NZS BIO BOVSEMIC.NOR (2006) (English): Importing Bovine Semen from Norway (Updated 28 June 2006) [By Authority of The Biosecurity Act of 1993] We will sell to no man, we will not deny or defer to any man either justice or right. Magna Carta— T ūtohinga Nui Kore rawa e hoko ki te tangata, e kore e whakakhoretia, ā e tautuku rnei te tangata ki te ture, tika ranei. ā IMPORT HEALTH STANDARD FOR THE IMPORTATION INTO NEW ZEALAND OF BOVINE SEMEN FROM NORWAY Issued pursuant to Section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 Dated: 28 June 2006 **IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR IMPORTERS** The current IHS for bovine semen from Norway requires certification to country freedom from bluetongue. MAFBNZ have replaced certification to country freedom from bluetongue with requirements for certification to donor animal residence within a zone of OIE defined bluetongue status or blood testing of donor animals. The veterinary certificate accompanying consignments of bovine semen from Norway must include the following additional information: For bluetongue (BT) virus: (NB: please indicate which option was followed for BT. The tests that were used and the date of sampling must also be listed.) EITHER At the time of collection Norway was free from bluetongue (as defined by the OIE Code); OR The donor animals were kept in a BT virus free zone for at least the 100 days immediately prior to, and during, collection of the semen for consignment to New Zealand; OR The donor animals were kept during the seasonally free period in a BT virus seasonally free zone for at least the 100 days immediately prior to commencement of, and during, semen collection for the consignment to New Zealand; OR The donor animals were kept in a BT virus infected zone (as defined by the OIE Code), AND were protected from Culicoides attack during the 100 days immediately prior to, and during, collection of the semen for consignment to New Zealand; OR The donor animals were subjected to serological tests to detect antibodies to BT, such as the competitive ELISA or the agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID), between 28 and 60 days after the last collection for this consignment, with negative results; Import Health Standard for the importation of bovine semen from Norway BOVSEMIC.NOR 28 June 2006 Page 1 of 10 OR The donor animals were subjected to agent identification tests for BT, such as a virus isolation test or a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on blood samples collected at commencement and conclusion of, and at least every 7 days (for virus isolation test) or at least every 28 days (for PCR test) during, semen collection for this consignment, with negative results. Test used: .................................................................................................... Date(s) of sample collection: ...................................................................... (Delete clauses that are not applicable) 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 the model health certification that must be completed by the appropriate personnel as indicated in the certification, and must accompany the consignment to New Zealand. 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 importation into New Zealand of bovine semen from the Norway. 1.2 Obtaining biosecurity clearance for each consignment of bovine semen imported into New Zealand from Norway 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 Import Health Standard for the importation of bovine semen from Norway BOVSEMIC.NOR 28 June 2006 Page 2 of 10 New Zealand's import policy or the animal health status of Norway, 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 bovine 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 importer’s agent. 2.3 The Biosecurity (Imported Animals, Embryo and Semen Information) Regulations 1999 place obligations on owners (including any subsequent owners) or persons in charge of imported sheep, goats, cattle and deer and imported genetic material (semen and embryos) of these species. 2.4 A copy of the Regulations can be obtained from the website: http://www.legislation.govt.nz A document explaining the owner’s obligations can be obtained from Animal Imports, Pre- Clearance Directorate, Biosecurity New Zealand, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, PO Box 2526, Wellington, New Zealand. 2.5 It is the importer or agent’s responsibility to ensure that they are compliant with the current version of the relevant import health standard at the time of importation into New Zealand. Current versions of import health standards are available online at http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/commercial-imports/import-health-standards/search 3 DEFINITION OF TERMS Biosecurity clearance As defined by the Biosecurity Act 1993 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 Bovine Animals with the scientific name Bos taurus or Bos indicus 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 Import Health Standard for the importation of bovine semen from Norway BOVSEMIC.NOR 28 June 2006 Page 3 of 10 the health status of a consignment that complies with the requirements of the import health standard Herd of origin The herd in which the donor animal resided prior to entering the semen collection centre. If the donor animal has been on the semen collection centre for more than 90 days the semen collection centre can be deemed to be the herd of origin MAF The New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry New Zealand Inspector As defined by 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 Section 1.2 of the Terrestrial Code pertaining to principles of certification and Council Directive 96/93/EC. Terrestrial Code The Office International des Epizooties Terrestrial Animal Health Code Semen collection period A period of 60 days or less 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 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 Import Health Standard for the importation of bovine semen from Norway BOVSEMIC.NOR 28 June 2006 Page 4 of 10 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 A permit to import must be obtained from Animal Imports, Pre-Clearance Directorate, Biosecurity New Zealand, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, PO Box 2526, Wellington, New Zealand. 