Welcome!
• Home • FAQs
• Site Map
Weather
• Contacts
Free Service Appreciation
Choose Pondside Web Productions for your hosting and web design needs!

Import Permits and USDA Health Certificates Required for Equine Semen and Embryos from the United States

January 30, 2009

Ottawa, ON --- Effective January 30, 2009 the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has announced that an import permit is now required for the importation of semen and embryos from the U.S. into Canada. These revised import restrictions are a result of the expanding investigation into Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) in the U.S.

Canadians seeking timely information regarding import requirements are advised to use the CFIA’s Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) at

http://airs-sari.inspection.gc.ca/Airs_External/Default.aspx.

Instructions for Canadian Importers of Semen and Embryos from the US into Canada:

1. Notify immediately the companies/agents/owners in the U.S. that you wish to acquire semen or embryos from and inform them that a USDA-endorsed zoosanitary export certificate MUST accompany all shipments from the U.S. to Canada. For more information and to obtain the required certificate, please visit: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/downloads/ca_eq_se.pdf

2. Before semen is shipped, importers in Canada must obtain an import permit from the CFIA. To download an Import Permit Application Form for Live Animals, Semen, Embryos, Animal Products and By-Products, visit the CFIA website at the following link: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/import/permit_covere.shtml .

a. The Import Permit Application Form is to be completed by the importer.

b. Next, contact a CFIA area office ( a complete list of CFIA offices can be found at the end of this release). The completed application must be faxed or mailed with payment to the Import Office in the province you reside in or into which you will be importing the semen or embryos. CFIA have given Equine Canada assurances that you will be contacted by the Import Office within three (3) days of receipt of the application form with information on how to proceed.

c. Single entry (one time) permits cost $35. Multiple entry permits are valid for one year and cost $60. An agent or broker may use this method to do combined shipments of multiple stallions and/or exporters and/or destinations. To reference the responsibilities of Brokers, visit the CFIA website link at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/imp/kite.shtml

In its investigation of CEM in the US, the USDA has undertaken an extensive traceback exercise to identify and locate all horses in the U.S. that have been exposed to the CEM positive stallions either through direct contact or collected semen. For more information, visit http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/hot_issues/cem/index.shtml .

CEM is a reportable disease in Canada and the U.S. This means that all suspected cases in Canada must be reported to the CFIA for immediate investigation by inspectors. CEM is a highly contagious disease that affects the reproductive tract of horses. The disease can cause temporary infertility in mares. In most cases, CEM can be successfully treated with disinfectants and antibiotics.

On February 7, 2009, at 9:30 a.m., a CFIA representative will provide an update on CEM at the Breeds & Industry Delegate Assembly at the Equine Canada Convention taking place at the Crowne Plaza in Ottawa, ON. Everyone is welcome to attend. More information about the Equine Canada Convention may be found www.equinecanada.ca .

As new information about import/export protocols or the CEM outbreak becomes available, the Breeds & Industry Division of Equine Canada will issue updates to Canadian stakeholders. All updates can be found at http://www.equinecanada.ca/breedsandindustry/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&id=232&Itemid=12&lang=en-GB

CFIA area offices:

Atlantic - Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick

Dr. Al McLean / (Mrs. Florence Saulnier- Assistant)

Import Officer, Animal Health, CFIA

P.O. Box 6088

5th Floor

1081 Main Street

Moncton, New Brunswick

E1C 8R2

Telephone: 506-851-7651

Facsimile: 506-851-3700

Quebec

Dr. Alain Lajoie / (Mr. Andre Anctil)

Import Officer, Animal Health, CFIA

Room 746-S, 2001 University Avenue

Montreal, Quebec

H3A 3N2

Telephone: 514-283-8888

Facsimile: 514-283-6214

Ontario

Dr Susan Wray / (Ms. Chris Paolini)

Import Contact, Animal Health, CFIA

174 Stone Road West

Guelph, Ontario

N1G 4S9

Telephone: 519-826-2810

Facsimile: 519-837-9771

West - Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia

Dr. Gary Kruger / (Mr. Craig Sellars)

Import Officer, Animal Health, CFIA

Western Area Office

1115 - 57 Avenue North East

Calgary, Alberta

T2E 9B2

Telephone: 403-292-5825

Facsimile: 403-292-6629

About Equine Canada Breeds & Industry Division

Equine Canada Breeds & Industry Division provides a structure for the more than 40 breed organizations operating in Canada to unite as a coalition under the national federation of Equine Canada. It provides a forum from which to seek and exchange information between Equine Canada, Canadian stakeholders, the Government of Canada and foreign entities. The Breeds & Industry Division works to promote and assist a vibrant equine industry and to affect policy in Canada. Breed organizations and industry partners share resources and expertise with unity of purpose to increase the long-term profitability of Canada's equine sector and ensure its future viability. Visit www.equinecanada.ca for complete information about the Equine Canada Breeds & Industry Division.

About Equine Canada

Equine Canada is a member-based association that represents, promotes and services Canada's equine community and industry. Its core areas of activity involve sport, equine health and welfare, education and safety, governance and marketing, representation and communication. Equine Canada is recognized by Sport Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Coaching Association of Canada as the national organization representing equestrian sport and equine interests in Canada. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca

To January 2009 News Articles Index | To Ontario Equine ...On-Line Home