Ministry for Primary Industries  
Standards  
Animal & Animal Products  
PO Box 2526 , Wellington 6140 
animalimports@mpi.govt.nz  
 
Guidance Document  
 
Importation of Pig Semen  
 
 
PIGSEMIC.GEN  
 
 
 
 
February 2013  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
   
Guidance Document for Pig Semen July 2012 i  
 
 
Contents   
 
Part A. Introduction  1 
Foreword  1 
Review and amendment  1 
Contact details  1 
Part B. General Guidance  1 
Approved countries  1 
Clearance  2 
Permit to import  2 
Part C. Approved Diagnostic Tests  2 
Part D. Veterinary Certificate Templates  2 
Part E. Country Specific Agreed Veterinary Certificates  8 
Part F. Revocation  8 
Part G. Review and amendment  8  
Guidance Document for Pig Semen July 2012 1 
 Part A. Introduction  
Foreword  
 
This guidance document has been issued to accompany the MPI Import Health Standard for 
Pig Semen PIGSEMIC.GEN  (the “standard”). This guidance document should be read in 
conjunction with the standard to ensure that all matters relating to meeting the requirements 
of the standard are fully understood. Importers are strongly advised to seek MPI guidance if 
they are unclear on any part prior to undertaking a ny activities relating to the importation of 
pig semen.  
 
For more information on how to import germplasm in general, please refer to General 
Information for Germplasm Imports on our website: 
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/imports/animals/standards/general -info-germplasm.htm  
 
Review and amendment  
 
This guidance document is subject to review and amendment at any time to ensure that it 
continues to meet its purpose. All stakeholders are responsible for ensuring that the most 
recent version of the guidance document, as available on the MPI website, is used.  
 
Contact details  
 
For all matters relating to the standard and this guidance document, please contact:  
 Animal Imports Team,  
Ministry for Primary Industries ,  
PO Box 2526,  
WELLINGTON 6011  
Fax: +64 4 894 0733  
Email : 
animalimports@mpi.govt.nz   
 
 
Part B. General Guidance  
Approved countries  
 
Only countries approved by MPI are eligible to export pig semen to New Zealand.  
 
Current approved countries are:  
 
• Australia  
• United States of America  
• Canada  
• European Community member states  
• Norway  
 
For the country approval process please refer to: General Information for Germplasm Imports (
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/im ports/animals/standards/general -info-germplasm.htm ). 
  
Guidance Document for Pig Semen July 2012 2 
   
Clearance  
Upon arrival in New Zealand the documentation accompanying the consignment must be 
inspected by an Inspector at the port of arrival. The Inspector may also inspect the 
consignment.  
 
Providi ng that the documentation meets all requirements noted in the veterinary certificate, 
the consignment may be given a biosecurity clearance under section 26 of the Biosecurity 
Act 1993 and the consignment released to the importer.  
 
Permit to import  
A Permi t to Import for semen or embryos must accompany the consignment. Application 
forms  can be sent to the contact details listed in this document.  
 
Part C. Approved D iagnostic Tests 
 Diagnostic tests for risk organisms must be those prescribed for international trade by the 
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). These diagnostic tests can be found by 
accessing the 
Terrestrial Animal Health Code  and Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines 
for Terrestrial Animals  online.  
 Where there are no OIE pr escribed diagnostic tests for a particular disease MPI will either 
recommend test(s) or a case may be made by the Competent Authority of the exporting country for an alternative. The test must be approved by MPI and will be recorded in the 
table below:  
 
Disease name  MPI recommended test(s)  MPI approved test(s)  
   
   
   
   
 
Part D. Veterinary Certificate T emplates                                   
 Veterinary certificates should be produced in accordance with the guidelines and overarching 
principles of the OIE Code (Chapter 5). This model certificate is intended as a guide only.  
 
