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Annex

Certificate: Veterinary certification requirements for frozen equine semen from New Zealand

Effective 1 July 2022

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.

I, ..........................................................................................................., an Official Government Veterinarian, certify, after due enquiry with respect to the donor animal and semen described in this veterinary certificate, that:

  1. Immediately prior to the first collection of semen for this consignment, the donor animal(s) was:

    1.1 continuously resident in New Zealand since birth or since import from Australia*

    OR

    1.2 continuously resident in New Zealand for at least sixty (60) days since import*

    OR

    1.3 continuously resident in New Zealand for less than sixty (60) days since import on………………….  from……………………………………(Approved Country), and an owner/agent declaration stating that the horse(s) has been continuously resident in approved country(s) during the 60 days immediately prior to import into New Zealand has been sighted*

    *Delete as appropriate

  2. No clinical, epidemiological or other evidence of the following diseases has occurred in New Zealand within the two years immediately prior to, and during the collection of semen for this consignment and the diseases are notifiable in New Zealand:

    • African horse sickness
    • contagious equine metritis
    • dourine
    • glanders
    • equine encephalomyelitis (VEE, WEE, EEE), and
    • vesicular stomatitis.

    No clinical, epidemiological or other evidence of equine viral arteritis has occurred in New Zealand within the previous 12 month period immediately prior to and during the collection of semen for this consignment and the disease is notifiable.

  3. Clinical inspection
    The donor animal and all in-contact equines on the premises of origin were inspected on the day of each semen collection for this consignment and were found to be free from clinical evidence of infectious or contagious disease.
  4. Laboratory testing
    4.1 All samples for testing collected in New Zealand were taken by an Official Government Veterinarian, or a veterinarian authorised by an Official Government Veterinarian.

    4.2 All testing has been conducted in either a government approved laboratory in New Zealand, or in a laboratory in another country recognised by the New Zealand government.

    4.3 Copies of all laboratory results must be attached to the health certificate and endorsed by the Official Government Veterinarian.

  5. Health status
    5.1 The donor animal was not used for natural service in the thirty (30) days period prior to semen collection for export.

    5.2 After due enquiry, for the thirty (30) days prior to semen collection for export the donor animal(s) has been free from clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease.

    5.3 Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1)
    The donor animal has had no contact with any horse known or suspected of being infected with equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) for at least thirty (30) days prior to semen collection.

    5.4 Equine viral arteritis (EVA).

    5.4.1 semen was collected from the donor animal(s) after 1 January 2014 and the donor animal(s) has been continuously resident in New Zealand since birth or since import from Australia*

    OR

    5.4.2 semen was collected from the donor animal(s) after 1 January 2014 and the donor animal(s) has been continuously resident in New Zealand since import*

    OR*

    5.4.3 At least 14 days after the last collection for this consignment, the donor animal has been tested for EVA by SNT with negative results at a serum dilution of 1:4*.

    OR*

    5.4.4 In the case of a donor stallion that is seropositive for EVA, he has been subjected to a virus isolation test for EVA on two semen samples (sperm rich fraction) from separate collections, with negative results, during the 12 month period prior to the collection of semen for export and since seroconversion*.

    OR*

    5.4.5 On the basis of appropriate laboratory and vaccination evidence, the donor stallion has been tested for EVA by SNT with negative results and vaccinated immediately after taking the sample that gave the negative result, against EVA with an approved vaccine in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and annually revaccinated*.

    OR*

    5.4.6 Two mares have been inseminated with untreated semen freshly collected from the donor animal and have been found negative to the SNT for EVA by testing of serum samples collected from each mare at the time of insemination and twenty-eight (28) days after insemination. The stallion has not been mated by natural service since collection of the semen for test insemination. The test results must be available before the semen is exported. [Note: full ejaculate must be used but may be equally divided between the two mares.*]
    *Delete as applicable

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

  6. Semen collection centre
    The semen was collected, processed and stored on a premises inspected and approved by an official veterinarian.

  7. Semen collection and processing
    7.1 [In the case of sex sorted semen;

    • equipment used for sex-sorting sperm was cleaned and disinfected between animals according to 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.]*

    *Delete if not applicable

    7.2. Reproductive material for export to Australia was identified in a legible and non-erasable manner, and was stored since the end of the collection period until export under the direct supervision of the approved veterinarian(s) in containers in which no biological material other than semen; of equivalent health status as specified in this veterinary certificate was held.

    7.3 Reproductive material;

    • was NOT removed from containers for further processing or aggregation with other reproductive material*, or
    • was removed from containers for further processing or aggregation with other reproductive material at an approved centre or laboratory.

      Note: The dates of transfer, reason for transfer (e.g. for sex sorting), name of the approved centre or laboratory and the approved veterinarian must be listed against the containers. The unique serial (SEAL) number of each shipping container must be included in this documentation.

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

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

      Name of approved laboratory...................................................................................................

      Approved veterinarian/s...........................................................................................................

      Container serial number/s.........................................................................................................

      *Delete if not applicable

    7.4 All equipment used in the collection, processing and storage of the semen for export were new, or clean and sterilised.

  8. Storage and Transport
    8.1 The semen for export was identified and placed in a transport container(s) which is:

    • new*

      OR
    • prior to loading, the shipper was emptied and inspected and any loose straws removed. The shipper, including all surfaces contacting the straws, was disinfected;

      [*The date of disinfection, the disinfectant used and its active chemical must be recorded on the health certificate.]

      The following disinfectants will be accepted by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry:
    • 2% available chlorine (e.g. chlorine bleach)
    • 2% Virkon
    • irradiated at 50kGy.

      *Delete if not applicable

    8.2 Only new liquid nitrogen was added to the tank.

    8.3 The transport container(s) used to transport the semen to Australia has been sealed and bears a government seal number.

    [Official Government security Seal Number must be recorded on the veterinary certificate.]

    ..................................................................................................................................................................
    Signature of the official veterinarian Official Stamp and Date

    ...................................................................................................................................................................

    ...................................................................................................................................................................
    Name and Address