Annex

Before entering pre-export quarantine premises (PEQ), each rabbit for export has been resident on the property of origin since birth. The PEQ premises were a separate quarantine isolation facility approved by the Veterinary Authority.

On the property of origin:

2.1. the rabbits were housed in accommodation that precludes access by wildlife and rodents,

2.2. the accommodation was free from infestation with external parasites,

2.3. the colony was either closed or else records were maintained of the origin of all rabbits and their dates of introduction, and

2.4. disease outbreaks were routinely investigated and detailed records were kept.

There was no clinical, epidemiological or other evidence of the following diseases in the rabbits destined for export or in any lagomorphs on the property of origin during the 12 months before export:

3.1. rabbit haemorrhagic disease (Calicivirus)

3.2. myxomatosis

3.3. tularaemia (Francisella tularensis)

3.4. treponematosis (Treponema cuniculi)

3.5. sylvatic plague (Yersinia pestis)

3.6. European brown hare syndrome.

The PEQ facility has satisfied Department of Agriculture requirements including:

4.1.1. Approved by the Veterinary Authority of the exporting country for the holding of animals for export to Australia.

4.1.2. Rabbits in PEQ were isolated by a minimum of 50 metres from all other lagomorphs not of equivalent health status. Equivalent biosecurity can include strict isolation in a facility separated by solid walls from all other lagomorphs not of equivalent health status and under conditions that the veterinary authority is satisfied provides strict isolation.

4.1.3. The accommodation precluded access by wildlife and rodents.

4.1.4. The accommodation protected the rabbits from insects.

or

4.2.1. The country of export has been free from tularaemia for the previous 2 years (delete the option that does not apply).

4.2.2. The water supply was treated with chlorine to a level of 1.5 mg available chlorine/L or with an equivalent disinfectant.

4.2.3. The PEQ facility was depopulated, cleaned and disinfectant applied before the entry of any rabbits.

4.2.4. During PEQ rabbits were not treated with antibiotics and antibiotics were not added to the feed or drinking water.

Before commencement of PEQ, the PEQ facility was inspected and the date of inspection is recorded in the health certificate.

The rabbits were held in PEQ, in an approved facility, for at least 30 days immediately before export.

The PEQ was under the supervision of the official veterinarian.

Any person entering the PEQ facility during PEQ must not have contact with other lagomorphs or must shower and change clothing on each occasion of entry to the facility. Clean protective clothing must be dedicated to use within the facility.

The rabbits destined for export have not been vaccinated for myxomatosis at least six months before export.

Each rabbit in the PEQ facility has remained free from clinical, epidemiological or other evidence of snuffles (Pasteurella multocida) or encephalitozoonosis (Encephalitozoon cuniculi).

Each rabbit was subjected to treatment with a parasiticide effective against fleas, ticks and mites during the four days immediately before export.

Dates of parasite treatments, active ingredients and the dose rate are recorded in the health certificate.

Each rabbit is implanted with an ISO compliant microchip. The microchip number and implantation site is recorded on the veterinary certificate.

Each rabbit for export was examined during the 48 hours immediately before export and was found to be clinically healthy and free from evidence of infectious or contagious diseases, palpable skin tumours or swellings and external parasites, and fit to travel.

Each rabbit was at least six weeks of age at the time of export.

The containers carrying the rabbits were either new and unused or cleaned and disinfected with a broad-spectrum disinfectant before loading.