Importing White Rhinoceros from Australia

25 May 2011

zoorhiic.aus

PART A. INTRODUCTION

PART B. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

PART C: ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATE

PART A. INTRODUCTION

Background

1. This document, issued under section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, is the import health standard for White Rhinoceros from Australia.

2. If this standard needs to be amended or revoked urgently, or the Director General or delegate considers that an amendment is minor, the amendment or revocation may be carried out without prior consultation.

3. Subject to section 27 and 28 of the Biosecurity Act, a biosecurity clearance may be issued under section 26, where the requirements of this import health standard have been complied with. The Biosecurity Act can be accessed at http://www.legislation.govt.nz/

Scope

4. This standard specifies the requirements that must be met to import into New Zealand, White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) from Australia.

Importer’s responsibilities

5. It is the importer’s responsibility to ensure that they are compliant with the current relevant import health standard. Current versions of import health standards are available on the MAF Biosecurity New Zealand website: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/ihs/search. A register of import health standards is also available for inspection at the office of the Director-General during normal business hours.

6. The costs of the MAF in performing functions relating to the importation of white rhinoceros shall be recovered in accordance with the Biosecurity Act and any regulations made under that Act. All costs involved with documentation, transport, storage and obtaining a biosecurity authority shall be borne by the importer or agent.

7. It is the responsibility of the importer that the consignment is accompanied by a permit to export by the legislation of the country of origin and the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES): http://www.cites.org . The importer is advised to clarify the status of the species of animal in relation to international agreements on their trade, prior to export. Material arriving in New Zealand without a permit to export may be subject to seizure by the New Zealand Department of Conservation.
[Note: Any requirement for the CITES or other conservation related documentation must be met by the exporter/importer and is independent of this certification.]

8. The importer must obtain a permit to import prior to proceeding with importation.

9. The importer must notify the date, expected time, port of arrival and the flight number or ship’s name to the New Zealand Official Veterinarian at the airport/port of entry at least 7 days in advance of importation. Email: liveanimalsector@maf.govt.nz

Definitions

Import Health Standard Term	Definition
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 authority	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.
Certifying official	A person authorised by the Veterinary Authority of the exporting country to sign international veterinary certificates.
Competent Authority	The Veterinary Authority or other Governmental Authority of an OIE Member 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.
Director-General	The chief executive of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
Equivalence	Acceptance by the Imports 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.
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 administer and enforce the provisions of the Biosecurity Act, and in respect of new organisms, the provisions of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996).
MAF	The New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
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/international-standard-setting/terrestrial-code/access-online/
Permit to import	A permit issued by the Director General of MAF pursuant to section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 upon an importer’s demonstration that certain requirements of the import health standard have been met in advance of an importation being made, such that a transitional facility is available to accept the consignment/s and a method and route of transport from the port of arrival to the transitional facility has been approved. The procedure for application and the information required for a permit to import are detailed within the import health standard.
Zoo	A containment facility approved to the containment standard where live zoo animals are kept for the purposes of public exhibition, conservation, research or education. Note: A zoo includes for example, a circus, butterfly house, aquarium or an oceanarium. A zoo may also hold indigenous animals that are not new organisms but these animals are not covered by this Standard.
Zoo animal	A new organism approved under the Hazardous Substances and New Organism Act 1996 (HSNO) to be held in a zoo. The organism is both a new organism under the HSNO Act and a restricted organism under the Biosecurity Act 1993.

PART B. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility

10. The white rhinoceros must have been resident in a government registered, or licensed, zoo or wildlife park in Australia since birth or at least the 12 months prior to the date of export.

11. The animals must not be in the last trimester of pregnancy at the date of export.

12. The animals must be more than 6 months old at departure and weaned, healthy and fit to travel.

13. The animals and the premises in which the animals reside must have been free of quarantine restrictions for at least the 90 days prior to the date of export.

Permit to import

14. A permit to import is required for the importation of all white rhinoceros into New Zealand.

15. An application form for a permit to import can be obtained from the MAF website: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/forms/imports-live-animals-into-trans-facility

16. Application for a permit to import must be made in writing at least 30 days before the proposed date of importation:

Animal Imports
Import and Export Standards
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
New Zealand
Email: animalimports@maf.govt.nz

17. The importer must supply the following information:

• name and address of exporter;
• number, sex, age, species and microchip transponder identification of the animal;
• date of the proposed importation;
• name and address of the transitional/containment facility in New Zealand, to which the consignment is to proceed following importation;
• a letter from the New Zealand Official Veterinarian supervising the transitional facility indicating that the facility is available for this consignment;
• port of arrival, and route and means of transport to the transitional facility.

18. The permit to import will be issued for a single consignment.

Documentation accompanying the consignment

19. The consignment must be accompanied by:

• a copy of the permit to import; AND
• appropriately completed health certification that meets the requirement of PART C. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION.

