in delays in obtaining biosecurity direction and/or clearance or rejection of consignments.

PART C. CLEARANCE PROCEDURE

8 Biosecurity Clearance

8.1 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.

8.2 Providing that the documentation meets all requirements noted under PART D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION and the consignment meets the conditions of ELIGIBILITY, the consignment may, subject to sections 27 and 28 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, be given a biosecurity clearance pursuant to section 26 of the Biosecurity Act 1993.

PART D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION

9 NEGOTIATED EXPORT CERTIFICATION

9.1 The following Model Zoosanitary Certificate contains the information required by MAF to accompany imports of horse semen into New Zealand from Canada:

MODEL ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION

Commodity: HORSE SEMEN

To: NEW ZEALAND

Exporting Country: CANADA

Competent Authority:

I: IDENTIFICATION OF DONOR STALLIONS

Identification:

Species:

Breed:

Premises of origin:

II: INFORMATION CONCERNING THE HORSE SEMEN

Date(s) of semen collection:

Identification of straws/ampoules (markings to be indelible):

Number of straws/ampoules:

III: ORIGIN OF THE HORSE SEMEN

Name and address of owner:

Name and address of exporter:

Name and address of approved semen collection centre:

IV: DESTINATION OF THE HORSE SEMEN

Name and address of importer:

V: SANITARY INFORMATION

VETERINARY CERTIFICATE

I, an Official Veterinarian authorised by the Canadian Government certify, after due enquiry, with respect to the donor stallions and semen identified in this Zoosanitary Certificate, that:

1 Country disease freedom and residency

1.1 The donor stallions were resident continuously for at least 6 months immediately prior to semen collection in either Canada and/or the USA, which are free of African horse sickness, Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis, glanders and dourine, which are compulsorily notifiable diseases.

2 Establishment of origin

2.1 The donor stallions were resident continuously for the period specified in brackets, immediately prior to semen collection, on premises in Canada in which no case of the following diseases or any other notifiable disease of equines has occurred:

• equine viral arteritis (21 days)
• vesicular stomatitis (30 days)
• equine infectious anaemia (90 days)
• Salmonella abortus equi (90 days)

2.2 During the 30 days immediately prior to semen collection, the donor stallions were resident on premises in Canada where equine viral arteritis (EVA) shedder stallions are not known to have been present.

3 Donor males and semen collection centre

3.1 The donor stallions were resident at the time of collection on a semen collection centre approved by an Official Veterinarian according to the New Zealand MAF Standard for Equine Semen Collection Centres Collecting Semen for Export to New Zealand (see PART E - APPENDIX 2).

Date of last inspection:

Date of entry onto the semen collection centre:

3.2 The centre is approved by CFIA to collect semen for export, and is inspected at 6 monthly intervals by an Official Veterinarian.

Date of last inspection:

4 Semen collection

4.1 On the day(s) of collection of semen, the donor stallions were free from any evidence of infectious diseases caused by micro-organisms transmissible in semen.

4.2 All products of animal origin, other than egg yolk, used in the collection, processing and storage of the horse semen were certified as either sterile preparations or as having been screened for adventitious viruses, including tests for cytopathology in appropriate cell cultures, for haemagglutinating and haemadsorbent viruses, and for pestiviruses by immunoperoxidase or immunofluorescence techniques, with negative results in each case.

4.3 All biological products have been handled in a manner that ensures their sterility was maintained.

4.4 An effective combination of antibiotics was added to the semen extender/diluent. The combination must produce an effect at least equivalent to the following:

500 IU per ml streptomycin; or

500 IU per ml penicillin; or

150 µg per ml lincomycin; or

300 µg per ml spectinomycin

Names and concentrations of antibiotics included in semen diluent are as follows:

4.5 Immediately after the addition of the antibiotics, the diluted semen was kept at a temperature of at least 15^oC for a period of not less than 45 minutes.

4.6 The semen was collected, processed and stored under the supervision of a CFIA approved semen collection centre veterinarian in accordance with the New Zealand MAF Standard for Equine Semen Collection Centres Collecting Semen for Export to New Zealand (see PART E - APPENDIX 2)

5 Testing

5.1 Equine infectious anaemia (EIA):

The donor stallions were subjected to the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test or competitive-ELISA for EIA not less than 21 days after entry onto the semen collection centre, with negative results.

Test used:

Date of sampling:

5.2 Equine viral arteritis (EVA):

Either

5.2.1 The donor stallions were subjected to a virus neutralisation (VN) test for EVA not less than 21 days after entering the semen collection centre which demonstrated a negative result.

Date of sampling:

Or

5.2.2 The donor stallions were vaccinated against EVA under official veterinary control and have been re-vaccinated at regular intervals (at least annually).

Date(s) of vaccination(s):

[N.B. Approved programmes for initial vaccination are as follows:

1. vaccination on the day a blood sample was taken which was subjected to the VN test with a negative result, or
2. vaccination 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 VN test with a negative result, or
3. vaccination 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 VN test and demonstrated a negative, stable or declining antibody titre.]

Or

5.2.3 For donor stallions seropositive to EVA:

5.2.3.1 Donor stallions seropositive to EVA were tested during the 12

months prior to export and were found not to be semen carriers.

Test used:

Date(s) of sampling:

And

5.2.3.2 A Veterinary Declaration (signed by the veterinarian who deals with the stallion), indicating that there is no evidence of the stallion ever shedding EVA in semen or being treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist is attached (see Model Veterinary Declaration – PART E - APPENDIX 1).

[Approved methods for determining semen carriers are as follows:

1. test mating to two mares which were subjected to VN tests with negative results on two blood samples, one collected at the time of test mating and the other 28 days after mating, or
2. virus isolation on cell culture carried out on the sperm rich fraction of two separate semen samples with negative results.]

