Import Health Standard  
 
 
Semen and Embryos from 
Sheep (Ovis aries)  and 
Goats (Capra hircus)  
OVCAGERM.GEN  
. 
 
 
 
An import health standard issued under  the Biosecurity Act 1993 Import Health Standard Import Health Standard :  Semen and Embryos from Sheep (Ovis aries)  and Goats (Capra hircus)  
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Import Health Standard :  Semen and Embryos from Sheep (Ovis aries)  and Goats (Capra hircus)  
PURPOSE 
This import health standard (IHS) specifies  the minimum requirements that must be met when importing 
semen and embryos from s heep ( Ovis aries ) and goats ( Capra hircus ). 
COMMENCEMEN T 
This Import Health Standard  comes into force on .. 
ISSUING AUTHORITY  
This import health standard is issued under section 24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993  
 
Dated at Wellington this .  
  
 
 
 
 
Howard Pharo  
Manager, Import and Export Animals  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
(acting under delegated authority of the Director General)  
 
 
 
 
 
Contact for further information  
Ministry for Primary Industries  (MPI) 
Animal Imports  
PO Box 2526  
Wellington 6140  
Email:  animalimports@mpi.govt.nz  
  
 
 Import Health Standard Import Health Standard :  Semen and Embryos from Sheep (Ovis aries)  and Goats (Capra hircus)  
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Contents  Page 
Part 1:  Introduction 4 
1.1 Background  4 
1.2 What and whom this standard applies to 4 
1.3 The outcome this standard is seeking to achieve 4 
1.4 Equivalence  4 
1.5 Consequences of not complying with t his standard 5 
1.6 Definitions  5 
1.7 Incorporation of material by reference 5 
1.8 Other Information  5 
Part 2:  Requirements  6 
2.1 Eligibility  6 
2.2 What countries this standard applies to  6 
2.3 Exporting country systems and certification 6 
2.4 Diagnostic testing, vaccination, and treatment  6 
2.5 Embryo collection team and flock/herd approval requirements  7 
2.6 Semen collection facility requirements  7 
2.7 Health status  7 
2.8 Collection and processing 8 
2.9 Storage  8 
2.10  Transport  9 
2.11  The documentation that must accompany goods  9 
2.12  Biosecurity clearance 10 
Part 3:  Specified Requirements for Identified Risk Organisms  11 
3.1 Bluetongue virus (BTV)  11 
3.2 Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHF)  11 
3.3 Foot and mouth disease virus (FMD)  11 
3.4 Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (ovine pulmonary adenomatosis)  11 
3.5 Maedi -visna virus  12 
3.6 Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPR)  12 
3.7 Rift Valley fever virus (RVF)  12 
3.8 Capripox virus (sheep and goat pox)  13 
3.9 Vesicular stomatitis virus (VS)  13 
3.10  Wesselsbron virus  13 
3.11  Brucella melitensis (caprine and ovine brucellosis)  13 
3.12  Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. Capripneumoniae (contagious caprine 
pleuropneumonia)  13 
3.13  Mycoplasma agalactiae (contagious agalactia)  14 
3.14  Mycobacterium caprae and Mycobacterium bovis  14 
3.15  Chlamydia abortus (enzootic abortion of ewes)  14 
3.16  Coxiella burnetii  (Q Fever)  15 
3.17  Scrapie  15 
Appendix 1 –  Definit ions and Acronyms  16 
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Part 1:  Introduction  
1.1 Backgro und 
(1) The Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) provides the legal basis for excluding, eradicating and effectively 
managing pests and unwanted organisms.  
(2) Import health standards (IHSs) issued under the Act set out requirements to be met to effectively 
manage biosecurity risks associated with importing goods. They i nclude requirements that must be 
met in the exporting country, during transit, and during importation, before biosecurity clearance can be 
given.  
(3) This particular IHS sets out the minimum requirements that must be met when importing semen and 
embryos from sheep ( Ovis aries ) and goats ( Capra hircus ) into New Zealand.  
(4) A guidance document accompanies this IHS providing information on how the requirements may be 
met 
1.2 What and whom this standard  applies to 
(1) This IHS applies to importers of eligible consignments of semen and embryos from sheep ( Ovis aries ) 
and goats ( Capra hircus ). 
1.3 The outcome this standard  is seeking to achieve  
(1) The outcome this IHS i s seeking to achieve is the effective management of biosecurity risks associated 
with semen and embryos from sheep ( Ovis aries ) and goats ( Capra hircus ).  
(2) The risk organisms associated with semen and embryos from sheep ( Ovis aries ) and goats ( Capra 
hircus ) that are managed by this IHS are:  
a) Bluetongue virus   
b) Sheeppox  and goatpox,  capripox virus  
c) Crimean  Congo haemorrhagic fever virus  
d) Foot and mouth disease virus  
e) Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus, ovine pulmonary adenomatosis  
f) Maedi-visna virus  
g) Peste des petits ruminants virus  
h) Rift Valley fever virus  
i) Vesicular stomatitis virus  
j) Wesselsbron virus   
k) Brucella melitensis , caprine an d ovine brucellosis  
l) Mycoplasma capricolum subsp capripneumoniae , contagious caprine pleuropneumonia  
m) Mycoplasma agalactia e, contagious agalactia  
n) Mycobacterium bovis  and Mycobacterium capra e, tuberculosis  
o) Chlamydophila  spp., enzootic abortion  of ewes  
p) Coxiella burnetii , Q fever  
q) Scrapie  
1.4 Equivalence  
(1) The Chief Technical Officer (CTO) may approve measures under section 27(1)(d) of the Act, different 
from those set out in this IHS, that may be applied to effectively manage risks associated with the Import Health Standard Import Health Standard :  Semen and Embryos from Sheep (Ovis aries)  and Goats (Capra hircus)  
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under section 24D(2) of the Act, if the Director -General considers it appropriate to do so.  
See guidance document for more information about equivalence and permits  
1.5 Consequences of not complying with this standard  
(1) It is the importer’s responsibility to ensure the requirements of this IHS are met. Consignments that do 
not comply with the requirements of this IHS may not be cleared for entry into New Zealan d and/or 
further information may be sought from importers. Consignments that do not comply with the 
requirements of this IHS may be re -shipped or destroyed under the Act or tested/ treated  in accordance 
with this IHS prior to release or equivalence determined. Importers are liable for all associated 
expenses.  
See guidance document for more information about importer responsibilities.  
1.6 Definitions  
(1) Refer to Appendix 1 . 
1.7 Incorporation of material by reference  
(1) The following international standards are incorporated by reference in this IHS under section 142M of 
the Act:  
a) The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Manual  of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for 
Terrestrial Animals (the Manual ) (available at the OIE website: http://www.oie.int/international -
standard -setting/terrestrial -manual/access -online/ ). 
b) The OIE Terre strial Animal Health Code  (the Code ) (available at the OIE Website: 
http://www.oie.int/international -standard -setting/terrestrial -code/access- online/ ). 
c) The International Embryo Transfer Society Manual (the IETS Manual) (available at the IETS website: 
http://www.iets.org/ ). 
d) The International Committee for Animal Recording ( available at the ICAR  website : 
www.icar.org ). 
(2) The following MPI material is  incorporated by reference in this IHS under section 142M of the Act:  
a) MPI Approved Diagnostic Tests, Vaccines, Treatments and P ost-Arrival Testing Laboratories 
for Animal Import Health Standards (MPI -STD-TVTL) . (found here: 
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/fil es/regs/imports/animals/mpi -std-tvt-diagnostic -tests -vaccines -
treatments -post-arrival -testing.pdf ) 
b) MPI List of FMD -Free Countries and Zones  (found here: 
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/pests/foot -n-mouth/fmd -free-countries -and-zones.pdf )  
(3) Under section 142O(3) of the Act it is declared that section 142O(1) does not apply, that is, a notice 
under section 142O(2) of the Act is not required to be publish ed before material that amends or 
