Annex

NOTE: Veterinary certificates are negotiated directly between relevant government authorities. In cases where a veterinary certificate has not been negotiated, this annex can be used as the basis for developing a suitable document.

1. Embryos and/or ova were obtained from live female donors of known identification

2. The embryos in this consignment were fertilised in vitro

or

The embryos in this consignment were fertilised in vivo

[delete the option that does not apply]

3. Approval of embryo collection team veterinarian for export to Australia

During production of New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (NZ MPI) approval was granted for the:

• team veterinarian, who supervised the collection and processing of in-vivo derived embryos and/or the in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) embryo production team.
• processing and storage centre
• for IVF embryos, the processing laboratory responsible for the maturation, fertilisation and culture of in-vitro bovine embryos for export.

4. The processing laboratory (including any mobile laboratory) was under the direct supervision of the team veterinarian and routinely inspected by an official veterinarian.

5. Tuberculosis (Tb)

The female donors were:

• from herds that are officially free of bovine tuberculosis at the time of collection
• healthy and free from clinical evidence of infectious diseases transmissible by embryo transfer throughout the collection period
• tested negative to either an intra-dermal tuberculin test or a blood tuberculosis test during the 12 months immediately prior to collection.

[The attached table must include dates of sampling for test, type of tests used, test results.]

6. Schmallenberg virus

No cases of disease caused by Schmallenberg virus have been detected or reported in New Zealand.

7. The embryos in this consignment were fertilised either:

· by a bull with the same health status as the female donor

or

· with semen collected at a semen collection centre approved by NZ MPI to export bovine semen to Australia

or

· with semen, from a third country, which met NZ MPI import conditions. The third country was recognised by NZ MPI as a country free from FMD without vaccination at the time of collection.

[The veterinary certificate must indicate the option that applies.]

8. The embryo production team and processing laboratory meets the recommendations of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code (Code).

9. The embryos were collected, processed and stored in accordance with the recommendations of the Code.

10. The laboratory has a quality assurance programme to ensure that culture media and cells, and biological products of animal origin are free from living pathogenic micro-organisms. Media was sterilised by methods recommended by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and handled in a manner to ensure that sterility. Antibiotic were added to all fluids and media as recommended by World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

11. The embryos were treated with trypsin in accordance with International Embryo Transfer Society (IETS) recommendations.

12. All laboratory tests for animal pathogens were undertaken at laboratories approved to undertake testing for export purposes by the NZ MPI

13. Storage at approved centre(s) or laboratory(ies)

From the time of collection until export, the reproductive material in this consignment was stored:

• in sealed containers (e.g. straws, ampoules or vials) and identified in a legible and non-erasable manner as specified in this veterinary certificate
• only with other embryos or semen collected for export to Australia, or of equivalent health status
• in a secure place within an approved centre or laboratory and under the direct supervision of the approved veterinarian(s), and

· in containers containing only new, unused liquid nitrogen.

14. Further processing or aggregation

For this reproductive material, either:

• After leaving the approved centre under seal in shipping containers (liquid nitrogen shippers/tanks), the reproductive material was NOT removed from sealed containers (e.g. straws, ampoules or vials) for further processing or removed from the shipping container(s) for aggregation with other reproductive material.
  

  or

• Reproductive material was shipped to another approved centre or laboratory under seal in shipping containers (liquid nitrogen shippers/tanks) and removed from sealed containers (e.g. straws, ampoules or vials) for further processing (e.g. sex sorting) or for aggregation:

- with other reproductive material collected for export to Australia, or of equivalent health status

- at an approved centre or laboratory and

- under the direct supervision of the approved veterinarian(s).

The date(s) of transfer between the approved centre(s) or laboratory(ies), reason for transfer(s) (e.g. for sex sorting), name(s) of the approved centre(s) or laboratory(ies) and the approved veterinarian(s) are listed against the shipping container/s on this certificate before departure from the approved centre or laboratory. The unique seal number of each shipping container is included in this documentation.

NOTE: For transfers to another approved centre or laboratory, the approved veterinarian must ensure the shipping containers are transferred under seal as described below:

Date of transfer...................................

Reason for transfer..................................................................................................................

Name of approved centre/laboratory...................................................................................................

Approved veterinarian(s)...........................................................................................................

Shipping container seal number(s).........................................................................................................

[The veterinary certificate must indicate the option that applies.]

15. Shipping containers (Liquid nitrogen shippers/tanks)

The shipping container was new

or

Prior to loading, the shipping container was emptied and inspected and any loose straws removed. The shipping container, including all surfaces in contact with the straws, ampoules or vials was then disinfected with one of the following disinfectants: 2% available chlorine (e.g. chlorine bleach), 2% Virkon, 2.4% Prevail or irradiated at 50 kGy.

Date of disinfection/ irradiation………………………………………………………...

Disinfectant used/ active ingredient…………………………………………………….

[The veterinary certificate must indicate the option that applies. For used shipping containers, the date of disinfection, the disinfectant used and its active chemical must be recorded on the health certificate.]

16. Official Government Seals

Under the direct supervision of an official veterinarian prior to export to Australia:

· the containers (e.g. straws, ampoules or vials) for reproductive material in this consignment were checked as being sealed.

· the identity of the reproductive material was checked prior to being placed into new, unused liquid nitrogen in a shipping container for export that was new or disinfected as specified in this veterinary certificate

· Only reproductive material that met Australian import conditions was added to the shipping container

· The shipping container was sealed with an official government seal and the number or mark on the seal recorded on the certificate.

Shipping container official government seal number…………………………………...............