It is the exporter's responsibility to ensure that the animal meets the importing country requirements. Additional information to assist exporters with how to prepare reproductive material for export is available on the Department's website.

There are no agreed conditions for the export of cattle embryos to Canada.

An import permit and health certificate are required.

Information about the process required to import reproductive material into Canada from Australia can be found on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website.

Email

cfia.nisc-csni.acia@canada.ca

Note

Where an importing country issues an import permit, the exporter must ensure the animal meets any requirements in the permit.

Health certificate

I, Dr ……………………………… , a duly authorised government veterinary officer, hereby certify that:

1. 1. Australia is officially free of the following diseases:
   
   • - Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia
   • - Rinderpest
   • - Vesicular stomatitis
     
     
2. 2. The donor dam(s) were subjected to an intradermal test using bovine tuberculin performed within the thirty (30) days prior to collection or within the ninety (90) days immediately after the last collection with negative results (delete as appropriate).
   
   
3. 3. The donor animal(s) have been continuously resident in the country or zone of origin for a minimum of six (6) months immediately prior to collection of the exported germplasm or the donor animal(s) have been imported directly from Canada into the country in which the germplasm was collected.
   
   
4. 4. The animal(s) from which the exported germplasm was sourced have been examined and found free from clinical evidence of communicable disease during every procedure related to the preparation and collection of germplasm.
   
   
5. 5. The animal(s) or bird(s) from which the exported germplasm was sourced and all livestock in contact with the donor animal(s) or bird(s) have been examined and found free from clinical evidence of disease at least thirty (30) days after the final collection of exported germplasm.
   
   
6. 6. The donor animal(s) have been continuously resident in the herd or flock of origin for a minimum of thirty (30) days immediately prior to collection of the exported germplasm.
   
   
7. 7. The exported embryos/oocysts have been collected and processed by an embryo collection team approved by the Department.
   
   
8. 8. The exported germplasm have been collected and processed at a facility under the supervision of a veterinarian designated for this purpose by the Department, Australia. The facility at which the exported germplasm was collected has not been subject to any restriction or quarantine measure with respect to animal disease.
   
   
9. 9. The embryos have been conceived with semen from a donor sire standing at a semen collection centre approved by the Department.
   
   OR
   
   
10. The donor sire(s) used to fertilize the exported embryos have met the same residency and zoosanitary requirements as would be needed for the donor sire(s) to be eligible to enter an approved collection centre for the collection of semen for exportation to Canada.
    
    OR
    
    
11. The embryos have been conceived by artificial insemination with semen imported directly from Canada or semen that would meet current requirements for importation into Canada.
    
    
12. 10. The embryos have been washed, treated and processed in accordance with the protocol detailed in the Manual of the International Embryo Transfer Society (IETS); for washings and treatments, this means that ten (10) washings and two (2) trypsin treatments are required in the following sequence: 5 washing - 2 trypsin treatments - 5 washings. The zona pellucida of the embryos was examined on the entire surface using a magnification of not less than 50X and certified intact and free of adherent material.
    
    
13. 11. Fluids, media and ingredients of animal origin used for collection , processing, freezing or transport have been imported from North America, New Zealand or Australian sources (OIE International Zoosanitary code 8th edition appendix 4.2.3.3) and / or sterilized in accordance with the Manual of the International Embryo Transfer Society. Antibiotics must be added to the collection, washing, processing and storage media in accordance with the Manual of the International Embryo Transfer Society.
    
    The entire surface of the zona pellucida of each embryo have been examined at not less than 50X magnification and found intact and free from adherent material, prior to freezing or shipment of the embryos to Canada. Micromanipulated embryos must be examined prior to any micromanipulation which involves penetration of the zona pellucida.
    
    
14. 12. The germplasm presented for import into Canada have been collected, processed and stored in a hygienic manner that prevented contamination with pathogenic microorganisms. All material with animal ingredients used in the processing of the germplasm have been sourced and processed to prevent introduction of pathogenic microorganisms. All equipment used to collect, handle, wash, freeze and store the germplasm presented for import into Canada are new, or sterilized prior to use.
    
    
15. 13. Straws or ampules contain germplasm from only one donor. The cryogenic or cooling agent used in the process has not been used in association with any other product of animal origin. The straws or ampules were sealed prior to the time of freezing.
    
    
16. 14. The frozen germplasm presented for importation into Canada have been stored in sterile ampules, straws or receptacles in sanitized liquid nitrogen containers at an approved storage place for a minimum period of thirty (30) days prior to export.
    
    
17. 15. Embryos presented for importation into Canada have been stored in a sealed container in ampules, straws or other receptacles indelibly marked in accordance with the recommendations of the International Embryo Transfer Society (IETS) for labelling. The receptacles have been labelled with at least the following information: practitioner code, donor breed, donor registration number, donor management number or barn name or tattoo, sire registration number, straw number, number of embryos in receptacle (if greater than one), and freezing date (YYMMDD, eg. 11JA01).
    
    
18. 16. Prior to export, the container in which the embryos is to be transported was sealed by an Official Veterinarian, using seals bearing the marks: SEAL NUMBER: XXXXX
    
    Serial number of Shipping Tank

Attachment to health certificate

ATTACHMENT TO ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATE FOR EXPORT OF BOVINE EMBRYOS FROM AUSTRALIA TO CANADA

Embryo transfer veterinarian declaration

In addition to the health certificate, a declaration from the Embryo Team Veterinarian is required for assessment of this export.

This template (DOCX 34 KB | PDF 192 KB) provides the format for the Embryo transfer veterinarian declaration (ETVD) for the export of bovine embryos to Canada.

Transport requirements

The importing country may have specific transport requirements and you should check this. For example

The animal(s), germplasm or thing(s) described on this permit must be shipped by the most direct and appropriate route from the point of export to the address of destination in Canada. Transshipment through another country requires written authorization from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Written approval for routing of the shipment of animals through another country must be attached to the permit and accompany the shipment. With the exception of changing planes, animals must not be off loaded at any port of call en route.

Conditions can also be checked at Canada's Automated Import Reference System (AIRS).

Based on conditions included in an import permit issued by the Canadian authorities in 2021 and importing country website and information.

Entry last reviewed 13 October 2021.