replaces the above listed standards, guideline or lists has legal effect as part of these documents.  
See guidance document for more information about incorporation by reference and section 142O(1)  
1.8 Other Information  
(1) This is not an exhaustive list of compliance requirements and it is the importer’s responsibility to be 
familiar with and comply with all New Zealand laws.  Field  Code  ChangedImport Health Standard Import Health Standard :  Semen and Embryos from Sheep (Ovis aries)  and Goats (Capra hircus)  
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Part 2:  Requirements 
2.1 Eligibility  
(1) Semen and embryos must be from Ovis aries  or Capra hircus  and must be frozen and non -genetically 
modified . 
(2) Embryos must be i n vivo derived and non- cloned.  
2.2 What countries this standard applies to  
(1) Semen and embryos from sheep ( Ovis aries ) and goats ( Capra hircus ) may be imported into New 
Zealand from all countries that meet the require ments of this IHS.  
2.3 Exporting country systems and certification  
(1) Importation may only occur from a country where the Competent Authority has provide d the following 
evidence  to the satisfaction of the CTO : 
a) the verifiable animal health status of ovine and caprine populations in the exporting country or 
zone,  with respect to biosecurity risk organisms of concern ;   
b) the national systems/ programmes and standards in the exporting country for regulatory 
oversight of livestock and germplasm collection ; and   
c) the capabilities and preferences of the exporting country’s Competent Authority with respect to 
achieving equivalent outcomes to requirements stated in the IHS.  
(2) MPI reserves the right to perform an in -country or desk -top audit at any time, including prior to the first 
shipment of germplasm.  
See guidance document for more information about exporting country systems and certification.  
2.4 Diagnostic testing , vaccination , and treatment  
(1) Any laboratory conducting the  pre-export and/or surveillance testing  as specified in the IHS must be 
approved by the Competent Authority of a country approved to export to New Zealand .   
(2) Laboratory samples must be collected, processed, and stored in accordance with the 
recommendations in th e Code  and/or the Manual .  
(3) Tests used must be listed in and carried out in accordance with MPI -STD-TVTL.  
(4) All products and vaccinations administered to meet the specific disease requirements in Part 3 must be administered according to the manufacturer’s ins truction  in a country approved to export to New 
Zealand .  All vaccinations were either the final dose of a primary course or the recommended booster 
to complement the primary course.  
(5) All product names, manufacturers, active ingredients (where applicable),  dose and date of treatment 
must be recorded on the Veterinary Certificate.  
(6) All vaccine names, whether they are inactivated or modified live virus, and the virus types and strains 
included in the vaccine must be recorded on the Veterinary Certificate.  
See guidance document for more information about tests and vaccination . Import Health Standard Import Health Standard :  Semen and Embryos from Sheep (Ovis aries)  and Goats (Capra hircus)  
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(1) At the time of collection of embryos for export to New Zealand, the embryo collection team must be 
approved by and registered with the Competent Authority of the exporting country to collect, process, 
and store embryos for export in accordance with the cur rent recommendations of the OIE Code  or 
legislation of the exporting country (where MPI deems this to be equivalent) and the current IETS Manual .   
(2) The Competent Authority must have knowledge of and authority over the embryo collection flock or 
herd until completion of collection and testing specified by this IHS.  
2.6 Semen collection facility  requirements 
(1) The semen collection facility must meet the conditions specified in the OIE Code Chapter on general 
hygiene in semen collection and processing centres.  
(2) The semen collection facility  must be:  
a) approved for ex port by the Competent Authority ; 
b) subject to regular inspection , at least every 12 months,  by an Offic ial Veterinarian ; and 
c) under the supervision of a semen collection facility  veterinarian approved by the Competent 
Authority.   
(3) The name and approval number of the semen collection facility  must be recorded on the veterinary 
certificate.  
(4) Donors may be transferred from one approved semen collection facility  to another of equal hea lth 
status without isolation or testing if  all of the following requirements are met : 
a) Donors must be  examined, by the approved semen collection facility  veterinarian, and show no 
clinical sign of disease on the day of entry into the facility . 
b) Transfer must  be direct . 
c) Transfer must be  through a bluetongue infected zone, or donors must be  protected from insect 
attack during transit . 
d) Donors must  not come into direct or indirect contact with a nimals of a lower health status.   
e) The means of transport must be  disinfected before use . 
2.7 Health status  
(1) Embryo donors must be resident in the embryo collection flock/herd for at least 28 days prior to 
collection of embryos for export to New Zealand.  
(2) Semen donors must be isolated for at least 28 days at a place specific ally approved for this purpose by 
the Competent Authority prior to admission to the semen collection facility .  During this time they must 
not be used for natural mating and must be isolated from animals not of equivalent health status.  
(3) The approved embryo  collection team veterinarian or semen collection facility  veterinarian is 
responsible for ensuring that the donor is free from clinical evidence of infectious diseases 
transmissible in semen or embryos on the day of collection.  
(4) Where a specific requirement for a risk organism is met by pre- collection testing, embryo donors must 
be isolated from other sheep or goats not of an equivalent tested health status, from the time of the 
pre-collection test until completion of embryo collection for export to New Zealand.  
(5) Where a specific requirement for a risk organism is met by monitoring for clinical signs for a specified 
time after collection, the semen or embryos must be stored for that amount of time prior to export.  
(6) Embryos produced for the consignment must be  fertilised from semen which:  Import Health Standard Import Health Standard :  Semen and Embryos from Sheep (Ovis aries)  and Goats (Capra hircus)  
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b) Is collected, processed, and stored at a semen collection facility  that complies with the official 
semen collection facility  protocols of th e exporting country (where MPI deems this to be 
equivalent); or  
c) Where natural service or fresh semen was used, donor males must be inspected, found free 
from clinical evidence of infectious diseases transmissible in semen, and  satisfy the  testing and 
isolation requirements for semen from sheep and goats.  
2.8 Collection and processing  
(1) Embryos must be collected and processed in accordance with the recommendations in the OIE Code  
Chapter on collection and processing of in vivo  derived embryos from livestock.  
(2) Semen must be collected and processed in accordance with the current recommendations of the OIE 
Code  Chapter on collection and processing of small ruminant semen, unless indicated otherwise in 
Part 3 of this IHS.  
(3) Embryos must be treated with trypsin during the washing process as described in the IETS Manual .   
(4) Embryos must have an intact zona pellucida and be free of adherent material after the final wash when 
examined over its entire surface at not less than 50X magnification. If any micro- manipulation is done 
that causes a breach of the zona pellucida, it must  be done according to the procedures described in 
the OIE Code  and IETS Manual .   
(5) Media and solutions used to produce embryos must be either sterili sed by approved methods 
according to the IETS Manual  or commercially (pre- packaged) prepared sterile media. They must be 
