Animal Products Notice 

Issued under the Animal Products Act 1999 

Bovid Semen to the United 

States of America 

USSEM05 

Effective from 21 March 2024 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health & Exports (acting) 

(acting under delegated authority of the Director-General) 

Animal Products Notice: Bovid Semen to the United States of America (OMAR) 

21 March 2024 

TITLE 

Animal Products Notice: Bovid Semen to the United States of America (OMAR) 

COMMENCEMENT 

This Animal Products Notice comes into force on 21 March 2024 

REVOCATION 

This Animal Products Notice revokes and replaces: 

• BOVSEM.TZ, Bovine Semen to the United States of America, 20 August 2020. 

ISSUING AUTHORITY 

This Animal Products Notice is issued under sections 167(1) and 60(1) of the Animal Products Act 1999. 

Dated at Wellington, 20 March 2024 

Trish Mead 

Manager Animal 

Ministry for Primary Industries 

Contact for further information 

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) 

Agriculture & Investment Services 

Animal Health and Welfare 

PO Box 2526 

Wellington 6140 

Email: animalexports@mpi.govt.nz 

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Animal Products Notice: Bovid Semen to the United States of America (OMAR) 

21 March 2024 

Contents Page 

Introduction 3 

Part 1: Requirements 5 

1.1 Application 5 

1.2 Definitions 5 

1.3 Requirements for export 5 

1.4 Specific requirements for the zoosanitary certificate 6 

1.5 Laboratories 6 

Part 2: Zoosanitary Certificate 7 

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Animal Products Notice: Bovid Semen to the United States of America (OMAR) 

21 March 2024 

Introduction 

This introduction is not part of the Animal Products Notice, but is intended to indicate its general effect. 

Purpose 

The purpose of this document is to set out the zoosanitary requirements necessary to export compliant Bovid 

Semen from New Zealand to the United States of America. 

Background 

The Animal Products Act 1999 provides the controls and mechanisms needed to give and to safeguard official 

assurances or zoosanitary certificates to facilitate the entry of animal material including live animals, hatching 

eggs, semen and embryos, and products into overseas markets. 

Notices issued as Overseas Market Access Requirements (OMARs) under section 60(1)(a) and (b) of the 

Animal Products Act specify the requirements that are necessary or desirable for the purpose of facilitating 

access to overseas markets or are in accordance with the requirements of the relevant authority of the 

importing country. 

OMARs may also determine the form and content of the official assurances that can be issued for animal 

material or product, including live animals, hatching eggs, semen or embryos, which meet the specified 

requirements. 

Where the OMAR determines the form and content of the official assurances, a separate export certificate 

template is available to authorised persons, recognised persons and registered exporters who have applied 

for access to the certificate templates, to facilitate the completion and issuing of the relevant official 

assurance. That template will be an amendable version of the form set in the OMAR. 

Notices issued under section 60(1)(c) of the Animal Products Act to safeguard the assurances provided by 

New Zealand, and guidance in the form of Operational Codes, should be read in conjunction with this Notice. 

This OMAR specifies the requirements that must be met by exporters of Bovid Semen to be exported from 

New Zealand to the United States of America and determines the form and content of the official assurance 

that must accompany the Bovid Semen to be exported. The OMAR was issued after consultation with the 

United of States of America to address their requests for changes to the previous OMAR . 

Who should read this Animal Products Notice? 

Exporters of Bovid Semen to the United States of America. 

Operators of Export Approved Premises collecting Bovid Semen for export to the United States of America. 

Why is this important? 

This Notice is important because it sets out the requirements that need to be met so that the Director-General 

of the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) can certify that the Bovid Semen meet the 

requirements for export to the United States of America which New Zealand, in consultation with the 

government of the United States of America, has determined will apply. It should be noted that although the 

Bovid Semen may comply with these requirements and be given an official assurance (by way of a certificate), 

the importing country ultimately retains control over what Bovid Semen it clears for entry. 

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Animal Products Notice: Bovid Semen to the United States of America (OMAR) 

21 March 2024 

Document History 

Version Date Section Changed Change(s) Description 

21/03/2024 All sections • New OMAR format. 

• Under the Information concerning Animal 

Donor: the table has been updated to include 

the Official ID/NAIT RFID and batch number. 

• Under country freedom: 

− The addition of the Ephemeral fever. 

• Under Donor Animals: 

− Clause 3.3 the inclusion of other 

evidence of bovine tuberculosis. 

Other information 

Export non-conformances 

Exporters should note that, under section 51 of the Animal Products Act 1999, where they have exported 

animal material or products, including live animals, hatching eggs, semen and embryos, that are refused entry 

by the foreign government they have a statutory duty to notify the Director-General of MPI not later than 24 

hours after they have first knowledge of the event. 