20. Documentation presented in accordance with the requirements of this import health standard must be original (unless otherwise specified) and clearly legible. Inadequate documentation may result in delays in obtaining biosecurity authority or rejection of the consignment.

21. 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 certificate.

22. All documentation must be sent to the New Zealand Official Veterinarian at the airport/port of entry at least 72 hours in advance of importation. Email: liveanimalsector@maf.govt.nz

Transport

23. In the case of transport by:

• Air: the transport facilities and arrangements must meet the requirements published in the IATA Live Animal Regulations.
• Sea: the transport facilities and arrangements must have been inspected and meet the requirements of the Australian Marine Orders Part 43, Issue 2 (which is equivalent to the New Zealand Marine Rules Part 24C).

24. No animals, other than those qualified for entry into New Zealand are permitted to be transported with the white rhinoceros on the aircraft or ship.

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

26. The door of the transport container must be sealed with a government-approved seal before the container is loaded in the country of origin. The number or mark on the seal must be recorded in the zoosanitary certificate by the Official Veterinarian. 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.

27. Trans-shipment in any third country is not permitted; the route must be direct between Australia and New Zealand.

28. Containers made of timber must meet the requirements of the wood packaging import health standard
(refer to: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/imports/forests/standards/non-viable-forest-produce/wood-packaging-ihs.htm)

29. An experienced animal handler must travel with the animals.

Biosecurity authority

30. Upon arrival in New Zealand, an Official Veterinarian must inspect the animals and the accompanying documentation.

31. A biosecurity authorisation may be given by an Inspector under section 25 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 authorising the animals to move to the low security quarantine transitional facility named in the permit to import, providing that the documentation meets all requirements noted under PART C. ZOO SANITARY CERTIFICATION and the consignment meets the conditions of ELIGIBILITY.

32. Any unused feed, bedding and faecal material not in the crate must be destroyed by a MAF approved method.

Transitional facility

33. Following biosecurity authorisation being given, the animals must proceed directly to the transitional facility.

34. The animals shall remain in the transitional facility for no less than 7 days, or for a longer period as specified in the biosecurity authorisation under section 25 of the Biosecurity Act.

35. On arrival in the transitional facility, the animals must be subjected to such testing, treatments or procedures as is required to diagnose a disease, ascertain the presence or absence of any pest or unwanted organism or make an assessment of measures taken to eradicate any pest or unwanted organism, including:

• verification of the microchip identification of the animals; AND
• inspection under the supervision of the supervising Veterinary Officer for ticks. The inspection must include examination of the ears, under the tail, the axillae and around the genitals and udder. Any ticks found shall be identified and their presence reported to the Animal Imports Team Manager or delegate.

36. If any animal fails a test or shows signs of disease, the Chief Technical Officer or delegate may give reasonable directions to (a) treat the animal or (b) destroy the animal (without recompense). In exercising these powers, the CTO/delegate will primarily take into account the need to effectively manage biosecurity risks arising from the imported animal. The CTO/delegate may offer the importer the option of re-exporting the animal to the country of origin (at the importer's expense) if this is consistent with the primary objective stated above. The CTO/delegate can also authorise the animal to be held as long as necessary for the importer to obtain a biosecurity clearance.

37. On satisfactory completion of the post arrival quarantine period, the supervising Veterinary Officer will authorise the animals be moved from the transitional facility to a containment facility, approved to MAF Standard 154.03.04
Containment Facilities for Zoo Animals
(http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/border/transitional-facilities/animals/154-03-04.htm.)

38. All costs of testing, treatment, transport, quarantine servicing and veterinary supervision must be borne by the importer.

39. The crates must be cleaned and disinfected and stored until the end of quarantine. After completion of quarantine all feed, bedding material and faeces from the transitional facility and crate must be destroyed by a MAF approved method.

40. The animals and their offspring must remain permanently in a containment facility and may only be transferred to another containment facility with the prior permission of the Animal Imports Team Manager or delegate.

Equivalence

41. The import health standard has been agreed as suitable for trade between Australia and New Zealand. It is expected that the consignment will meet the conditions in every respect.

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

• which clause/s of the zoosanitary certificate 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 competent authority of the country of origin believes this proposal should be acceptable to MAF and their recommendation for its acceptance.

PART C: ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATE

The following Model Zoosanitary Certificate is approved to accompany imports of white rhinoceros into New Zealand from Australia.

Consignment Information:

1. Exporter Name: Address:		3. Certificate reference number:
		4. Import permit number:
		5. Competent Authority: Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service
2. Importer Name: Address:		6. Date of departure:
		7. Mode of transport:
		8. Port of embarkation:
		9. Port of arrival:
		10. Total number of animals :
11. Microchip identification number	12. Site of microchip	13. Other identification (eg, ARKS number, Identifying feature)	14. Date of Birth	15. Sex

SANITARY INFORMATION

I,……………………………….., an Official Veterinarian authorised by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, certify after due enquiry that the white rhinoceros described above satisfy the following requirements:

1. The animals have been resident in a government registered, or licensed, zoo or wildlife park in Australia since birth or at least the 12 months prior to the date of export.

