1/4

* Indicated by the Cantonal Competent Authority. Swiss approved form No. O-2018-...

Schweiz / Suisse / Svizzera / Switzerland

Veterinary certificate for the exportation of in vivo derived bovine embryos 

from FMD-free Switzerland to the United States of America 1)

Part I: Details of dispatched consignment 

I.1. Consignor

Name:

Address:

I.2. Certificate reference number*:

I.3. a. Central competent authority:

Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office FSVO

Schwarzenburgstrasse 155, 3003 Bern, Switzerland

I.4. Consignee

Name:

Address:

I.3. b. Cantonal competent authority:

I.5. Country of origin: Switzerland

ISO Code: CH

I.6. Zone or compartment of origin:

I.7. Country of destination: United States of America

ISO Code: US

I.8. Zone or compartment of destination:

I.9. Place of origin (embryo collection team): 

Name:

Address:

Approval number of establishment(s):

I.10. Place of shipment: I.11. Date of departure:

I.12. Means of transport:

Airplane □

Ship □

Railway wagon □

Road vehicle □

Other □

Identification:

I.13. Port of entry into the United States:

I.14. Description of commodity:

I.15. Commodity code (HS code):

I.16. Temperature of the product: I.17. Total quantity:

Ambient □ Chilled □ Frozen □

I.18. Type of packaging: I.19. Total number of packages:

I.20. Identification of container/seal number:

I.21. Identification of commodities 2):

ID# on straws: ID# of dam / ID# of sire: Breed of dam / Breed of sire: Date of embryo collection: Number of straws:

1) A separate certificate must be issued for each consignment of embryos. The original of this certificate must accompany the shipment.

2) If necessary, extra tables can be attached as annex by the consignor and should be approved and stamped by the Cantonal Competent Authority. 
2/4

* Indicated by the Cantonal Competent Authority. Swiss approved form No. O-2018-...

Switzerland Bovine embryos (in vivo derived)

II. Zoosanitary information I.2. Certificate reference number*:

Part II: Zoosanitary information

Section A (to be signed by the Team Veterinarian)

I, the undersigned Team Veterinarian of the described embryo collection team, hereinafter “ECT,” certify, either by direct examination or based 

on supporting documentation in my possession that has been separately attested to by an official veterinarian, that:

1. During the 12 months prior to the collection of embryos for export to the United States, there was no clinical or pathological evidence of 

brucellosis or tuberculosis (TB) found in the donor dams or on any premises on which the donor dams were located during that time.

2. During the 60 days prior to the collection of embryos for export to the United States, the donor dams were not corralled, pastured, or held 

with animals of lesser health status or under any restrictions which would make them ineligible as embryo donors for export to the United 

States.

3. During the 60 days prior to the collection of embryos for export to the United States, the donor dams were inspected at least once and 

appeared healthy and were found clinically free of contagious or communicable diseases.

4. Each of the donors were examined on the day of embryo collection and appeared healthy and were clinically free of contagious or 

communicable diseases.

5. The donor dams originated from herds officially free of tuberculosis.

6. The embryos were 3):

oeither collected prior to June 1, 2011;

oor collected after June 1, 2011 from donors that were negative to two serum neutralization tests for Schmallenberg virus 

(using a 1:8 cutoff titer), with the first performed within 30 days prior to collection, and the second between 28 and 60 

days after collection. Tests were performed in a laboratory approved by the national Competent Authority.

7. Bovine semen used to fertilize the embryos for export to the United States 3):

oeither was collected in an approved semen collection center (SCC), in accordance with legislation in force, notably Council 

Directive 88/407/EEC, as amended. At the time of collection of the semen, Switzerland in which the semen was 

collected was considered by the USDA to be free of foot-and-mouth disease and rinderpest, as listed in Title 9 Code of 

Federal Regulations, Part 94 and other official publications. In addition, the semen was 3):

o either collected prior to June 1, 2011;

o or collected after June 1, 2011 from donors that were negative to two serum neutralization tests for 

Schmallenberg virus (using a cutoff titer of 1:8), with the first performed within 30 days prior to collection, 

and the second between 28 and 60 days after collection. Tests were performed in a laboratory approved 

by the national Competent Authority.

oor was legally imported from the United States or Canada from U.S. origin and / or Canadian origin donors. Copies of the 

export health certificate for this semen must accompany the shipment of embryos to the United States.