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

5.3 Taylorella asinigenitalis and Taylorella equigenitalis:

5.3.1 During the breeding season in which the semen for export is collected, the donor stallion has been tested for Taylorella asinigenitalis and Taylorella equigenitalis by swabbing and culture on two occasions, with a negative result in each case. The swabs must be taken at 5-7 day intervals in the following sites: the prepuce, the urethral sinus, and the fossa glandis (including its diverticulum)

Dates of sampling: .

5.3.2 If testing occurred prior to the collection of semen for export, since the date of first swabbing for Taylorella asinigenitalis and Taylorella equigenitalis until the time of collection for export, the donor stallion has not been naturally mated, except to mares of equivalent health status.

5.3.3 All testing was conducted at a laboratory approved by CFIA to conduct export testing, and a summary of laboratory test results for the tests specified in the Zoosanitary Certificate are attached.

6 Storage and transport

6.1 All straws are clearly marked with the identification of the donor stallion and the date of semen collection. If a code is used for this information, its decipher must accompany the consignment.

6.2 The semen was stored only with other semen or embryos that were eligible for export to New Zealand. The containers were held in a CFIA approved storage facility under the direct supervision of the semen centre veterinarian until export.

6.3 The semen was placed in new or disinfected transport containers. For frozen semen the containers were filled with fresh (previously unused) liquid nitrogen.

Method of disinfection (if applicable):

Date of disinfection (if applicable):

6.4 Prior to export, the container in which the semen is to be transported was sealed by an official veterinarian, using seals bearing the marks:

Name and Signature of Official Veterinarian Official Stamp and Date

Name and address of office:

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

PART E APPENDICES

Appendix 1 Veterinary Declaration

I, the undersigned, , (the veterinarian holding records for the horse identified in the attached Zoosanitary Certificate) have made due enquiry of the owner of the horse identified in the attached Zoosanitary Certificate and have examined relevant records relating to the horse's breeding life, and declare that:

1. there is no evidence to indicate that the stallion has shed equine arteritis virus in his semen at any time
   AND
2. there is no evidence to indicate that the stallion has ever been treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist.

Name and Signature of Veterinarian:

Date:

Appendix 2 New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Standard for Horse Semen Collection Centres Collecting Semen for Export to New Zealand

1 HEALTH STATUS

1.1 The centre must have remained free from the following diseases for the indicated calendar period prior to collection of semen for export to New Zealand:

• vesicular stomatitis (21 days)
• equine viral arteritis (30 days)
• equine infectious anaemia (90 days) and
• Salmonella abortus-equi (90 days).

1.2 During the 30 days immediately prior to semen collection, the donor stallions were resident on premises where EVA shedder stallions are not known to have been present.

1.3 Following any previous case of the above diseases, testing of all horses subsequent to removal of the case must be undertaken to re-establish freedom from disease. The centre must then remain free from further cases for the indicated calendar period.

1.4 All horses on the centre during the period of semen collection for export to New Zealand must be of an equivalent health status as eligible donor stallions.

2 LOCATION

2.1 The centre may be located on an established horse enterprise. In that case, the entire premises should meet the health status requirements noted at 1.1 above. For the duration of the period of collection of semen for export to New Zealand, contact between horses on the centre and other horses not of equivalent health status must be prevented.

2.2 The centre must be conveniently located for supervision by an official veterinarian authorised by the Canadian Government.

3 FACILITIES

3.1 The centre must be surrounded by two secure stock-proof fences at least 5 metres apart except where the wall of a building forms part of the perimeter. (Exceptions may be approved by MAF if they are considered to provide equivalent quarantine security.)

3.2 Stables on the centre must be so constructed that they can be readily cleaned and disinfected.

3.3 The centre shall have facilities for veterinary examination of animals and the collection of samples, and facilities for the segregation and isolation of sick animals.

3.4 Semen must be processed in a room or building or mobile laboratory set aside for that purpose, separate from areas where animals are housed and where semen is collected. All working surfaces in this facility must be cleaned and disinfected before use.

4 OPERATION

4.1 The centre is approved by CFIA to collect semen for export and is under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian authorised by CFIA. The centre is inspected at 6 monthly intervals by an official veterinarian.

4.2 Prior to each period of collection of semen for export to New Zealand, a licensed veterinarian authorised by CFIA must be satisfied that all equipment and working surfaces likely to come into contact with semen for export or personnel handling semen have been appropriately cleaned and disinfected.

4.3 All measures described in the zoosanitary certification, including identification of donor stallion and semen, disease testing, semen collection, processing and storage must be supervised by a licensed veterinarian authorised by CFIA or an official veterinarian.

4.4 Liners used in artificial vaginas during the collection process should be:

Either

4.4.1 new disposal liners on each occasion;

Or

4.4.2 re-usable rubber liners dedicated to individual stallions, which have been thoroughly cleaned and dried between each use.

4.5 Personnel collecting and processing semen must be trained in, and practice, proper disinfection procedures and hygiene techniques.

4.6 Semen must be stored in a facility registered by CFIA and under the direct supervision of the centre veterinarian.

4.7 Any health problems affecting horses or other stock on the centre during the collection period must be promptly reported to the official veterinarian, who shall investigate in order to rule out infectious diseases of concern during trade in horse semen.

4.8 Records detailing identification of all horses on the centre, their origins, dates of entry, dates and results of disease tests or investigations, treatments either therapeutic or prophylactic, any departures from good health and condition, inspection visits by the official veterinarian, and any other information relevant to each animal’s health status while resident on the centre must be kept by the operator and/or the export agent.

4.9 Unauthorised access to the centre should be prevented. All visitor entries must be recorded.