2. The animals and the premises in which the animals reside have been free of quarantine restrictions for the 90 days prior to the scheduled date of export.

3. The animals have permanent identification marks in the form of a microchip.

4. The premises in Australia in which the animals for export have been resident have had no laboratory confirmation of Salmonella dublin or typhimurium DT104 infections for a period of at least 3 years immediately prior to the date of export.

5. The premises in Australia in which the animals for export have been resident have not had a case of anthrax for the 30 days prior to export.

Pre-export isolation:

6. The animals were held in pre-export isolation (PEI):

• for a minimum period of 30 days prior to export; AND
• in premises that were approved and supervised by an Official Veterinarian; AND
• isolated from other animals not of equivalent health status; AND
• the animals and all in-contact animals were free from clinical signs of infectious disease.

7. The PEI facility is lockable and has a building (with or without walls) constructed of smooth and impervious materials that can be effectively cleaned and disinfected. This building is surrounded by an area that is clear of vegetation and is circumscribed by a solid barrier or fence (that ensures at least 10 metre separation from other animals).

8. Bedding used was clean and free of evidence of contamination with ticks and weeds/weed seeds, eg sterilised peat, soft board, wood shavings or other inert material. Straw and hay were not used.

9. Every 10 days during PEI all bedding was removed from the facility; the walls and floors were cleaned and disinfected, and were sprayed with an acaricide.

10. While in PEI the animals were fed only feed that had been inspected and was free of evidence of ticks and weeds/weed seeds, eg processed pellets and heat treated hay.

Treatment for endoparasites:

11. Within 48 hours prior to the scheduled date of export the animals were treated for endoparasites with a macrocyclic lactone compound that is effective in white rhinoceros.

Endoparasiticide used: ….........................................................................
Active ingredient(s): ………………….....................................................
Dose rate: …............................................................................................
Date of treatment: .....................................................................................

Treatment for ectoparasites:

12. During the 48 hours prior to entering PEI, an insecticide/acaricide solution effective in white rhinoceros against ticks and other ectoparasites was applied to the animals by thoroughly wetting the entire animal, including under the tail, ears, the axillary region, between the hind legs and the interdigital spaces (eg using a back pack spray unit).

Name of ectoparasiticide: .........................................................................
Active ingredient(s): ..................................................................................
Dose rate: .................................................................................................
Date(s) of treatment: ................................................................................

13. Ten days after entering PEI the animals were inspected and found to be free of evidence of ticks and other ectoparasites. If external parasites were detected, the treatment was repeated and the animals were inspected again 10 days later. Treatments were repeated until the animals were found to be free from evidence of ticks and other ectoparasites.

Name of ectoparasiticide: .........................................................................
Active ingredient(s): ..................................................................................
Dose rate: .................................................................................................
Date(s) of treatment: ................................................................................

14. Within 48 hours prior to the scheduled date of export the animals were treated for ectoparasites with a macrocyclic lactone compound that is effective in white rhinoceros, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Name of ectoparasiticide: .........................................................................
Active ingredient(s): ..................................................................................
Dose rate: .................................................................................................
Date(s) of treatment: ................................................................................

Inspection and transport:

15. The animals were examined by an Official Veterinarian within 24 hours prior to export, and were free from clinical evidence of infectious or contagious disease, external parasites, plant and seed contamination, and were healthy and fit to travel.

16. The vehicles for the transport of the animals to the port of export, the compartment of the aircraft or vessel occupied by the animals, and all removable equipment, penning and containers, including loading ramps were cleaned and disinfected prior to loading. The containers used for transporting the animal were new or were cleaned and disinfected prior to loading. Containers constructed of timber were treated against insect infestation or fumigated prior to loading as required by MAF.

17. During transport to the port of departure and during transit to New Zealand the animals were not transported with animals that are not eligible for export to New Zealand.

18. All stock food loaded for use during transport to the port of departure and during transit to New Zealand was free from evidence of contamination with ticks and weeds/weed seeds.
The use of straw or hay as bedding is not permitted. Only sterilised peat, soft board or other inert approved product was provided.

19. In the case of transport by:

• Air: the transport facilities and arrangements meet the requirements published in the IATA Live Animal Regulations;
• Sea: the transport facilities and arrangements have been inspected and meet the requirements of the Australian Marine Orders Part 43, Issue 2 (which is equivalent to the New Zealand Marine Rules Part 24C).

20. The container was fastened with an official seal bearing the number or mark: ....................................................................................................................

Official Veterinarian:

Name and address (in capital letters):

Date:                   Signature:

Stamp:

Note: Official stamp, signature and date must be applied to all pages and any documents that form part of the extended certificate.