 
 
Model Veterinary Certificate for International Trade in Pig Semen  
 Part I. Details of dispatch  
consignment  1.   Consignor (Exporter):  
Name:  
 
Address:  2.  a. Certificate reference number:  
b. Import permit number:  
3.  Competent Authority:  
 
4.  Consignee (Importer):  
 
Name:  
 
 
Address:   
Guidance Document for Pig Semen July 2012 3 
  
5. Country of origin                                               
  6.   Zone or compartment of origin*:  
 
7. Country of destination:                                      8. Place of destination  
9..  Semen collection centre:  
Name:                                                      
 
 
Address:  
 
 
Approval/registration number:  
 
 10..  Port of origin/departure:  11.  Date of departure:  
12. Transport container :  
o New / disinfected (delete as appropriate)  
Only if not new:  
o Disinfectant used:  
o Active chemical:  
o Date of disinfection  
 
13. Antibiotics (and their concentration) added to semen:  
14. Identification of container seal number:  
15.Identification of donor animals:  
 
Identification  Breed  Date of birth  Country of birth  Date of approval of animal into semen 
collection centre  
     
 
 
 
        
 16. Identification of semen  
 
Donor animal  Date(s) of collection  Straw identification  Number of straws  
    
 
 
 
 
 
* If referenced in Part II  
   
Guidance Document for Pig Semen July 2012 4 
  
         Part II.  Veterinary Certificate   II.a.  Certificate reference number:  
 
The Competent Authority of the exporting country is required to issue a signed, stamped and dated veterinary certificate atte sting 
the following:  
 
I,……………………………….., a veterinarian authorised by the Competent Authority certify, after due enquiry, that the semen 
described above satisfies the following requirements:  
 
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS  
 
Donor eligibility  
1. The donor boars have lived continuously in the exporting country for at least 90 days  and in the herd of origin for at least 
30 days immediately prior to their entry into isolation prior to collection of semen for export to New Zealand.  
 
Semen collection centre requirements  
2. Porcine  semen has been collected, handled, pr epared, processed and stored at semen collection centres approved for 
export by the Competent Authority. Semen collection centres are subject to regular inspection by an Official Veterinarian 
and are under the supervision of a semen collection centre veter inarian approved by the Competent Authority. The name 
and approval numbers of these semen collection centres are recorded on the veterinary certificate.  
 
Donor and semen collection centre health status  
3. The donor boars were not resident in any establishment  that is subject to quarantine restrictions, for at least the 90 days 
before the first semen collection for this consignment to New Zealand until completion of the testing of the donors  as 
required by this standard.  
 
4. Prior to admission to the semen collection centre, the donors were isolated for at least 30 days at a place specifically 
approved for this purpose by the Competent Authority. During this time they were not used for natural mating and were 
isolated from animals not of equivalent health st atus.  
 
5. The approved semen collection centre veterinarian ensured that, on the day(s) of collection of the semen, the health status of each donor was monitored and recorded, and the donor did not show any clinical evidence of infectious 
diseases transmissib le in semen.  
 
Semen collection, processing, storage and transport  
  
6. Semen must be collected, handled, prepared, processed and stored under the supervision of the approved semen 
collection centre veterinarian and in accordance with the OIE code.  
 
7. Antibiotics were added to the semen diluent in accordance with the OIE Code chapter on collection and processing of pig 
semen. The names of antibiotics added and their concentration are stated on the veterinary certificate. After addition of 
antibiotics, t he semen was kept at a temperature of not less than 5 degrees Celsius (for semen to be frozen) or 15 
degrees Celsius (for fresh semen) for at least 45 minutes.  
 
8. All straws are sealed and have a legible permanent mark to identify the donor and the date(s) o f collection. If a code was 
used for this information, its decipher accompanies the consignment. The marking, in accordance with the OIE Code, 
conforms to the international standards of the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR; 
www.icar.org ). 
 
9. The semen was only stored with germplasm that has been collected and processed in compliance with the OIE Code. 
Containers were held until export in a storage place approved by the Competent Authority of the exporting country.  
 
10. Frozen semen was placed in transport containers filled with fresh (previously unused) liquid nitrogen. Transport containers were either new (or disposable in the case of fresh semen) or disinfected. For the transport container used to 
transport the semen to New Zealand, the disinfectant used, its active chemical and date of disinfection is recorded on the 
veterinary certificate.  
 
11. The transport container, in which the semen is to be transported to New Zealand, was sealed, by either the semen 
collection centre veterinarian or an Official Veterinarian, using tamper evident seals. The seal number is recorded on the veterinary certificate.  
 Laboratory testing  
12. All required laboratory testing was conducted at a laboratory approved or endorsed by  the Competent Authority of the 
exporting country to conduct export testing.  
 
13. Laboratory or other diagnostic tests are those prescribed for that disease by the OIE for use during international trade, or 
specifically approved by MPI.  
 