Liability 

Section 61A of the Animal Products Act 1999 states that: 

The Crown is not liable, and nor is the Director-General or any employee of the Ministry liable, 

for any loss arising through the refusal or failure of the relevant authority of an overseas 

market to admit export animal material or animal product to that market. 

Related documents 

OMAR documents can be downloaded from https://www.mpi.govt.nz/export-requirements/omars-for-liveanimals-Semen-and-embryos/ 

When you click on the + symbol on the right-hand side of any OMAR document, you can view the related 

information and documents (guidance document and export certificate template). 

The export certificate for this OMAR is provided for in Bovid Semen to the United States of America (Export 

Certificate). The export certificate is password-protected through a RealMe ® account. 

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Animal Products Notice: Bovid Semen to the United States of America (OMAR) 

21 March 2024 

Part 1: Requirements 

1.1 Application 

(1) This Notice applies to the export of bovine semen from New Zealand to the United States of America. 

1.2 Definitions 

(1) In this Notice, unless the context otherwise requires: 

Act means the Animal Products Act 1999 

USDA APHIS means Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service U.S Department of Agriculture. 

(2) A term used in this Notice that is defined in the Act or the following Notices (or their successors) has 

the meaning given to it in the Act or that Notice: 

a) Animal Products Notice: Official Assurances Specifications for Animal Material and Animal 

Products. 

b) Animal Products Notice: Specifications for Laboratories. 

c) Animal Products Notice: Export Approved Premises. 

(3) This Notice applies to the export of Bovid Semen collected in New Zealand from donor animals of the 

following species to the United States of America: 

a) Bovine / cattle (Bos taurus, Bos indicus, Bison bison), 

b) Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), and 

c) Yak (Bos grunniens) 

1.3 Requirements for export 

(1) Resident bulls: 

a) Resident herd bulls temporarily taken out of semen production and held at another location must 

be maintained in a herd of equal health status to the resident herd from which the bull originated, 

and must be re-tested for bovine trichomoniasis and bovine campylobacteriosis when re-joining 

the resident herd. The routine testing regimen (as defined for the resident herd) must be resumed 

prior to the release of semen that was processed after the bull's return to production. Re-testing 

for bovine trichomoniasis and bovine campylobacteriosis is not required for bulls that 

have been transferred directly between MPI Approved semen collection centres under the 

supervision of the MPI Approved Veterinarian. 

b) All bulls or mount animals in the resident herd must be maintained in continuous isolation from all 

animals susceptible to ruminant diseases that have not completed all the test procedures 

outlined herein with negative results. At any time that an individual bull or mount animal from the 

resident tested herd is permitted contact with an untested animal, he must be removed 

immediately from the resident tested herd and not be permitted re-entry until such time as he has 

completed another cycle of isolation and the tests prescribed. 

(2) Mount animals (applicable to all semen collections): 

a) Mount animals used during semen collection must be submitted to the same regimen of periodic 

health tests as bulls in semen production and be maintained continuously in a health testing 

status equivalent to the bulls. 

b) Mount animals may not be interchanged between the resident herd and the isolation testing 

environments. 

c) Areas of contact by the erect penis or of genital secretions upon the hair coat or skin of a mount 

must be effectively and thoroughly disinfected between successively mounting bulls. 

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Animal Products Notice: Bovid Semen to the United States of America (OMAR) 

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d) Mount animals intended to enter an MPI-approved AI Centre shall be healthy and free of 

infectious or contagious diseases and may not originate from a herd under quarantine. 

(3) Bovine semen must be routed directly to the United States from New Zealand with no stops en route 

other than those provided on the USDA APHIS import permit. 

(4) Unless otherwise specified, all assays must be performed according to the current criteria listed in the 

OIE Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals. 

(5) Bovine semen exported from New Zealand to the United States of America must be accompanied by 

an official assurance in the form of a zoosanitary certificate, a sample version of which is included in 

Part 2. 

(6) A zoosanitary certificate must be completed and issued by an authorised person. 

(7) In order to issue a zoosanitary certificate, the authorised person must be satisfied that: 

a) A permit to import the bovine semen has been issued by the competent authority of the United 

States of America. 

b) The proposed shipment otherwise meets the requirements of this Notice. 

1.4 Specific requirements for the zoosanitary certificate 

(1) Bovid Semen exported from New Zealand to the United States of America must be accompanied by an 

official assurance in the form of a zoosanitary certificate, a sample version of which is included in Part 

2. 

(2) A zoosanitary certificate must be completed and issued by an authorised person. 

(3) In order to issue a zoosanitary certificate, the authorised person must be satisfied that: 

a) A permit to import the Bovid Semen has been issued by the competent authority of the United 

States of America. 

b) The proposed shipment otherwise meets the requirements of this Notice. 

(4) With regard to Clause 4.1 and Clause 4.3 for bovine tuberculosis – The intradermal TB test must be 

the Caudal Fold Tuberculin (CFT) test as prescribed in New Zealand's Pest Management Plan for 

Bovine Tuberculosis. There must be at least 60 days between consecutive tests. 

1.5 Laboratories 

(1) Where this Notice requires laboratory testing to be undertaken for official purposes the testing, unless 

otherwise stated must be done in laboratories recognised by MPI for this testing. 

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SAMPLE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Animal Products Notice: Bovid Semen to the United States of America (OMAR) 

Part 2: Zoosanitary Certificate 

21 March 2024 

Certificate No: ................................. 

NEW ZEALAND MINISTRY FOR PRIMARY INDUSTRIES 

ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATE 

Commodity: BOVID SEMEN 

To: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

Exporting Country: NEW ZEALAND 

Competent Authority: MINISTRY FOR PRIMARY INDUSTRIES 

Import Permit No.: ............................................................................................................................... 

I: INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DONOR ANIMAL(S) AND SEMEN 

Name of 

donor & 

Breed 

Age Herd Book / 

Registration 

No. 

Official ID 

/ NAIT 

RFID 

Collection 

date 

Batch 

number / 

Collection 

code 

Straw ID Number of 

straws 

Total number of straws in consignment: .................................................................................................................. 

II: ORIGIN OF THE SEMEN 

Name, address and registration number of 

exporter: 

Name and address of semen collection centre 

(SCC): 

Registration number of semen collection centre: 

III: DESTINATION OF SEMEN 

Name of importer: 

Address of importer: 

Name, address of consignee (if different): 

Port of arrival: 

IV: TRANSPORT 

Means of transport: 

Port of departure: 

Bovine Semen to the United States of America 

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Animal Products Notice: Bovid Semen to the United States of America (OMAR) 

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V: SANITARY INFORMATION 

VETERINARY CERTIFICATE 

I, an Official Veterinarian of the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries, certify, after due enquiry in 

regard to the animal(s) and semen listed in this Zoosanitary Certificate, that: 

1. COUNTRY FREEDOM 

1.1 New Zealand is free of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Surra, Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia, 

Bluetongue, Akabane, Aino, brucellosis (Brucella abortus & B. melitensis), Ephemeral Fever and 

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD). 

1.2 No cases of disease caused by Schmallenberg virus have been detected or reported in New Zealand. 

2. SEMEN COLLECTION CENTRE 

2.1 The semen was collected, processed, and stored in semen collection centre(s) approved by the New 

Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries MPI), under the direct supervision and sanitary control of a 

centre veterinarian(s) approved by the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries. The approval 

number(s) for each centre is listed on the certificate. 

2.2 No clinical evidence of bovine tuberculosis, leptospirosis, bovine genital campylobacteriosis, or 

trichomonosis was reported on the semen collection centre since the most recent herd test and on the 

day of collection of the semen for export. 

3. DONOR ANIMAL(S) 

3.1 The donor animal(s) was/were part of New Zealand's national herd for at least sixty (60) days prior to 

collection of the semen for export, and during this time was/were not under restriction or movement 

control due to notifiable diseases of cattle that would make it/them ineligible as donor(s) of semen for 

export to the United States of America. 

3.2 The donor animal(s) was/were resident for at least twelve (12) months prior to entry into pre-entry 

isolation in a herd that was officially free from bovine tuberculosis. 

3.3 For at least twelve (12) months prior to the collection of semen for export to the United States, there 

was no clinical or other evidence of bovine tuberculosis, leptospirosis, bovine genital 

campylobacteriosis, or trichomoniasis in the donor animal(s), or on any premises on which the donor 

animal(s) was/were resident during the twelve (12) months prior to collection of the semen for export. 

3.4 For at least sixty (60) days prior to collection of the semen for export, the donor animal(s) was/were not 

corralled, pastured, or held with animals of lesser health status which would make them ineligible as 

donor animal(s) of semen for export to the United States. 

3.5 The donor animal(s) was/were inspected during pre-entry isolation and on the day of semen collection 

and was/were found to be free of clinical evidence of infectious and contagious bovine diseases 

transmissible by semen. 

3.6 The donor animal(s) was/were not used for natural service during pre-entry isolation and while resident 

on the semen collection centre. 

3.7 *[The donor animal(s) was/were transferred directly between MPI Export Approved Premises under 

the Supervision of an MPI Approved Veterinarian, and did not come into contact with any animal(s) 

not of an equivalent health status throughout the transfer] 

* Delete if not applicable 

4. DONOR ANIMAL(S) TESTING 

4.1 The donor animal(s) was/were tested for bovine tuberculosis, with negative results to the intradermal 

test with PPD tuberculin, prior to entry onto the semen collection centre, and during this time was kept 

isolated from animal(s) not of an equivalent health status. 

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Animal Products Notice: Bovid Semen to the United States of America (OMAR) 

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Certificate No: .............................. 

4.2 The donor animal(s) was/were isolated under the supervision of the approved Centre Veterinarian, for 

at least twenty-eight (28) days prior to entry onto the semen collection centre, and was/were tested, 

with negative results, to the following diseases: 

4.2.1 Bovine genital campylobacteriosis (Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis) 

either *[4.2.1.1 The donor animal(s) aged six (6) months or older that could have had contact 

with females prior to quarantine, has/have had three (3) tests by PCR or culture 

of preputial specimens, collected at weekly intervals, with negative results. 

or *[4.2.1.2 The donor animal(s) less than six (6) months old or kept since that age only in a 

single sex group prior to quarantine, has/have had one test by PCR or culture of a 

preputial specimen, with negative results. 

* Delete if not applicable 

4.2.2 Trichomonosis (Trichomonas fetus) 

either *[4.2.2.1 The donor animal(s) aged six (6) months or older that could have had contact 

with females prior to quarantine, has/have had three (3) tests by PCR or culture 

of preputial specimens, collected at weekly intervals, with negative results. 

or *[4.2.2.2 The donor animal(s) less than six (6) months old or kept since that age only in a 

single sex group prior to quarantine, has/have had one test by PCR or by culture 

of a preputial specimen, with negative results. 

* Delete if not applicable 

4.3 The donor animal(s) was/were resident on the semen collection centre and was/were tested, with 

negative results, for the following diseases within a 12-month period prior to collection, or post 

collection of the semen for export to the USA: 

4.3.1 Bovine tuberculosis: intradermal test with PPD tuberculin; 

Date of test (read): ....................................................................................................................... 

4.3.2 Bovine genital campylobacteriosis (Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis): one test by PCR 

or culture of a preputial specimen; 

Test type/Date sample taken: ...................................................................................................... 

4.3.3 Trichomonosis (Trichomonas fetus): one test by PCR or culture of a preputial specimen; 

Test type/Date sample taken: ...................................................................................................... 

4.4 Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD): 

4.4.1 The donor animal(s) was/were tested, with negative results, using a virus isolation or 

ELISA(Ag) or PCR, prior to entry onto the semen collection centre. 

4.4.2 For persistent testicular infection; the donor animal(s) was/were resident on the semen 

collection centre and within the twelve (12) months prior to collection of semen for export to 

the United States of America; 

either *[4.4.2.1 was/were tested with a serological antibody test, with negative results. 

Test type(s)/date: ................................................................................................. ] 

or *[4.4.2.2 an aliquot of semen was tested, with negative results, using a virus isolation or 

PCR. 

Test type(s)/date: ................................................................................................. ] 

* Delete if not applicable 

4.5 The testing was undertaken at a laboratory approved by the New Zealand Ministry for Primary 

Industries. 

5. SEMEN COLLECTION, PROCESSING AND STORAGE 

5.1 The semen was collected and processed under the supervision of the Centre Veterinarian in accordance 

with the current criteria of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Code, Chapter 4.6 and 4.7, and placed in 

Bovine Semen to the United States of America 

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Animal Products Notice: Bovid Semen to the United States of America (OMAR) 

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individual straws that are permanently marked with the name of the donor, the donor's registration 

number, and the date of collection. 

5.2 All ruminant products used in semen extenders were sourced from countries considered by USDA as 

free from FMD. 

5.3 Antibiotics were added to neat semen and extender in amounts and combinations approved by APHIS. 

The names and concentrations of antibiotics added are as follows: 

.................................................................................................................................................................... 

.................................................................................................................................................................... 

5.4 After collection and until dispatch, the semen was held in containers with semen that was at least of an 

equivalent tested health status, under the supervision of the Centre Veterinarian. 

6. TRANSPORT 

6.1 The shipping container was only filled with new (virgin) liquid nitrogen, and was: 

either *[6.1.1 new.] 

or *[6.1.2 examined by the team veterinarian, found to be clean and empty of embryos and other 

biological materials, and disinfected prior to its use using: 

Name and active ingredient: ........................................................................................................ 

Date of disinfection: .................................................................................................................. ] 

* Delete if not applicable 

6.2 Prior to shipment, the container with the semen identified above was sealed with an official seal by an 

Official Veterinarian. 

Number of the seal .................................................................................................................................... 

.................................................................................................................................................................................. 

Signature of Official Veterinarian Official Stamp and Date 

Ministry for Primary Industries 

Name and Address 

NB: The Official Veterinarian must sign, date and stamp each page of the veterinary certificate using a 

different colour ink to the paper and the print. 

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