handled in such a manner as to ensure that sterility is maintained.  All biological products of animal 
origin used in the media and solutions must be free from pathogenic organisms including pestiviruses.   
(6) Antibiotics recommended in the OIE Code and IETS Manual  must be added to embryo collection, 
processing, washing and storage media and to the semen diluent in accordance with the OIE Code . 
The names of antibiotics added and their concentration must be stated on the veterinary certificate.   
2.9 Storage  
(1) The cryogenic or cooling agent used in the freezing process, storage, and transport must not have 
been used previously in association with any other product of animal origin.  
(2) Dry ice and associated equipment to process semen pellets must be managed to prevent 
contamination with semen of donors not of equivalent tested health status.  
(3) Semen and embryos must be in new or sanitised containers, which are sealed and tamper -evident , 
and clearly and permanently marked to identify the donor and the date(s) o f freezing. If a code is used 
for this information, its decipher instructions must accompany the consignment. The marking should, in 
accordance with the OIE Code , conform to the international standards of the IETS or to the 
international standards of the I nternational Committee for Animal Recording.  
(4) Semen and embryos for export must only be stored with germplasm that has been approved for export 
to New Zealand . Containers must be held in a storage place approved by the Competent Authority of 
the exporting c ountry  until the time of export . 
(5) Storage of germplasm in a third country (other than the country of origin) is permitted if the third 
country has MPI approved systems and certification  for the export of s emen and e mbryos from sheep 
and goats to New Zealand . The consignment of germplasm must be accompanied by a veterinary 
certificate (a current version) certified by the country of origin to export to New Zealand, or a letter from 
the country of origin’s Competent Authority indicating that the germplasm meets  New Zealand’s current 
import requirements. The germplasm must also be accompanied by a declaration from the Competent Authority of the third country, linking the germplasm from the country of origin to the germplasm being Import Health Standard Import Health Standard :  Semen and Embryos from Sheep (Ovis aries)  and Goats (Capra hircus)  
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at  a facility approved by the Competent Authority.   
2.10 Transport  
(1) Transport containers must  be sanitised and free of contamination . When the transport container is not 
new, the disinfectant, it s active chemical and date of disinfection must be recorded on the veterinary 
certificate.  
(2) The transport container in which germplasm is  transported to New Zealand must be sealed, by either 
the semen facility  or embryo collection team veterinarian or an o fficial veterinarian, using tamper -
evident seals.  The seal number must be recorded on the veterinary certificate.  
(3) Where  semen or embryos are transferred from one transport container  to another , the date of transfer, 
approved collection facility  or flock/herd , reason for transfer, and name of veterinarian involved in the 
transfer must be recorded on the veterinary certificate.  
2.11 The documentation that must accompany goods  
(1) The consignment must arrive in New Zealand with  a:  
a) permit to import issued b y MPI (copy acceptable);   
b) Veterinary Certificate ; and either  
i) a tabulated summary of laboratory results (must include dates of sample collection, test 
type, and test results); or  
ii) copies of laboratory reports . 
(2) The Veterinary Certificate that accompan ies a consignment must include all of the following:  
a) Unique consignment identifier    
b) Species, donor animal identification, quant ity (semen/embryos)  
c) Dates of collection  
d) Collection facility  name or embryo collection  herd/flock name, date of entry  
e) Name and address of importer (cons ignee) and exporter (consignor)  
f) Certification and endorsements that the requirements outlined in Part 2 and Part 3 of this IHS 
have been met  
g) Transport container seal numb er and disinfection information  
h) Name, signature, and contact detail s of the Official Veterinarian  
i) All diagnostic tests,  including test type, date of sampling, and results , in the form of a tabulated 
summary or copies of laboratory reports  
j) All products and vaccines administered to meet specific disease import requirements, i ncluding 
the generic n ame, active ingredient, dose rate, and date of treatment  
(3) The documentation must:  
a) be original, unless otherwise stated ;  
b) accompa ny the imported goods ; 
c) be in English or have an English translation that is  clear and legible ; 
d) be endorsed by the Official Veterinarian with their original stamp, signature and date on every 
page (except permit to import) or be endorsed in the space allocated and all pages have paper 
base d alternative security features ; and  
e) Copies of all documentation must be s upplied to the Biosecurity Inspector at the port of entry at 
least one working day prior to arrival.  Import Health Standard Import Health Standard :  Semen and Embryos from Sheep (Ovis aries)  and Goats (Capra hircus)  
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(1) A biosecurity clearance, under section 26 of the Act 1993, may be issued when the s emen and 
embryos from sheep and goats meet all the  requirements of this IHS, provided the applicable 
requirements in section 27 of the Act are met.  Import Health Standard Import Health Standard :  Semen and Embryos from Sheep (Ovis aries)  and Goats (Capra hircus)  
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Part 3:  Specified Requirements for Identified Risk Organisms  
Note: Requirements are for semen and embryo donors unless otherwise specified.  
3.1 Bluetongue virus (BTV)  
(1) Donors must : 
a) be resident in a BTV  free country  or zone in  accordance with the requirements of the OIE Code, 
for at least the 60 days prior to and during collection ; or 
b) be resident  during the seasonally free period in a BTV seasonally free zone in accordance with 
the requirements of the  OIE Code , for at least the 60 days prior to collection; or 
c) be resident in  a vector -protected facility  for at least the 60  days prior to  collection  and t he facility 
must be  regularly inspected and certified as being free from Culicoides spp.  throughout the 
perio d when the donors are  resident;  or 
d) be subjected to a BTV test listed in MPI -STD-TVTL,  with negative results.  
3.2 Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHF)  
(1) Donors must be  resident in a country:  
a) recognised by the Compet ent Authority as free from CCHF  for the 21 days before collection ; 
and 
b) where CCHF is officially notifiable;  or 
(2) Donors must be  shorn  (as required for tick inspection) , including the head and lower legs, treated with 
an acaricide listed in MPI -STD-TVTL , and systematically inspected , under Official Veterinarian 
supervision,  to ensure they are free from ticks before entering an approved vector -proof facility, where 
they were held for at least 21 days before the first collection. The facility must be  regul arly inspected 
and tick -free throughout the period when the donors were resident . 
3.3 Foot and mouth disease virus (FMD)  
(1) Donors must be  resident in a country or zone that is free from FMD in accordance with the MPI List of 
FMD -Free Countries and Zones ; or  
(2) Semen and embryo imports must comply with the FMD recommendations for ruminant semen1 in the 
OIE Code . 
3.4 Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (o vine pulmonary adenomatosis)   
(1) Donors must be resident since birth  in countries recognised by the Competent Authority  as free from 
jaagsiekte; or  
(2) Donors must be  resident : 
a) in a country where jaagsiekte is notifiable;  
b) only in premise s that have remained free from jaagsiekte for at least the 10 years prior to 
collection and no sheep /goat from a flock /herd of inferior healt h status has been  introduced 
during that period;  and  
                                                        
1 The OIE Code does not currently provide FMD measures for ovine or caprine in vivo  embryo trade ; however MPI requires the semen 
measures be applied to embryo imports .  Import Health Standard Import Health Standard :  Semen and Embryos from Sheep (Ovis aries)  and Goats (Capra hircus)  
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(3) Donors must be subjected to a j aagsiekte test, listed in MPI -STD-TVTL , with negative results . 
3.5 Maedi -visna virus  
(1) Donors must be resident since birth in countries recognised by the Competent Authority as free from 
maedi -visna ; or 
(2) Donors must only reside with herds/flocks where maedi -visna has neither clinically nor serologically 
been diagnosed and where animals of inferior health st atus have not been introduced during the 3 
years before collection for New Zealand; and  either  
a) Semen donors must comply with the OIE Code  Chapter  on collection and p rocessing of small 
ruminant semen; or 
b) Embryo d onors : 
i) over one year of age must be subjected  to a maedi -visna test listed in MPI -STD-TVTL , 
with negative results,  during the 30 days prior to entering isolation ;  
ii) must be subjected to a maedi -visna test listed in MPI -STD-TVTL, with negative results, 
at least 21 days after entering the collection her d/flock  and at least annually thereafter 
while in the col lection herd/flock . 
3.6 Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPR)  
(1) Donors must be  resident in a PPR free country or zone in accordance with the OIE Code  for at least 21 
days prior to and during collection;  or 
(2) Embryo donors must comply with the OIE Code  recommendations for embryos of small ruminants from 
PRR infected countries; or  
(3) Semen donors must comply with the OIE Code  recommendations for semen of small ruminants from 
PPR infected countries; and  either  
a) Donors vaccinated against PPR must have been  vaccinated between 21 and 120 days prior to 
semen collection; or  
b) Unvaccinated donors  must be  subjected to a PPR test listed in MPI -STD-TVTL at least 21 days 
after semen collection, with negative results.  
3.7 Rift Va lley fever virus (RVF)  
(1) Donors must be resident  in a RVF free country  or zone in accordance with the OIE Code  for at least 
the 30 days prior to  collection; or 
(2) Donors from RVF infected countries or zones must comply with the OIE Code  recommendations for in 
vivo derived ruminant embryos2; or 
(3) Donors must be held in a vector -proof facility for at least 30 days prior to and during collection and 
never show clinical signs of RVF. The facility must be  inspected regularly and mosquito -free throughout 
the period when donors were resident.  
                                                        
2 There are currently no OIE Code  measures for ovine/caprine semen importation from RVF infected countries or zones ; however MPI 
requires the embryo measures be applied to semen imports .   Import Health Standard Import Health Standard :  Semen and Embryos from Sheep (Ovis aries)  and Goats (Capra hircus)  
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Formatted:  Font: 9 pt 3.8 Capripox  virus (sheep and goat pox)  
(1) Donors must be resident in a s heep and goat  pox free country in accordance with the OIE Code  for at 
least the 21 days prior to collection;  or 
(2) Donors from sheep and goat  pox infected countries must comply with the OIE Code recommendations 
for semen3 from sheep and goats.   
3.9 Vesicular stomatitis virus (VS) 
(1) Donors must be  resident in a country or zone that is free from VS in accordance with the OIE Code  for 
at least the 21 days prior to collection; or 
(2) Donors must be  resident in a flock/herd where no case of VS was reported at the time of collection and   
for the 30 days after collection . 
3.10 Wesselsbron virus 
(1) Dono rs must be resident  in a country r ecognised by the Competent Authority  as free f rom circulating 
Wessel sbron disease  virus (serological surveys required) for at least the 21 days prior to collection ; or  
(2) Donors must be resident in a n establishment  where Wessel sbron disease has not occurred  for at least  
the 21 days prior to collection . 
3.11 Bruc ella melitensis (caprine and ovine brucellosis )  
(1) Donors must be  resident in a country, zone, or flock/herd that is officially free from caprine and ovine 
brucellosis in accordance with the OIE Code ; or 
(2) Embryo d onors must comply with the caprine and ovine b rucellosis recommendations for importation 
of embryos/ova of sheep and goats in the  OIE Code ; or 
(3) Semen donors must comply with the caprine and ovine brucellosis recommendations for importation of 
semen of sheep and goats in the OIE Code . 
3.12 Mycoplasma caprico lum subsp. C apripneumoniae  (contagious 
caprine pleuropneumonia ) 
(1) For goats only:  
a) Donors must be  resident in a country that is free from contagious caprine pleuropneumonia 
(CCPP) in accordance with the OIE Code ; or  
b) For at least the 45 days p rior to collection,  d onors did not reside i n a CCPP infected zone , in 
accordance with the OIE Code , and were  not resident in a herd where CCPP had been officially 
reported  during that time ; and   
i) Aliquots of semen or samples of embryos/oocytes  or collection /washing fluids from each 
collection must  be subjected to a CCBP test listed in MPI -STD-TVTL , with negative 
results ; or 
                                                        
3 There are currently no OIE Code  sheep  and goat  pox recommendations for ovine/caprine embryo importation; however MPI requires 
the semen measures be applied to embryo imports . 
 Import Health Standard Import Health Standard :  Semen and Embryos from Sheep (Ovis aries)  and Goats (Capra hircus)  
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Ministry for Primary Industries     Page 14 of 17 Formatted:  Font: 9 pt, English  (U.K.)
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Formatted:  Font: 9 ptii) Donors must be subjected to CCPP complement fixation test , with negative results,  in 
accordance with the OIE Manual , on two occasions, w ith an interval of 21 to 30 days 
between tests and the second test being within the 14 days prior to pre -entry isolation; 
and  
i. Donors must be isolated from other domestic goats from the first test until the last 
date of collection.     
3.13 Mycoplasma agalactia e (contagious agalactia)  
(1) Donors must be  resident in a country recognised by the Competent Authority  as free from contagious 
agalactia  for at least the 6 months prior to collection ; or 
(2) Donors  must be:  
a) resident for at least the 6 months prior to collection only at a premise s where no case of 
contagious agalactia is  officially reported  during that time ; and 
b) tested for Mycoplasma agalactiae  using a test listed in MPI -STD-TVTL , with negative results . 
3.14 Mycobacterium caprae and Mycobacterium bovis 
(1) For goats only:  
a) Donors must be  resident in a country recognised by the Competent Authority  as free from 
tuberculosis in goats  for at least the 3 years prior to collection ; or 
b) Semen donors must comply with the OIE Code Chapter on collection and processing of small 
ruminant  semen;  or  
c) Embryo d onors must be subjected to a single comparative tu berculin test for tuberculosis prior 
to entry to the collec tion flock/herd , with negative results ; and 
i) All animal s in the embryo collection flock/herd must be tested prior to entry and at least 
annually , with negative results.  
3.15 Chlamydia abortus (enzootic abortion of ewes)  
(1) Donors must be  resident in a country recognised by the Competent Authority  as free from enzootic 
abortion of ewes ( EAE) for at least the 2 years prior to collection;  or 
(2) Semen d onors must comply with the OIE Code  Chapter on enzootic abortion of ewes  for the 
importation of semen of sheep4; or 
(3) Embryo d onors must be : 
a) resident in a herd/flock  that is free from EAE in accordance with the OIE Code  for at least the 
past 2 years ; and  
b) prevented from  contact ing any animal of lower health status during that period of time; and  
either  
i) Donors must be subjected to an EAE  test listed in MPI-STD-TVTL , with negative results ; 
or   
ii) Samples of embryos/oocytes  or collection /washing fluids fro m each embryo collection  
must be subjected to an  EAE test listed in MPI -STD-TVTL , with negative results . 
                                                        
4 There are currently no Chlamydia abortus recommendations for caprine semen in the OIE Code ; however MPI requires the ovine 
semen measures be applied to caprine semen imports.  
 Import Health Standard Import Health Standard :  Semen and Embryos from Sheep (Ovis aries)  and Goats (Capra hircus)  
 Draft  for Consultation 2.0 Draft  for Consultation 2.0  . 
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Formatted:  Font: 9 pt 3.16 Coxiella burnetii  (Q Fever)  
(1) Donors must never have been  confirmed positive  for Q fever ; and either  
a) Donors must  be subjected to a  test for Q fever listed in MPI-STD-TVTL , with negative results ; or 
b) Semen or embryos/oocytes  or collection /washing fluids from each collection  must  be subjected 
to a Q  fever test listed  in MPI-STD-TVTL , with negative results .  
3.17 Scrapie 
(1) For goats  only: 
a) Donors must be resident in a scrapie free country in accordance with the OIE Code ; or 
b) Donors must be  resident in a n establishment that has been maintained free from scrapie from 
commencement until conclusion of collection, in accordance  with the OIE Code  
recommendations for a scrapie free establishment ; or 
c) Embryos must comply with the OIE Code  recommendations for importation of in vivo  derived 
goat embryos from countries or zones not considered free from scrapie .  
 