 
  
Guidance Document for Pig Semen July 2012 5 
  
 
 
 
 
 
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:  
  
African swine fever (ASF) (Delete as applicable)  
 
         EITHER  
14. Semen originates from donor boars that have lived their entire lives in a country or zone free from ASF (in accordance 
with the requirements of the OIE Code);  
 
         OR  
 
15. Semen originates from a semen collection centre that complies with OIE Code Chapters 4.5 and 4.6.  
 
 
Aujeszky’s disease (AD) (Delete as applicable)  
 
         EITHER  
16. Semen originates from donor boars that were kept in a semen collection centre located in an AD-free country or zone (in 
accordance with the requirements of the OIE Code) at the time of semen collection;  
 
         OR  
 
17. Semen originates from a semen collection centre certified as compliant with OIE Code Chapters 4.5 and 4.6;  
 
 
Blue eye disease virus (Delete as applicable)  
 
        EITHER   
18. Semen originates from donor boars that were  kept in a semen collection centre located in a Blue eye disease  (PoRV ) 
free country or zone at the time of semen collection.  
 
         OR  
 
19. Semen originates from donor  boars that have been subject to serological testing using MPI approved tests with negative 
results.  
 
  
Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD -2) (Delete as applicable)  
          EITHER  
20. Semen originates from Donor boars have lived their entire lives in countries that  are free from BVD -2; 
          OR  
 
21. Semen originates from donor boars that were tested for antibody to BVD -2 virus by a MPI approved test at least 21 days 
after collection of the semen batch for export, with negative results . 
 
Classical swine fever (CSF) (Delete as applicable)  
 
         EITHER  
22. Donor boars have lived their entire lives in countries that are free from CSF (in accordance with the requirements of the 
OIE Code);  
 
         OR  
 
23. Semen originates from a semen collection centre that complies with OI E Code Chapters 4.5 and 4.6;  
 
 
Foot and mouth disease (FMD) (Delete as applicable)  
 
         EITHER  
24. Donors were resident for at least the 3 months before semen collection in a country or zone that is free from FMD without 
vaccination in accordance with the OIE Code;  
 
         OR  
 
25.  
a. The herds of origin, semen collection centre, donor animals and semen for export must comply with OIE Code 
recommendations for export of pig semen from countries or zones presenting a risk of FMD;   
Guidance Document for Pig Semen July 2012 6 
  
AND  
 
b.  Each semen collection, pro cessing and storage facility in the exporting country intended to be used during the 
preparation of an export consignment to New Zealand has been approved by MPI. The approval will be depen dent on 
the facility, its location and operating standards, and that the verification systems of the Competent Authority achieve a 
very high level of risk management for FMD. The process for MPI approval may include site inspection. MPI reserves the 
right to supervise collection, require the use of New Zealand approved semen collection personnel, or require any other 
measures deemed necessary to ensure compliance with facility and operating standards upon which the approval is 
based.  
 
 
Japanese encephalitis ( JE) 
 
26. Donor boars were resident in zones that are free from JE virus.  
 
Porcine myocarditis (Bungowannah virus) (Delete as applicable)  
 
         EITHER  
27. Semen originates from  donor boars that have been resident in  a country /zone/compartment  that is free from porcine 
myocarditis virus;  
 
        OR  
 
28.  
a. Donor boars  have been tested to demonstrate they were seropositive for porcine myocarditis virus and negative for 
porcine myocarditis virus RNA before entering the semen collection centre.  
 
AND  
 
b.     Every batch of semen to be imported was tested by a MPI approved RT -PCR test, with negative results.  
 
 
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) (Delete as applicable)  
 
         EITHER  
29. Semen originates from donor boars that have lived their entire lives in a country recognised by MPI as being free from 
PRRS  
 
        OR  
 
30. Boars were sourced from donor herds that do not vaccinate against PRRS, and were  tested by a multivalent serum 
ELISA fo r PRRS antibodies that uses both European and American strain antigens with negative results before entering 
the semen collection centre”  
 
AND  
 
a. At the start of the collection period and no less than 30 days subsequently, donor boars were tested for PRRS virus by 
serum PCR, with negative results;  
 
AND  
 
b. 21 to 50 days after the final sample collection, donor boars were tested by a multivalent serum ELISA for PRRS 
antibodies that uses both European and American strain antigens, with negative results.  
 