5.2 An import permit is required to enable the traceability of genetic material within New Zealand in order to comply with the Biosecurity (Imported Animals, Embryo and Semen Information) Regulations 1999. 5.3 The importer must supply the following information: 5.3.1 name and address of exporter 5.3.2 name, address and approval/registration number of the semen collection centre 5.3.3 species of donor animal(s) 5.3.4 number of straws to be imported 5.3.5 name and address of importer. 5.4 The permit to import will be issued for a single consignment. Attached to, and an integral part of the permit to import, is the current Import Health Standard that describes the conditions under which the semen may be imported into New Zealand. 6 ELIGIBILITY 6.1 Only frozen bovine semen from Norway is eligible for importation under this Import Health Standard. 6.2 A consignment may consist of semen collected from several donors. 6.3 All straws must be clearly marked with the identification of the donor animal and the date of collection. If a code is used for this information, the decipher must accompany the consignment. 7 DOCUMENTATION ACCOMPANYING THE CONSIGNMENT 7.1 The consignment shall be accompanied by the permit to import and all appropriately completed health certification that meets the requirements of PART D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION including laboratory test results for the tests specified in Section 4 of the Zoosanitary Certificate. Import Health Standard for the importation of bovine semen from Norway BOVSEMIC.NOR 28 June 2006 Page 5 of 10 7.2 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 cause the rejection of the consignment. 7.3 Documentation must be in English but may be bilingual with a language understood by the Official Veterinarian of the exporting country. The second language must be written below the English on the same certificate and in the event of any differences, the English version will prevail. 7.4 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 using a different colour ink to the paper and print. 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. 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 and the consignment will be released to the importer. PART D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION 9 NEGOTIATED EXPORT CERTIFICATION The following Model Zoosanitary Certificate contains the information required by MAF to accompany imports of bovine semen into New Zealand from Norway: Import Health Standard for the importation of bovine semen from Norway BOVSEMIC.NOR 28 June 2006 Page 6 of 10 MODEL ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATE Commodity: BOVINE SEMEN To: NEW ZEALAND Import permit number:................................................................................................................. Exporting Country: NORWAY Competent Authority:.................................................................................................................. I. INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DONOR BULLS Identification (including Breed Date of birth Country of birth name) II. INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SEMEN Identification Date(s) of collection Straw identification Number of (including name) (including batch number) straws Total number of straws in consignment:........................................................................................... III. ORIGIN OF THE SEMEN Name, address and approval/registration number of semen collection centre: ............................... ........................................................................................................................................................... Name and address of exporter:......................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................................... IV. DESTINATION OF SEMEN Name and address of importer:......................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................................... Import Health Standard for the importation of bovine semen from Norway BOVSEMIC.NOR 28 June 2006 Page 7 of 10 V. SANITARY INFORMATION VETERINARY CERTIFICATE I, ................................................................................., an Official Veterinarian authorised by the Government of Norway certify, after due inquiry, with respect to the donor bulls and semen identified in this Zoosanitary Certificate, that: 1 Country freedom statement 1.1 Norway is free from the following diseases according to the specifications for country freedom in the Terrestrial Code: bluetongue, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, foot and mouth disease, lumpy skin disease, rinderpest and vesicular stomatitis. 1.2 Norway is free of epizootic haemorrhagic disease. 2 Donor bulls and the semen collection centre 2.1 The donor bulls were: Either 2.1.1 born and reared in Norway Or 2.1.2 imported into Norway and have lived in the herd of origin for at least 30 days immediately prior to entering the semen collection centre. (Delete as appropriate) 2.2 The donor bulls were resident in a semen collection centre for a continuous period of at least 30 days prior to the date of collection of semen for this consignment. The semen collection centre is approved for collection of semen for export in accordance with the provisions specified in EU Directive 88/407/EEC as last amended. 2.3 The herd(s) of origin of the donor bulls and the semen collection centre were free from any disease notifiable under EU legislation from 90 days before the first semen collection until 30 days after the last semen collection for this consignment. 2.4 During the time the donor bulls were on the semen collection centre they were not used for natural mating and were isolated from animals not of equivalent health status. 2.5 The semen collection centre is approved by the Norwegian Veterinary Authority to collect bovine semen for export and is regularly inspected by an official veterinarian. Date of last inspection: ..................................................................................................... Import Health Standard for the importation of bovine semen from Norway BOVSEMIC.NOR 28 June 2006 Page 8 of 10