Changes

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has updated the import conditions for cattle, sheep, goat and deer embryos and semen.

The department has amended the administrative conditions for all ruminant reproductive material.

The following wording has been added to the administrative conditions for imports of bovine, ovine, caprine and cervine semen and embryos:
'Each consignment of semen/embryos must be accompanied by laboratory reports for all testing. Copies of the laboratory reports must accompany the shipment and be endorsed by the official government veterinarian.'

Copies of all laboratory reports must accompany all ruminant reproductive material imports from 1 July 2021.

Who does this notice affect:
Importers of cattle, sheep, goat and deer embryos and semen, Veterinary and Export Meat Group.

Background:
This wording will clarify the additional documentation requirements for ruminant reproductive material and ensure consistency with other live animal and reproductive material commodities where laboratory reports are required to be supplied as evidence for all disease testing.

This amendment is to the administrative conditions only; no changes will be made to the existing veterinary health certificates for the import of bovine, ovine, caprine and cervine semen and embryos to Australia.

Further information:
Please contact Horses, Livestock and Birds on 1800 900 090 (prompt 1, then prompt 1, and ask for the Horses, Livestock and Birds section) or email reproimports@awe.gov.au