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. During the period between the first and last semen collection for this consignment, Canada was recognised by the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) as a foot and mouth disease (FMD) free country where vaccination is not practised and met the OIE Code Article definitions of country freedom from:
   
   - rinderpest
   - vesicular stomatitis
   - contagious bovine pleuropneumonia
   - lumpy skin disease
   - Rift Valley fever.

2. Approval of semen collection centre for export to Australia:
   
   The donors were, at the time of semen collection, part of the resident herd at a semen production centre (Artificial Insemination (AI) Centre) approved, under the Canadian Health of Animals Regulations, to certify semen for export.

   Name of approved centre where the semen was originally collected:	Name of centre veterinarian:
   Address of approved centre:	Telephone: Fax:

   [The information in the above table must be recorded on the veterinary health certificate]

3. The approved veterinarian:
   
   - ensured the isolation of the donors from all other ruminants not of equivalent health status prior to semen collection
   - supervised the isolation period
   - supervised the blood sampling of donors and ensured that the donors are tested in accordance with these requirements
   - recorded the required details for each donor on the table attached to this veterinary certificate
   - supervised the collection and processing of the semen in accordance with the Canadian Health of Animals Regulations, Section 15 (Artificial Insemination) and the recommendations of the OIE Code .
   - ensured that suitable antibiotics were added to the diluent and that the diluents were prepared in accordance with OIE Code .
   - verified the permanent identification of the semen straws with the identification details of the donor and the date of collection or a code from which this information could be determined.
4. For sex sorted semen, either:
   
   - Sex sorted semen is NOT included in this shipment,
   
   OR
   
   - equipment used for sex-sorting sperm was cleaned and disinfected between animals according the sex semen licensor’s recommendations; and
   - where seminal plasma, or components thereof, was added to sorted semen prior to cryopreservation and storage, it was derived from animals of same or better health status.
   
   [The veterinary certificate must indicate the option that applies.]
5. All blood, tissue and semen tests for disease were carried out at a laboratory approved by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to perform the test required for that disease. Dates of collection for tests and types of diagnostic tests were recorded on the table attached to this veterinary certificate.
6. Bluetongue (BT)
   - The semen was collected prior to 15 May 2015 in an AI centre not located in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia.
   
   OR
   
   - The semen was collected between 1 January and 15 May from donors resident in Canada (not including the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia) for at least 60 days prior to, and during, semen collection.
   
   OR
   
   - Blood samples drawn from each donor between 28 and 60 days after final semen collection for this consignment, gave negative results to the competition ELISA for BTV antibodies.
   
   OR
   
   - Blood samples were drawn from each donor at the commencement and conclusion of semen collection and at least every seven days during semen collection and gave negative results to a virus isolation test for BTV.
   
   OR
   
   - Blood samples were drawn from each donor at the commencement and conclusion of semen collection and at least every 28 days during semen collection and gave negative results to a polymerase chain reaction test for BTV.
   
   [The veterinary certificate must indicate the option that applies. The attached table must include dates of sampling for test, type of tests used, test results.]
7. Epizootic haemorrhagic disease of deer (EHD)
   - The semen was collected prior to 15 May 2015 in an AI centre not located in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia.
   
   OR
   
   - The semen was collected between 1 January and 15 May from donors resident in Canada (not including the Okanangan Valley of British Columbia) for at least 60 days prior to, and during, semen collection.
   
   OR
   
   - Blood samples drawn from each donor between 28 and 60 days after final semen collection for this consignment, gave negative results to either an agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test, a virus neutralisation (VN) test or a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) for EHDV antibodies.
   
   OR
   
   - Blood samples were drawn from each donor at the commencement and conclusion of semen collection and at least every seven days during semen collection and gave negative results to a virus isolation test for EHDV.
   
   OR
   
   - Blood samples were drawn from each donor at the commencement and conclusion of semen collection and at least every 28 days during semen collection and gave negative results to a polymerase chain reaction test for EHDV.
   
