Annex

Pre-export quarantine

Location

The pre-export quarantine facility (PEQ) must be located within a government registered or licensed zoological institution, wildlife park or research institute which is under veterinary supervision and in which the animals held in the premises are subject to a health monitoring program.

Facilities

1. The PEQ facility must meet the country and premises requirements specified in this appendix.
   

2. The entire PEQ facility must be surrounded by a physical barrier that provides sufficient security to isolate the animals in PEQ from all other animals except those that meet all the conditions described in this import permit.
   

3. The PEQ facility including buildings, yards, fences, feeding and watering arrangements must address animal welfare considerations.
   

4. Buildings holding animals in the PEQ facility must be constructed so that they can be cleaned and disinfectant applied and must be maintained in good order.
   

5. The institution where the PEQ facility is located must have a separate area for the cleaning and disinfection of vehicles for transporting animals and facilities for the safe loading and unloading of animals.
   

6. The institution where the PEQ facility is located must have facilities for veterinary examination and collection of samples, and must manage biosecurity requirements should it be necessary to utilise these facilities for animals in pre-export quarantine.
   

Operation

1. The PEQ facility must have current approval from the Veterinary Authority of the country of export before commencement of PEQ.
   

2. The department may audit the approved PEQ facility.
   

3. PEQ operations and procedures should be detailed in Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) consistent with a risk-based approach. The department may assess SOPs during the process of assessing an import permit application.
   

4. The Official Veterinarian must inspect the PEQ facility within 72 hours before commencement of PEQ and must ensure that the facility has been cleaned and disinfectant applied to their satisfaction.
   

5. PEQ must be under the supervision of the Official Veterinarian.
   

6. The PEQ period commences from the time the last animal in the export consignment has entered the PEQ facility and all animals have been examined by the Official Veterinarian or a veterinarian authorised by the Official Veterinarian.
   

7. All equipment used in feeding, handling and treating animals in PEQ must be new or cleaned and disinfected before entry, and must be used only in the facility during PEQ.
   

8. During PEQ, the facility must be occupied only by animals of the export consignment. If other animals are present, they must be of equivalent health and testing status, and meet all the conditions described in the import permit.
   

9. Only personnel specifically authorised by the Official Veterinarian are permitted entry to the PEQ facility. Details of all visitor entries must be recorded.
   

10. Other than inspections, visits and treatments required for certification, all veterinary visits, health problems, tests, test results, treatments and reasons for removal from PEQ of any animal must be reported to the Official Veterinarian within 24 hours, and to the department within 48 hours.
    

11. A detailed health record must be kept for each animal and be available to the Official Veterinarian and to the department on request.
    

12. Animals that leave the facility during PEQ for any reason cannot re-join the consignment during PEQ.