Importing Rabbits from Australia

3 April 1998

rabdomic.aus

Issued pursuant to Section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993
Dated: 3 April 1998

1. Permit to Import
2. Documentation
3. Eligibility For Importation
4. Identification
5. Transport
6. Entry Conditions
7. Equivalence
Veterinary Certificate

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Permit to Import

1.1 A permit to import must be obtained from:

Chief Veterinary Officer,
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry,
P O Box 2526, Wellington,
New Zealand

1.2 The importer must supply the following information:

• name and address of the importer and the premises where the rabbits are proposed to be kept
• name and address of the exporter and the premises of origin
• the number, sex and description of the rabbits proposed to be imported.

2. Documentation

The permit and all the required certification must accompany the consignment to New Zealand. All documentation must be in English.

3. Eligibility For Importation

3.1 The rabbits must have been born and reared in captivity.

3.2 It is recommended that the importer shall conform with any provisions required by other government departments or local authorities.

4. Identification

The rabbits must be identified with tattoo or microchip which can be easily read. The identification must be shown on the certificate accompanying the animals.

5. Transport

5.1 The animals must be confined in cages that conform with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animal Regulations. The cages must be securely fastened but need not be sealed.

5.2 The use of hay, straw, peat or wood shavings as bedding is not permitted. It is advisable to use such materials as paper.

5.3 No animals other than those destined for New Zealand may be carried on the aircraft.

6. Entry Conditions

6.1 On arrival in New Zealand the consignment will be examined by a Quarantine Service inspector. Provided the rabbits appear healthy and free from ectoparasites and the documentation is in order the animals will be treated with a recognised insecticidal dusting powder and will be released to the importer.

6.2 If the rabbits do not meet the importation conditions, or in the event of any signs of illness or the death of any of the animals, the shipment will be held in a secure place pending a decision on the matter.

6.3 The importer must keep the rabbits on the premises described on the permit to import for a period of 30 days during which time they may be subject to inspection by an inspector pursuant to section 121 of the Biosecurity Act 1993.

6.4 In the event of any sickness or death occurring during this period the importer is to advise immediately the nearest MAFQual office of this Ministry.

7. Equivalence

The attached health conditions have been agreed as being suitable for trade between the exporting and the importing countries. It is expected that the animals will meet the conditions in every respect.

Occasionally it is found that, due to extenuating circumstances, the animals do not comply completely with the requirements. In such cases applications for dispensations will be considered and issued at the discretion of the NZ Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, but only if the following information is forwarded by the certifying government's Veterinary Authorities:

1. which clause/s of the health requirements cannot be met and how this has occurred;
2. the reason the animals are considered to be of an "equivalent health" status and/or what proposal is made to return the animals to an equivalent health status as set-out in the health conditions;
3. the reasons why the Veterinary Authorities believe this proposal should be acceptable to the NZMAF and their recommendation for its acceptance.

Zoo Sanitary Certificate

Species: Domestic Rabbits

To: New Zealand

Import Permit Number:

Exporting Country:

Ministry/Department:

I: Identification of Animals

Identification Number of microchip/tattoo:	Anatomical site of microchip/tattoo:	Breed	Sex	Age

Total Number of Animals:

II: Source of Animals

Name and address of exporter:

Place of origin of animals:

III: Destination of Animals

Name and address of consignee:

Means of transport:

IV: Sanitary Information

Owner/Exporter's Declaration

I, .......................................... being the owner/exporter of the animals identified in the Zoo-sanitary section of this certificate certify that:

1. The rabbits described in the schedule were born and reared in captivity and have been resident in Australia for six months prior to export or since birth.
2. The colony in which the rabbits were raised has been free from evidence of myxomatosis, Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Tyzzer's disease during the previous six months.

..........................................
Owner/Exporter and date

..........................................

Person authorised to take statutory or official declarations, date

Veterinary Certificate

I, ..................................... being a Government Veterinary Officer, certify with respect to the animals identified in the Zoo-sanitary section of this certificate that:

1. Owner's Declaration
   After due enquiry I have no reason to doubt the owner/exporter's declaration.
2. Country Freedom
   The country of export is officially free from tularemia and European brown hare syndrome.
3. Premises of Origin
   The animals originate from premises which have not had viral haemorrhagic disease, myxomatosis, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, sylvatic plague, treponematosis, and Tyzzer's disease diagnosed in the colony in the previous six months.
4. Examination
   Within 48 hours prior to export to New Zealand:
   • 4.1 the animals were examined and found to be healthy and free from clinical signs or symptoms of infectious or contagious disease* and showed no signs of external parasites or skin disease.
   • 4.2 the animals have been treated for fleas and ticks using an effective insecticide.
     Active ingredient and dose rate:
   • 4.3 all other rabbits on the premises or origin were inspected and found to be healthy and free from clinical signs or symptoms of infectious or contagious disease.*
   • 4.4 the animals have had all identificiation checked and recorded on the front of this certificate.
   • *Disease:
     • Coccidiosis
     • Enzootic pneumonia
     • LCM (lymphocytic choriomeningitis) virus disease
     • Listerellosis
     • Myxomatosis
     • Encephalitozoon cuniculi
     • Pseudotuberculosis
     • Snuffles
     • Sylvatic plague
     • Treponematosis
     • Tuberculosis
     • Tularaemia
     • Tyzzers disease
     • Viral haemorrhagic disease
     • European brown hare syndrome

.........................................
Government Veterinary Officer/Official Stamp and Date

Local Veterinary Inspector

RABDOMIC.AUS
I-AUS-121

IHS Dated 03-Apr-98