8. The embryos were collected using a closed collection system, and any instrument coming in contact with reproductive tract tissue or fluids 

was either new or equipment sterilized before use.

9. The embryos were washed at least 10 times and treated with trypsin in accordance with the latest edition of the Manual of the International 

Embryo Transfer Society. After the last wash, each embryo was examined microscopically over its entire surface at not less than 50x 

magnification. The zona pellucida of each embryo was found to be intact and free from any adherent material subsequent to washing.

10. Embryos from different donors were not washed together.

11. The storage and shipping containers were clean, recently disinfected, and empty prior to use for this project and only fresh liquid nitrogen 

has been used.

o (Select only if applicable) If embryos were fertilized with sexed semen:

- The semen sexing facility used to sex the semen is located in Switzerland, where the semen was collected. Bovine semen imported 

from the United States or Canada may be used; copies of the export health certificate for this semen must accompany the shipment. 

The semen collection center is under the supervision of an approved Center Veterinarian, and is regularly inspected and approved 

in accordance with Council Directive 88/407/EEC. The sexing facility followed the United States Department of Agriculture 

approved “Cleaning and Disinfection Standard Operating Protocol” while processing this semen for export to the United States.

- The integrity of the semen shipment was maintained through the semen sexing process and no semen from other donors was 

mixed with semen during processing.

Section B (to be signed by the Official Veterinarian after the Team Veterinarian has signed)

I, the undersigned Official Veterinarian of Switzerland certify that:

1. Switzerland in which the embryos were collected is considered by the USDA to be free from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and rinderpest

as listed in Title 9 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 94 and other official publications, and was free of these diseases at the time of 

embryo collection;

2. Switzerland, in which the embryos were collected, is free from contagious bovine pleuropneumonia;

3. The donor dams were part of the national herd of Switzerland in which the embryos were collected for a minimum of 60 days prior to 

collection and were free from any movement or quarantine restrictions;
3/4

* Indicated by the Cantonal Competent Authority. Swiss approved form No. O-2018-...

Switzerland Bovine embryos (in vivo derived)

II. Zoosanitary information I.2. Certificate reference number*:

4. The embryos were collected from live cattle of documented health history and processed in accordance with the standards of the 

International Embryo Transfer Society (IETS) by an embryo collection team approved by the competent authority of Switzerland in 

accordance with EU legislation in force, notably Council Directive 89/556/EEC, as amended.

5. All diagnostic testing of the donor dams and sires were conducted in laboratories approved by the National Veterinary Services to conduct 

such tests for export.

6. All media additives of animal origin were sourced from countries considered by the USDA to be free from FMD and rinderpest. Trypsin 

of porcine origin was sourced from countries considered by USDA to be free from FMD, rinderpest, classical swine fever and African 

swine fever as listed in 9 CFR Part 94 and other official publications. (www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ncie/countries);

7. The embryos were maintained under lock and key or in the custody of the embryo collection team veterinarian until being sealed for direct 

transport to the United States;

8. The Team Veterinarian that completed Section A of this certificate is authorized by the National Veterinary Service to perform this service.

3) Select as appropriate.
4/4

* Indicated by the Cantonal Competent Authority. Swiss approved form No. O-2018-...

Switzerland Bovine embryos (in vivo derived)

III. Signature I.2. Certificate reference number*:

Part III: Signature

Section A

Team Veterinarian

Name and address (in capital letters):

Place and date:

Signature and stamp of Team Veterinarian:

Section B

Official Veterinarian

Name and address (in capital letters):

Place and date:

Signature and stamp of the Official Veterinarian: