01/27/2009: "Canada Introduces Restrictions"
CFIA has announced the introduction of import restrictions on horses and
equine semen originating from the USA as a result of the current US
outbreak of Contagious Equine Metritis. Horses and other equidae (asses,
mules and zebras) will not require an import permit, but will require
additional declarations on the health papers certifying that they have
not been on a premises where Taylorella equigenitalis has been
isolated during the 60 days immediately preceding exportation to Canada
or a premises currently under quarantine or investigation for CEM; and
that any female(s) in the shipment have not been bred naturally to, or
inseminated with, semen from a stallion positive for CEM, or a stallion
resident upon a positive premises or under quarantine or investigation
for CEM. Additionally, the animals must not show any signs of CEM on the
day of inspection.
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Semen has different restrictions based upon the date of collection.
Semen collected prior to December 15th 2008 does not require an import
permit, but will require a U.S. Health Certificate that declares the
date of collection, the identity of the donor stallion and the identity
of the collection premises. Semen collected after December 15th 2008
will require an import permit (obtained from CFIA), and a U.S. Health
Certificate with the declaration that the donor stallion(s) have not
been on a premises where Taylorella equigenitalis has been isolated
during the 60 days immediately preceding collection of the semen for
export to Canada or a premises currently under quarantine or
investigation for CEM; and that the semen was processed using an
extender that contains antibiotics effective against /Taylorella
equigenitalis/ . Semen presented for importation into Canada must be in
individual receptacles or straws, each marked with the collection date,
identity of the donor and the semen collection premises.
Embryos will require an import permit (obtained from CFIA), and a U.S.
Health Certificate with the declaration that the donor mare(s) have not
been on a premises where Taylorella equigenitalis has been isolated
during the 60 days immediately preceding the collection of the embryo(s)
for export to Canada or a premises currently under quarantine or
investigation for CEM and have not been bred naturally or inseminated
with semen from a stallion positive for CEM, or a stallion resident upon
a positive premises or under quarantine or investigation for CEM; and
that the flushing medium that was used to collect the embryo(s) contains
antibiotics effective against Taylorella equigenitalis. Embryos
presented for importation into Canada must be in sterile straws or
pipettes, each marked with the collection date, identity of the donor
and the embryo collection premises.
Import Permit applications can be obtained from the CFIA web site at
http://www.inspecti on.gc.ca/ english/anima/ heasan/import/ permit_covere. shtml.
A single import permit costs Cdn$35, multiple use Cdn$60. Border
inspection for semen will cost Cdn$35; horses (single) Cdn$25. Inland
inspection of semen will cost Cdn$32 for 1-49 units, Cdn$51 for 50-499
units, incrementally increasing for more units. Canadian horses that
enter the US and will be returning will now be given an extra page by
the endorsing CFIA Vet. to go with the Canadian Export Health
certificate, that must be presented to an accredited vet in the USA for
completion, and must be be endorsed by a USDA vet before returning to
Canada. Canada Border Services Agency will be looking for this document
before allowing re-entry. Additionally, semen and embryos will be
subject to inspection upon importation, and consequently there will be
restrictions in some cases as to point of entry to Canada. The
restrictions placed on entry of horses is implemented immediately, while
the restrictions on semen and embryos will be implemented approximately
January 26th 2009.
As it is not unlikely that there will be some initial confusion with
these new requirements, we recommend that Canadian importers and/or US
exporters in the near future contact CFIA and/or USDA-Aphis for
confirmation of requirements prior to attempting border crossing."