 
Swine vesicular disease (SVD) (Delete as applicable)  
 
         EITHER  
31. Semen originates from donor boars that have lived their entire lives in a country free from SVD (in accordance with the 
requirements of the OIE Code);  
 
         OR  
 
32. Semen originates from a semen collection centre that complies with OIE Code Chapters 4.5 and 4.6.  
 
 
 
 
Transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) (Delete as applicable)  
          EITHER  
33. Semen originates from donor boars that have been resident since birth in a country in which TGE is officially notifiable 
and no clinical case has been recorded in the previous three years  
                   AND   
Guidance Document for Pig Semen July 2012 7 
  
                 Semen originates from a semen collection centre that complies with OIE guidelines for General hygiene in semen                    
                collection and processing centres and also complies with the relevant aspects of the OIE guidelines on the Collection      
              and processing of bovine, small ruminant and porcine semen  
 
OR 
 
34. The donor boars showed no clinical sign of TGE on the day of collection of the semen;  
AND  
the donor boars  have been resident for at least 40 days on an artificial insemination centre , and all the pigs on 
this artificial insemination centre were free from clinical signs of TGE during the 12 months prior to collection;  
           and 
for fresh semen, the donor boars were subjected to a diagnostic test for TGE with negative results during the 30                                                      
days prior to collection;  
for frozen semen, the donor boars were subjected to a diagnostic test for TGE with negative results at least 
14 days after collection;  
 
                             AND  
Semen originates  from a semen collection centre that complies with OIE guidelines for General hygiene in semen 
collection and processing centres   and also complies with OIE guidelines on the Collection and processing of 
porcine semen  
 
 
 
Brucella suis (Delete as applicab le) 
           EITHER  
35. Semen originates from donor boars that have lived their entire lives in a country that is free from B. suis ; 
          OR  
 
36. Semen originates  from a semen collection centre that complies with OIE Code Chapters 4.5 and 4.6.  
 
Leptospira  spp.  
 
37. Semen diluents containing antibiotics  effective  against Leptospira spp. were used in the preparation of the semen.  
 
 
This certificate is valid for 4 months from the date of issue (unless revoked)  
 
 Semen Collection Centre Veterinarian:  
 
Name and address (in capital letters):                                                            
 
 
Date:                   Signature:  
  Official Veterinarian:  
 
Name and address (in capital letters):                                                            
 
 
Date:                   Signature:  
  
Official Veterinarian signature, 
Official stamp and date   
Guidance Document for Pig Semen July 2012 8 
   
 
 
Part E. Country Specific Agreed Veterinary C ertificates  
 This section contains the veterinary health certification agreed betwe en the Competent  
Authority of New Zealand and specific overseas countries. The certificates must be completed by the appropriate personnel as indicated in the certification and accompany the 
consignment to New Zealand.  
 
The agreed certificates may record all relevant clauses as described in the model veterinary 
certificate.  Alternatively, for current approved countries, they may be simplified to reflect MPI 
approved equivalent  national syst ems of the exporting country . 
 The agreed country specific veterinary certificates will be added as they become available. 
There will be a transition phase applicable once a bilateral veterinary certificate has been 
finalised. This transition phase will to tal four months, to allow donor animals to be prepared in 
accordance with new conditions. This means both old and new import conditions will be accepted. The application of new import conditions will apply after the transition period, with 
dates listed in the table below . At that time the previous Veterinary Certificate  for that country  
will be revoked and can no longer be used.  
 
 Agreed on  Transition period ends on  
Canada  TBD TBD 
USA TBD TBD 
Norway  TBD TBD 
Australia  TBD TBD 
EU TBD TBD 
 
Part F. Revocation  
 
This standard revokes and replaces the following MPI  standards:  
 
• MPI Biosecurity Standard PIGSEMIC.AUS - Pig semen from Australia 24 July 
2000  
• MPI Biosecurity Standard PIGSEMIC.NAM – Pig semen from Canada or the USA 
11 February 2011  
• MPI Biosecu rity Standard PIGSEMIC.NCA – Pig semen from New Caledonia 6 
March 2000  
• MPI Biosecurity Standard PIGSEMIC.NOR – Pig semen from Norway 13 January 
2000  
 
Part G. Review and amendment  
This guidance document is subject to on going review and amendment. MPI  is committed to 
ensuring that guidance and advice is sought and considered prior to amendments being 
finalised.   
Guidance Document for Pig Semen July 2012 9 
  
All stakeholders are responsible for ensuring that the most recent version of the guidance 
document, as available on the MPI  website, is used.  
 
Amendment  Date of amendment/version  
First issue of Guidance Document