New Requirements for Exporting Colts to Australia

New Requirements for Exporting Colts from New Zealand to Australia

New Zealand Bloodstock has been advised by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) that the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) have implemented a new import health certificate for horses.

Starting on May 1st 2011, the new import health certificate will require Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) tests to be conducted on all colts over the age of 12 months old. The EVA test screens for EVA antibodies in the blood which indicate the presence of the viral disease, the disease is transmitted through both the respiratory and reproductive systems and can cause abortions in pregnant mares.

This requirement will unfortunately mean an additional cost to owners freighting colts to Australia, in order to cover the additional veterinary costs to take blood samples, courier costs to send samples to the laboratory, and testing fees. This test can be sensitive and results may be delayed due to inability to obtain a result, in which case re-testing will be required.

New Zealand Bloodstock Airfreight Manager Greg Northcott says this new compliance obligation is an unfortunate result for New Zealand, but hopes that it will be a temporary measure until an alternative solution is found.

"It is very disappointing that after much negotiation, and despite many years of exporting New Zealand horses to Australia free of disease, we have been unable to convince the authorities to change this ruling."

"New Zealand Bloodstock will, however, continue to work closely with MAFBNZ to search for an outcome that the Australian authorities are comfortable with. Hopefully we will be able to resolve these issues and get back to the relatively free and easy trade that we are accustomed to."

Things to remember:

* New Zealand Bloodstock Airfreight will require longer lead up time prior to travel to organise blood tests.
* There will be additional costs to cover the EVA test, courier and vet.
* The test takes three days to get a reading, however tests can fail and must therefore be repeated.
* The laboratory sets up on a Tuesday and Friday (results Friday and Monday).
* Results will expire after 21 days.
* Affects all equine, including donkeys, asses and mules.
* Geldings, fillies, mares, and colts less than 12 months old, are exempt from this requirement.

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