   [The veterinary certificate must indicate the option that applies. The attached table must include dates of sampling for test, type of tests used, test results.]
8. Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis/ Infectious pustular vulvovaginitis (IBR/IPV)
   
   One of the following options (1a or 1b or 2 or 3) must be met.
   
   The semen was collected from donors:
   
   1a) After 21 June 2011 and the donors were kept in an “IBR/IPV free herd,” as defined in the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code, at the time of collection of the semen.
   
   OR
   
   1b) Before 21 June 2011 and the donors were kept in IBR/IPV free artificial insemination centres, which are considered to be those that fulfilled the IBR/IPV testing requirements during pre-quarantine, in the quarantine station and annually, as specified below.
   
   Bulls and teaser animals entered an artificial insemination centre only if they have fulfilled the following requirements:
   
   Pre-quarantine (i.e. prior to entering the quarantine station/pre-entry isolation facility);
   
   If the artificial insemination centre is to be considered IBR/IPV free, the animals should either:
   
   - Come from an IBR/IPV free herd as defined in Article 11.13.3 of the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code 2009; or
   
   - be subjected, with negative results, to a serological test for IBR/IPV on a blood sample taken at a maximum of 60 days before entry to the quarantine station. The donor bulls have been maintained in isolation from animals not of equivalent tested status from the time of IBR/IPV testing. This includes no contact with cattle not of equivalent test status during transport to the quarantine station/collection centre.
   
   Testing in the quarantine station (i.e. pre-entry isolation facility) prior to entering the semen collection centre:
   
   Prior to entering the semen collection centre, bulls and teasers were kept in a quarantine station for at least 28 days. The animals were subjected, with negative results, to a diagnostic test for IBR/IPV on a blood sample a minimum of 21 days after entering the quarantine station. All the results were negative. If any animal tested positive, the animal was removed immediately from the quarantine station and the other animals of the same group have remained in quarantine and were retested, with negative results, not less than 21 days after removal of the positive animal.
   
   All bulls and teasers resident in the semen collection centre were tested at least annually for IBR/IPV with negative results.
   
   8.1. Note: All applicable test results for the donors from whom semen has been collected for this consignment are mentioned in this certificate, including the testing undertaken during on farm isolation, pre-entry isolation and last available resident test.
   
   OR
   
   8.2. The semen was collected from donors secured in isolation during the period of collection and were subjected to either an ELISA or virus neutralisation test (VNT) for IBR/IPV on blood samples taken at least 21 days after collection of the semen with negative results.
   
   Note: “Isolation” means that the relevant donor animals must be secured within double stock-proof fences separated by three metres during the period of collection, or donor bulls could be secured within a solid impervious fully enclosed structure for the period of collection.
   
   OR
   
   8.3. The semen was collected from donors whose serological status is unknown or positive for IBR/IPV, and from which an aliquot of each semen collection for export was subjected to a virus isolation test (by cell culture inoculation and a minimum of 2 passages if no cytopathic effect observed on first passage) or real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, with negative results. Only collections that have been tested as described above are eligible for importation to Australia. Semen from bulls collected in periods between tests is not eligible.
   
   [The veterinary certificate must indicate the option that applies.]
   
   For options 2 & 3:
   
   - the attached table must include dates of sampling for test; type of tests used & test results.
   
   Note (1): All diagnostic tests and the interpretation of test results for IBR/IPV must comply with the OIE Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals chapter on Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis/ Infectious pustularvulvovaginitis. This applies to all testing undertaken irrespective of option selected.
   
   Note (2): If an ELISA is the serological test of choice for IBR/IPV, the ELISA used has been validated with respect to sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility (see OIE Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals, Chapter: Principles of validation of diagnostic assays for infectious diseases) and is suitable for certification of bovine semen for Australia.
9. Schmallenberg virus
   
   No cases of disease caused by Schmallenberg virus have been detected or reported in Canada.
10. 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.
11. 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.]
12. 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.]
13. 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…………………………………...............