IMPORT HEALTH STANDARD FOR HORSES                       
FROM AUSTRALIA 
 
Issued pursuant to Section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 
Dated: 17 April 2008  
 
 
USER GUIDE 
The information in MAF BNZ animal and animal pr oduct import health sta ndards is presented in 
numerically ordered sections with descriptive titles. Sect ions are grouped into one of five parts, 
designated alphabetically. 
Part A. GENERAL INFORMATION contains sect ions of general interest, including those 
relating to the legal basis for MAF BNZ import hea lth standards and the general responsibilities 
of every importer of animals and animal products. 
Part B. IMPORTATION PROCEDURE contains sect ions that outline the requirements to be met 
prior to and during importation. Whether a permit to  import is required to be obtained prior to 
importation is noted, as are conditions of eligibil ity, transport and general conditions relating to 
documentation accompanying the consignment. 
Part C. CLEARANCE PROCEDURE c ontains sections describing th e requirements to be met at 
the New Zealand border and, if necessary, in a tran sitional facility in New Zealand prior to any 
consignment being given biosecurity clearance. 
Part D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION contains model health certification that must be 
completed by the appropriate personnel as indica ted in the certification and must accompany the 
consignment to New Zealand.  
Part E. APPENDIX 1 contains the Veterinary Declaration. 
APPENDIX 2 contains a MAF BNZ Standard for the Pre-Export Isolation (PEI) of 
Horses 
 
PART A. GENERAL INFORMATION  
1 IMPORT HEALTH STANDARD 
1.1 Pursuant to section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, this document is the Import Health 
Standard for horses from Australia. 
1.2 Obtaining biosecurity clearance for each consignment of horses imported into New 
Zealand from Australia is dependent upon the consignment meeting the requirements of this Import Health Standard. 
Import Health Standard fo r horses from Australia 
HORANIIC.AUS     17 April 2008  1 of 18 1.3 This Import Health Standard may be review ed, amended or revoked if there are changes 
in New Zealand's import policy or the animal h ealth status of the originating country, or 
for any other lawful reason, at the discreti on of the Import Standards Group Manager. 
 
2 IMPORTER'S RESPONSIBILITIES 
2.1 The costs of MAF BNZ in performing functi ons relating to the importation of horses 
shall be recovered in accordance with the Biosecurity Act and any regulations made 
under that Act. 
2.2 All costs involved with documentation, transp ort, and obtaining a biosecurity clearance 
shall be borne by the importer or importer’s agent. 
 
3 DEFINITION OF TERMS 
Biosecurity clearance 
A clearance under section 26 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 for the entry of goods into New 
Zealand. 
 
Import Standards Group Manager 
The Import Standards Group Manager, Ministry of  Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity New 
Zealand, or any person who for the time being may lawfully exercise and perform the power and 
functions of the Import Standards Group Manager. 
 
 
MAFBNZ  
The New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity New Zealand 
 
New Zealand Inspector 
A person who is appointed an inspector under section 103 of the Biosecurity Act 1993. 
 
Official Veterinarian 
A veterinarian authorised by the Veterinary Administration of the count ry to perform certain 
designated official tasks associated with animal health and/or public health and inspections of 
commodities and, when appropriate,  to certify in c onformity with the provisions of the Section 
1.2 of the Terrestrial Code  pertaining to principles of certification. 
 
Terrestrial Manual 
The World Organisation for Animal Health Terrestrial Manual  
 
Terrestrial Code 
The World Organisation for Animal Health Terrestrial Animal Health Code 
  
Import Health Standard fo r horses from Australia 
HORANIIC.AUS     17 April 2008  2 of 18 4 EQUIVALENCE 
This Import Health Standard is in accordance with agreements between the exporting 
country and New Zealand. Biosecurity clea rance will not normally be given to a 
consignment that does not meet the requirements of this Import Health Standard in every 
respect. 
Occasionally it is found that, due  to circumstances beyond the control of the importer or 
exporter, a consignment does not comply with the requirements of this Import Health 
Standard. In such cases, an application fo r equivalence submitted  prior to importation 
will be considered and may be given at the discretion of the Import Standards Group 
Manager if the following information is provided by the exporting country’s government veterinary authority: 
4.1 the clause(s) of the Import Health Standard that cannot be met and how this has occurred 
4.2 the reason(s) why the consignment may be cons idered of equivalent health status to a 
consignment complying with this Import Health  Standard, and/or what proposal is made 
to achieve an equivalent health status 
4.3 the reason(s) why the veterinary authority believes this proposal s hould be acceptable to 
MAF BNZ and their recommendation for its acceptance. 
 
 
PART B. IMPORTATION PROCEDURE 
5 PERMIT TO IMPORT 
5.1 A permit to import is required for each consignment of horses imported into New 
Zealand from Australia. Application for a permit to import shall be made at least 21 days prior to the proposed date of importa tion in writing to Animal Imports Team, MAF 
BNZ Biosecurity New Zealand, Ministry of  Agriculture and Forestry, PO Box 2526, 
Wellington, New Zealand. Email: animalimports@maf.govt.nz 
 
5.2 An application for a permit to import shall provide the following information: 
(i) name and address of importer 
(ii) name and address of exporter 
(iii) description and number of the horses to be imported 
(iv) date of the proposed importation 
(v) name and address of the TRANSITIONAL FACILITY to which the consignment 
is to proceed following importation 
(vi) a letter from the authorised supervisor of  the transitional facility stating that the 
facility is registered and is available for the dates pr oposed and has the capacity to 
accommodate the consignment proposed to be imported 
Import Health Standard fo r horses from Australia 
HORANIIC.AUS     17 April 2008  3 of 18 (vii) the transport method and route used to import into New Zealand, which will be in 
accordance with all requirements fo r TRANSPORT TO NEW ZEALAND noted 
in this import health standa rd, and evidence of transit authority from countries on 
the transport route, and 
(viii) the transport method and route during tran sfer from the port of arrival in New 
Zealand to the transitional facility. 
 
5.3 A permit to import will be granted for a single consignment only.  In this case a single 
consignment is any group of horses that are undertaking PEI in the same facility. 
 
 
6 ELIGIBILITY 
 
6.1 If any horse in the consignment tests pos itive to any serological tests the Import 
Standards Group Manager must be notified.  Ap proval must be obtained from the Import 
Standards Group Manager for the importation to proceed. 
 
6.2 The horses must be held for at least 21 days  immediately prior to export to New Zealand 
in Pre-Export Isolation (PEI) premises. The PEI premises must be approved and 
supervised by an official veterinarian and meet the specifications and management 
procedures detailed in the New Zealand MA FBNZ Standard for the pre-export isolation 
(PEI) of horses, dated April 2008. This Standard  is in PART E, Appendix 2 of this Import 
Health Standard. 
 
6.3 All equipment entering New Zealand with th e horses must comply with the Import 
Health Standard for the Importation into Ne w Zealand of equipment associated with 
animals or water (refer to http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/c ommercial-imports/imports-
health-standards/search ). All equipment that accompanies the horses must enter post 
arrival quarantine with the hor ses for the quarantine period. 
 
6.4       Eligibility for importation under this import health st andard is confined to species 
members of the domesticated horse ( Equus caballus ) or donkey ( Equus asinus ) 
 
 
 
7 DOCUMENTATION ACCOMPANYING THE CONSIGNMENT 
7.1 The consignment shall be accompanied by appropriately completed health certification 
that meets the requirements of PART D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION.  The 
laboratory results for the tests specified in th e Zoosanitary Certificate must be attached. 
7.2 The official veterinarian of the exporting country must sign, date and stamp each page of 
the veterinary certificate and any documents that form part of the extended health 
certificate using a different colour ink to the paper and print.                                                     
Import Health Standard fo r horses from Australia 
HORANIIC.AUS     17 April 2008  4 of 18 7.3 It is the importer’s responsibility to ensure that any documentation presented in 
accordance with the requirements of this Im port Health Standard is original (unless 
otherwise specified) and clearly legible. Failur e to do so may result in  delays in obtaining 
biosecurity clearance or reje ction of the consignment. 
 
8 TRANSPORT TO NEW ZEALAND 
8.1 No animals other than those destined for New Zealand and officially certified as meeting 
a New Zealand import health standard (or other animals determined to be of an equivalent 
health status by MAF BNZ) are permitted to  be carried on the aircraft or ship. 
8.2 Date, expected time of arrival and the flight number or ship’s name must be notified to 
the New Zealand official vete rinarian at the airport/port of entry at least 72 hours in 
advance of importation. 
8.3 Containers made of timber must meet the requirements of New Zealand’s wood packaging Import Health Standard (refer to 
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/commercial-
imports/imports-health-standards/search ). 
 
PART C. CLEARA NCE PROCEDURE 
9 BIOSECURITY DIRECTION 
9.1 Upon arrival in New Zealand, the documentation accompanying the consignment shall be 
inspected by an Inspector at  the port of arrival. The In spector may also inspect the 
consignment, or a sample of the consignment. 
 
9.2 A biosecurity direction may be given by an Inspector under section 25 of the Biosecurity 
Act 1993 authorising the consignment to move to the transitional facility named in the permit to import, providing that the docu mentation meets all requirements noted under 
PART D. ZOOSANITARY  CERTIFICATION and the consignment meets the conditions 
of ELIGIBILITY. 
 
10 TRANSITIONAL FACILITY 
10.1 Following biosecurity direction being gi ven, the consignment shall proceed to a 
transitional facility registered according to MAFBNZ Standard for Low Security Farm 
Animal Transitional Facilities, 154.02.13 . 
 
10.2 The consignment shall remain in the transitiona l facility for no less than 14 days, or for a 
longer period if required by the Imports Standards Group Manager. 
 
10.3 While in the transitional facility, the cons ignment will be subjected to such testing, 
Import Health Standard fo r horses from Australia 
HORANIIC.AUS     17 April 2008  5 of 18 treatments or procedures required by the Imports Standards Group Manager, including: 
 
10.3.1  after at least 5 days, individual PCR testing for Equine Influenza from a 
nasopharyngeal swab with negative results  
 
11 BIOSECURITY CLEARANCE 
11.1 On successful completion of the terms detailed under TRANSITIONAL FACILITY the 
consignment may, subject to sections 27 and 28 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, be given a 
biosecurity clearance pursuant to section 26 of the Biosecurity Act 1993. 
 
 
PART D. ZOOSANIT ARY CERTIFICATION 
12 NEGOTIATED EXPORT CERTIFICATION 
12.1 The following Model Zoosanitary Certificat e contains the inform ation required by MAF 
BNZ to accompany imports of horses in to New Zealand from Australia: 
Import Health Standard fo r horses from Australia 
HORANIIC.AUS     17 April 2008  6 of 18 MODEL ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION 
Commodity:  HORSES 
To:  NEW ZEALAND 
Exporting Country: AUSTRALIA 
 
Competent Authority: .................................................  
 
 
I: IDENTIFICATION OF HORSES 
Species/breed: ............................................................ 
Age: ............................  
Sex: .............................    
Identification records are attached to the Zoosanitary Certification. (Identification is by either: (i) 
brand or microchip number/site; or (ii) an official passport; or (iii) an id entification silhouette 
that notes all disti nguishing markings.) 
Total number of horses in consignment:  ................... 
 
II: ORIGIN OF HORSES 
Name and address of owner:..................................................................................................... ...   
Name and address of exporter: .................................................................................................. ..   
Place of origin of the horses: ................................................................................................. ......   
Airport/port of embarkation:................................................................................................... .....  
 
III: DESTINATION OF HORSES 
Name and address of importer:.................................................................................................. ..   
Means of transport: ............................................................................................................ ..........  
Airport/port of arrival: ....................................................................................................... ..........  
Import Health Standard fo r horses from Australia 
HORANIIC.AUS     17 April 2008  7 of 18 IV: SANITARY INFORMATION 
VETERINARY CERTIFICATE  
I,  ...........................................................................an Official Veterinarian  authorised by the 
Government of Australia certify, after due enquiry, with respect to the horses identified in this 
Zoosanitary Certificate that: 
  
1. COUNTRY/REGION DISEASE FREEDOM AND RESIDENCY 
1.1. Japanese encephalitis virus (JEv):  
 The horses were: 
Either: 1.1.1 resident for at least the prev ious 21 days in a region of Australia 
where JEv has never been reported. 
Or: 1.1.2 imported into Australia from a c ountry that is free of JEv and since 
importation have been resident in a part of Australia where JEv has 
never been reported. 
Or: 1.1.3 imported into Australia from a country where JEv is endemic and 
were vaccinated against JEv with an inactivated vaccine prior to 
importation into Australia. 
 (Delete as appropriate) 
2. HORSES FOR EXPORT 
2.1. No mare in the consignment is more than 300 days pregnant. 
2.2. No horse in the consignment is less than 1 month of age. 
2.3. The horses were free from all quarantine rest rictions prior to entry in pre-export 
isolation.  
 
3. ESTABLISHMENT OF ORIGIN  
3.1. The horses were resident since birth, or for the period specif ied in brackets, immediately 
prior to export on premises where there was no evidence of any of the following diseases 
during period of time specified: 
• equine infectious anaemia (3 months) 
• equine viral abortion (EHV-1, including neurological disease) (3 months)  
• equine viral arteritis (3 months) 
• Hendra virus in horses (3 months) 
• anthrax (20 days) 
Import Health Standard fo r horses from Australia 
HORANIIC.AUS     17 April 2008  8 of 18 • equine influenza (3 months) 
• melioidosis (3 months). 
 
4 PRE-EXPORT ISOLATION (PEI) 
 
4.1 The horses were kept for a minimum 21 day period prior to export in a pre-export 
isolation facility approved for the pur pose and under the supervision of an Official 
Veterinarian . 
 
4.2 During pre-export isolation they remained isol ated from all other livestock not of an 
equivalent isolation and tested health status, and free from clin ical signs of infectious or 
contagious disease. All horses of the same consignment have been isolated in the same 
premises. 
 
Date of entry into isolation: 
Date of export: 
Premises of isolation: 
 
4.3      HORSES EXPORTED FROM CATTLE TICK INFECTED AREAS  
(Delete if not applicable) 
 
4.3.1  Horses are stabled for at least the la st 3 days of pre-export isolation ; and 
4.3.2  Prior to the last 3 days of isolation, both the horses and the stabled environment 
were sprayed with a registered acaricide, and no livestock held within 100 metres 
of the premise; and 
4.3.3  During the last 3 days food and bedding was free from evidence of ticks;and 
4.3.4  During the last 3 days of isolation th e horses were thoroughly inspected for ticks 
and found to be free of evidence of ticks.  (Horses were retr eated until free of 
evidence of ticks). 
 
 
5 TESTING/TREATMENTS  
5.1 All laboratory testing wa s conducted at a laboratory accredited by the National 
Association of Testing Authori ties, Australia.  Export testi ng and laboratory result sheets 
or certified copies are attached. 
 
 
 
Import Health Standard fo r horses from Australia 
HORANIIC.AUS     17 April 2008  9 of 18  
 
 
5.2       Equine Influenza (EI) 
 
5.2.1 Between 42 and 120 days prior to export the hor ses (except for foals less than 2 months 
old and accompanied by their vaccinated dam) were vaccinated against equine influenza 
using ; 
 
 5.2.1.2 a registered inactivated vaccine, eith er twice as a primary course following 
manufacture’s guidelines (usually not le ss than 21 days apart), or once as a 
booster to a previous primary course of vaccination 
or 
5.2.1.2    a registered recombinant live vectored  vaccine, either twice as a primary course 
following manufacturer’s guidelines (usually not less than 28 days apart 
however 2 weeks apart for Proteq Flu is  accepted), or once as a booster to a 
previous primary course of vaccination 
 
Date/s of vaccination/s: 
 
(N.B. Registered vaccines must comply with the recommendations in the OIE Terrestrial 
Manual )  
 
 
5.2.2    During PEI two nasopharyngeal swabs were collected at least 5 da ys apart, and tested 
negative for Influenza using PCR. 
 
 
 
5.3 Equine infectious anaemia* (EIA):  
 
 The horses were tested with negative results for EIA virus using an agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test or an ELISA during the 21 days prior to export. 
 
Test used:.......................................................................................................................  
Date of sampling: ..........................................................................................................  
   
 (*Does not apply to unweaned foals less than 6 m onths of age and accompanied by their negative 
tested dam.) 
5.4 Equine viral arteritis (EVA) : 
 
 Entire male horses older than 12 m onths of age (actual age) were:  
 
Either  5.4.1.1 tested for EVA virus with ne gative results using a virus neutralisation 
(VN) test during the 28 days prior to export  
 
Import Health Standard fo r horses from Australia 
HORANIIC.AUS     17 April 2008  10 of 18  Date of sampling: .....................................................................................   
 
 
Or 5.4.1.2 in the case of a stallion that is seropositive  for EVA virus.  Since 
seroconversion and during the 12 month period prior to export the stallion 
has been tested with negative results by virus isolation on the sperm rich 
fraction of two separate semen samples     
Date(s) stallion was blood sa mpled and seropositive...............................   
 
Date(s) of semen sampling: .....................................................................  
 
Or    5.4.1.3 in the case of a stallion that is seropositive  for EVA virus. Since 
seroconversion and during the 12 month period prior to export the stallion has been test mated to two mares wh ich were subjected to the VN test on 
two blood samples, one collected at the time of test mating and the other 
28 days after mating, with negative results. 
 
Date(s) stallion was blood sa mpled and seropositive...............................   
 
Dates mares were blood sampled: ............................................................  
 
Or   5.4.1.4 vaccinated* against EVA virus under official veterinary control and have 
been re-vaccinated at least annually. 
  
Date(s) of vaccination: .............................................................................   
              
 
(*Approved programmes for initial vaccination are as follows: 
 
a) Vaccinated on the day a blood sample was taken which was subjected to the 
VN test with a negative result.  
b) Vaccinated during a period of isolation of not more than 15 days, commencing 
on the day a blood sample was taken which was subjected to the VN test with 
a negative result.  
c) Vaccinated when the stallion was at an age of 180 to 270 days during a period 
of isolation, during which two blood samples taken at least 10 days apart were 
subjected to the VN test and demonstrated a negative, stable or declining antibody titre.) 
 
         (Delete as appropriate) 
 
5.4.2 For an EVA seropositive stallion a Vete rinary Declaration is attached (see 
Appendix 1) that has been signed by a ve terinarian indicating that there is no 
evidence of the stallion ever shedding virus in semen or being treated with 
gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist.  
         (Delete if not appropriate) 
Import Health Standard fo r horses from Australia 
HORANIIC.AUS     17 April 2008  11 of 18 6  PARASITE TREATMENTS 
 
6.1 Within 48 hours prior to the scheduled date of  export the horses were  treated as follows: 
  
 6.1.1 for ectoparasites: 
  product(s) with efficacy against flies, ticks, lice and mites was applied according 
to the manufacturer’s recommendations: 
 
Ectoparasiticide(s) used: ......................................................................................  
Dose rate: .............................................................................................................  
Date of treatment:.................................................................................................  
6.1.2 for endoparasites: 
 a macrocyclic lactone compound according to the manufacturer’s 
recommendations: 
 
Endoparasiticide used:..........................................................................................  
Dose rate: .............................................................................................................  
Date of treatment:.................................................................................................   
 
7 VETERINARY INSPECTIONS     
7.1 Within 48 hours prior to the scheduled da te of export and after the treatments 
administered in section 6.1, the horses were thoroughly examined by a registered veterinarian and were found to be free of evidence of ticks. A systematic approach was 
undertaken with close examin ation of ears, false nostrils, under body areas (axillary, 
inguinal, submandibular), perineum, mane and tail. 
  
 Either: 7.1.1 No ticks were found. 
 
 Or: 7.1.2 Ticks were found, but subse quent re-inspection after another 
treatment determined that there was no evidence of tick infection. 
 
         (Delete as appropriate) 
 
7.2 Within 48 hours prior to the scheduled date of export the horses were examined by an 
registered veterinarian and were found to be fr ee of clinical signs of infectious disease 
and were fit to travel. 
 
 
 
Import Health Standard fo r horses from Australia 
HORANIIC.AUS     17 April 2008  12 of 18 7.3 Within 48 hours prior to the scheduled date of export the horses were examined by an 
registered veterinarian and were found to fr ee of evidence of contamination with seed/s 
and faecal matter  
 Either                7.3.1  No seeds or faecal matter were found 
Or                     7.3.2  Seeds or faecal matter was found, but subsequent re-
inspection after bathing /grooming determined that there was 
not evidence of contamination wi th seeds or faecal matter.  
 
8  TRANSPORT  
 
8.1 The vehicle for transport of the horses to  the port of departure was cleaned and 
disinfected with a virucida l disinfectant prior to th e loading of the horses. 
8.2 During transport from pre-isolation premise to  the port of departure the horses were kept 
isolated from horses that were not of  equivalent tested health status. 
8.3 The crates or pens to be used for transporting the horses to New Zealand are either new 
or, if previously used, have been cleaned a nd disinfected with a virucidal disinfectant.  
8.4 All feed loaded for use during transport to the port of departure and to New Zealand was 
visibly free from evidence of contamination with ticks. 
8.5 Only sterile peat, soft board treated wood shaving, shredded paper or other inert approved 
products was loaded for use as bedding during transportation.  
8.6 No other animals are being transported on the aircraft or ship excep t those certified by an 
official veterinarian as eligib le for export to New Zealand.  
8.7 In the case of transport by: 
 Air: the container/s meet the design principles published in th e IATA Live Animal 
Regulations 
 Sea: the transport f acilities and arrangements were  inspected and they meet the 
requirements of the Australian Marine Orders  Part 43, Issue 2 (which is equivalent to 
the New Zealand Marine Rules Part 24C). 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Import Health Standard fo r horses from Australia 
HORANIIC.AUS     17 April 2008  13 of 18 8.8      For horses being transported by air, the cargo space of the aircraft in which the horses are 
to be transported was sprayed with an regi stered insecticidal spray, or a current  
'Certificate of Residual Disins ection' has been verified. 
 
Official stamp: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
................................................................................................................................................................................... 
Signature of Official Veterinarian    
 
................................................................................................................................................................................... 
Name of Official Veterinarian    
 
Date: ........................................................ 
 
Name and address of office: ................................................................................................... .....
....................................................................................................................................................... 
 
 
NB Official stamp must be applied to all pages 
Import Health Standard fo r horses from Australia 
HORANIIC.AUS     17 April 2008  14 of 18 PART E. APPENDIX 1 
 
VETERINARY DECLARATION 
 
 
 
I, .......................................................................................... , the veterinarian who holds the  
records for the equine viral arteritis virus seropositive stallion identified in the attached 
Zoosanitary Certificate, certify after due enquiry of the owner of  the stallion and examination of 
relevant records relating to the horse's breeding life that: 
 
• there is no evidence to indicate th at the stallion has shed equine  viral arteritis virus in his 
semen at any time  
 
AND 
  
• there is no evidence to indicat e that the stallion has ever been treated with gonadotropin-
releasing hormone antagonist. 
 
 
 
............................................................................................................................................  
Signature of Veterinarian:  Date 
 
............................................................................................................................................  
............................................................................................................................................  
Name and address 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Import Health Standard fo r horses from Australia 
HORANIIC.AUS     17 April 2008  15 of 18 PART E. APPENDIX 2 
NEW ZEALAND MAF BNZ STAND ARD FOR THE PRE-EXPORT 
ISOLATION (PEI) OF HORSES  
DATED: APRIL 2008 
1. Approval 
 
1.1. The premises and facility must be approved by an Official Veterinarian of the Veterinary 
Administration of the exporting country as meeting the requir ements of this Standard. 
1.2. The premises and facility must be audited annually by an Official Veterinarian and 
records of inspections and management must be retained for audit purposes for at least 2 
years. 
1.3. MAFBNZ need to approve a Standard Oper ating Procedures document supplied by the 
operator of the facility before the facility will be approved 
 
2. Location 
2.1. The premises must be within 240 km of  the port of embarkation and must be 
conveniently located for supervisi on by an Official Veterinarian. 
 
3. Premises 
3.1. The premises must be surrounded by two stock- proof perimeter fences at least 2 metres 
apart, except where the wall of a build ing forms part of the perimeter.  
3.2. The premises must be lockable to ensure that  there is no contact w ith other livestock and 
no entry of unauthorised personnel.  
3.3. The premises must have: 
3.3.1. an area for the cleaning and disinfection of  vehicles separated from the stables, 
holding pens and the loading area  
3.3.2. an area for the safe unloading and loading of horses. 
 
4. Facility 
4.1. The facility must be located at least 100 metres from any other horses not been 
quarantined for export to New Zealand.  
4.2. Stables must be constructed so that they can be readily cleaned and disinfected. 
4.3. Stables, yards, fences, and feeding and wate ring arrangements must be constructed so 
that the horses are protected from injury, and other welfare needs are met. 
4.4. The facility must have an ad equate drainage system and hygienic management of waste. 
4.5. The stable must have facilities for veterinary examination and the collection of samples. 
4.6. External yards may be used for exercise and should be constructed of stock-proof 
materials with a solid or sand covered base. 
Import Health Standard fo r horses from Australia 
HORANIIC.AUS     17 April 2008  16 of 18  
5. Management 
5.1. The veterinary clinician employed by the premis es must have no financial interest in the 
horses undergoing isolation. 
5.2. The PEI facility must have a designated manager who takes responsibility for the day to 
day running of the facility, and who must re port any problems promptly to the official 
veterinarian. 
5.3. Access to the PEI facility should be limited to staff essential to the running of the 
quarantine facility and animal  health.  Other personnel (for example farriers) may be 
granted access provided approval is  given by the official veterinarian.  The necessity for 
access must be justified as requi red for the health and welfare of the horse. A register of 
visitors must be maintained.   
5.4. All staff working at the facility, or necessary visitors, must shower in and have a thorough knowledge of the isolation requirements and the sanitation procedures 
(It is assumed that any persons, grooms or vets travelling with the horses will have assisted in the truck loading process and therefore have show ered-in prior to contact with 
consignment). 
      5.5. No vaccines are to be  given during pre-export isolation.  
 
 
6. Supervision 
6.1. The official veterina rian must ensure that the horse s for export meet New Zealand’s 
relevant import health standard requirements prior to the horses en tering PEI premises.  
6.2. The official veterinarian must visit the facili ty at least weekly duri ng the isolation period 
to ensure that the requirements of the New Z ealand import health standard are being met. 
During the visit, the veterinarian must insp ect the horses, observe the operation, review 
the records and record the vi sit and activities undertaken.  
6.3. The veterinary clinician must record in a regi ster the visit and activities undertaken while 
on the PEI facility and amend the hea lth records of each horse treated.  
6.4. Any health problems affecting the horses that occur during the isolation period or 
breaches in isolation must be reported to the official veterinarian overseeing the shipment, and to the Imports Standards Group Manager, MAFBNZ  
 
7. Operation 
7.1. The facility must have been emptied and thoroughly cleaned and disi nfected prior to the 
commencement of each PEI.  
7.2. The PEI period will start from th e time of entry into the facil ity of the last horse in the 
consignment. 
7.3. During the PEI, the facility must be occupied only by horses of the same export consignment, or of an equivalent health status.  
7.4. All equipment used in the feeding, handling and treatment of the hor ses in PEI must be 
new or cleaned and disinfected prior to the commencement of the PEI.   
7.5. Personnel attending the horses must wear outer  clothing and footwear used exclusively 
in the facility.  
7.6. A detailed health record, including am and pm  temperatures, must be kept for each horse 
on the premises during the PEI period and it must  be available to the supervising official 
veterinarian. 
Import Health Standard fo r horses from Australia 
HORANIIC.AUS     17 April 2008  17 of 18 7.7. Bedding used must be visually clean and free of evidence of contamin ation with ticks eg 
sterilised peat, soft board, shredded paper or other inert material. Straw and hay must not 
be used.  
 
8. Transport 
8.1. Vehicles for transport of horses from the prem ises to the port of embarkation must be 
cleaned and disinfected to the satisfaction of the official ve terinarian prior to loading. 
 
 
 
 
 
Supplementary Notes  
Premises –area surrounding and including the facility.  
Facility – stables and associated yard.   
Disinfectant – should be of a viru cidal and bactericidal nature and should be approved for use by 
the Government Veterinary Authority. 
 
 
Import Health Standard fo r horses from Australia 
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