(2) For sheep  only: 
a) Semen donors must be res ident in a scrapie free country in accordance with the OIE Code ; or 
b) Semen donors  must be resident in an establishment that has been maintained free from scrapie 
from commencement until conclusion of collection, in accordance with the OIE Code  
recommendatio ns for a scrapie free establishment ; or 
c) Semen donors must have the scrapie resistant genotypes – ARR/ARR, ARR/AHQ, ARR/ARH 
or ARR/ARQ. Laboratory evidence of the genotype is required.  
 
Note: Section 2.8 of this  IHS manages the risk for sheep embryos . 
 Import Health Standard Import Health Standard :  Semen and Embryos from Sheep (Ovis aries)  and Goats (Capra hircus)  
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Appendix 1  – Definitions and Acronyms  
For the purposes of this standard and the attached guidance document, terms used that are defined in the Act 
have the meanings set  out there. The following specific definitions also apply:  
Approved Embryo Collection Team  
An embryo collection team demonstrated by the Veterinary Authority as having met the recommendations as described in the OIE Code .  
Competent Authority  
The Veterinar y or other Governmental Authority of an OIE Member, that has the  responsibility and 
competence for ensuring or supervising the implementation of animal health and welfare measures, international veterinary certification and other standards and recommendat ions in the Code  in the whole 
territory.  
Donor(s)  
Female animal(s) from which embryos are collected, or male animal(s) from which semen was collected.  
Embryo Collection Flock/ Herd  
The flock the embryo donor is resident in at the time of embryo collection.  
Germplasm  
Animal genet ic material.  
Inspection 
A visual examination by an MPI Inspector to detect the presence of biosecurity pests and contamination. An inspection does not require magnifi cation but may require additional lighting if the inspection is carried out at 
night or within a building.  
Official Veterinarian  
A veterinarian authorised by the Competent Authority of the country to perform certain designated official 
tasks associated wit h animal health and/or public health and inspections of commodities and, when 
appropriate, to certify in conformity with the provisions of the OIE Code  Chapter for certification procedures.  
Permit to Import  
A permit issued by the Director General of MPI pu rsuant to section 24 (D)(2) of the Act.  
Vector  
An insect or any living carrier that transports an infectious agent from an infected individual to a susceptible 
individual or its food or immediate surroundings. The organism may or may not pass through a dev elopment 
cycle within the vector.  Import Health Standard Import Health Standard :  Semen and Embryos from Sheep (Ovis aries)  and Goats (Capra hircus)  
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Formatted:  Font: 9 pt Vector -proof  
For the purposes of this IHS vector -proof refers to a PEI facility which is able to provide maximum protection 
from insect vectors. This should be a building, ideally a compartment within a building, which should be vector 
screened and have risk management strategies to protect animals and the facility from any potential vector .  
Veterinary Certificate  
A certificate, issued in conformity with the provisions of the OIE Code  Chapter for certification procedure s, 
describing the animal health and/or public health requirements which are fulfilled by the exported commodities