USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY 

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF 

SHEEP AND GOAT SEMEN FROM ICELAND

March 2016, Update May 2020 

1 

This protocol describes the conditions required to import semen from domestic sheep (Ovis spp.) 

and goats (Capra spp.) according to regulations found in 9 CFR Part 98. 

Note: In accordance with this protocol, USDA APHIS reserves the right to inspect the germplasm 

collection, processing and export facilities as needed in order to ensure USDA APHIS imports 

standards are met. 

1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1.1. The importer must obtain an import permit from:

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Veterinary Services (VS)

Strategy & Policy (S&P) 

4700 River Road, Unit 39 

Riverdale, Maryland

20737- 1231 

Telephone: (301) 851-3300, Option 2 

Fax: (301) 734-4704 

Web Site: APHIS Imports

The application, VS Form 17-129, “Application for Import or in Transit 

Permit,” may be obtained by writing or telephoning S&P, or by downloading 

it from the APHIS web site: Animal Health Permits 

1.2. The semen must originate from a semen collection center (SCC) or from premises that 

are under the general supervision of a veterinarian employed by Icelandic Food and 

Veterinary Authority (MAST) for the collection of sheep or goat semen for export to 

the United States.

1.3. An official health certificate is required. The official health certificate must be issued 

by a veterinarian designated by the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) 

and must be endorsed by a veterinarian employed by MAST attesting to the 

certifications and tests required in this protocol. The health certificate must accompany 

the semen to the port of entry designated on the USDA import permit.

2. CERTIFICATION STATEMENTS:

2.1. Iceland is free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), contagious caprine

pleuropneumonia, Rift Valley Fever and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD).

2.2. The donor animals must be part of Iceland's national herd for a minimum period of 
USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY 

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF 

SHEEP AND GOAT SEMEN FROM ICELAND

March 2016, Update May 2020 

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time. Paragraph 2.2.1 and 2.2.2 describe how the United States defines "part of the 

national herd" and for what time frame it must be part of the national herd: 

2.2.1. If the donor animals were imported from countries recognized by the USDA 

to be free of FMD, then these animals must have been free of any import 

restrictions and able to move freely within Iceland's national herd for a 

minimum of 60 days prior to collecting the semen for export to the United 

States.

2.2.2. If the donor animals were imported from a country not recognized by the 

USDA to be free of FMD, then the donor animals must have been free of any 

import restrictions and have been able to move freely within Iceland's national 

herd for a minimum of 90 days prior to collecting the germplasm for export to 

the United States, and are not otherwise subject to any movement restrictions 

or quarantines due to disease.

2.3. Prior to the collection of semen for export to the United States, the donors were 

inspected by the veterinarian issuing the health certificate and found to be clinically 

free of contagious diseases.

2.4. Insofar as can be determined, during the 60 days prior to the collection of semen for 

export to the United States, the donors were not corralled, pastured, or held with other 

animals in which there was any evidence of scrapie, Maedi- visna, enzootic abortion 

of ewes, brucellosis or tuberculosis (TB) which would make them ineligible as donors 

of semen for export to the United States.

2.5. During the 24 months prior to the collection of semen for export to the United States 

there has been no clinical or test evidence of TB or brucellosis found in the donor or 

the donors' herd of origin or in the place where semen is collected.

2.6. The premises where the semen is collected, and the herds of origin of the donor and all 

contact animals are in an area at least 50 kilometers from any known occurrence of 

FMD or rinderpest within the three months prior to and the month following the 

collection of semen for the United States. The herds of origin of the semen donors are 

qualified for exporting semen to the United States regarding Maedi-Visna.

2.7. The following statements concerning scrapie can be certified:

2.7.1. Insofar as can be determined after due inquiry, the semen donor has not been in 

a herd nor had direct contact with other animals that had been a herd where 

scrapie has occurred within 5 years of the date of collection of semen for export 

to the United States.

2.7.2. The semen donor showed no evidence of any condition resembling scrapie at 

the time of semen collection.

2.7.3. Insofar as can be determined after due inquiry, the parents of the semen 
USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY 

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF 

SHEEP AND GOAT SEMEN FROM ICELAND

March 2016, Update May 2020 

3 

donor were not affected with any spongiform encephalopathy disease.

2.7.4. The donor animals are permanently identified, to enable traceback to their 

herd/flock of origin;

2.7.5. The donor animals have been kept since birth in herds/flocks in which no 

case of scrapie had been confirmed during their residency;

2.7.6. The donor animals neither showed clinical signs of scrapie at the time of 

semen collection nor developed scrapie between the time of semen 

collection and the export of semen to the United States;

2.7.7. In Iceland:

2.7.7.1. Scrapie is a compulsorily notifiable disease; and an effective 

surveillance and monitoring system for scrapie is in place.

2.7.7.2. Affected sheep and goats are slaughtered and completely destroyed;

2.7.7.3. The feeding of sheep and goats with meat-and-bone meal or greaves 

derived from ruminants has been banned and the ban has been 

effectively enforced in the whole region since (the date of the 

effective enforcement of a ruminant-to-ruminant feed ban). The 

donors have not been in any other regions prior to the collection of 

semen for export. 

2.8. The following certifications are made with respect to any sheep or goats resident in the

SCC:

2.8.1. The animals are permanently identified to enable traceback to their 

flock/herd of origin. 

2.8.2. The animals have been isolated as a group, without further additions, for a 

period of at least 30 days prior to the first collection of semen for export to the 

United States (hereafter 30-day pre-entry quarantine). During this time, there 

were no clinical signs of communicable diseases.

2.8.3. Immediately prior to the first collection of semen for export to the United 

States, the donors were inspected by the SCC veterinarian and found to be 

clinically free of contagious diseases.

2.8.4. There was no clinical evidence of infection of the animals by bluetongue 

virus during the 60 days prior to and during the period of collection of 

semen for export to the United States. 

2.9. The following certifications are made with respect to bovine tuberculosis and 

brucellosis: 
USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY 

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF 

SHEEP AND GOAT SEMEN FROM ICELAND

March 2016, Update May 2020 

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2.9.1. EITHER1 the animals have been resident in the SCC for less than one year,

and come from a flock/herd of origin that was tested negative for bovine 

tuberculosis and brucellosis on two occasions, at least 60 days apart. The first 

test was within one year prior to entry into the SCC; with the second test 

occurring during the 30-day pre-entry quarantine period before their 

admission into the SCC; and no clinical, microbiological, or serological 

evidence of these diseases was found during the 24 months prior to export of 

the semen to the United States;

2.9.2. OR the animals have been resident in the SCC for more than one year, and 

were tested negative for bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis during annual 

herd tests at the SCC.

2.9.3. OR the animals have been resident in the SCC for at least 120 days. All 

animals in the SCC were tested for tuberculosis and brucellosis on two 

occasions, at least 60 days apart.

2.10. Schmallenberg virus (SBV):

2.10.1. EITHER1 no cases of SBV have been diagnosed in Iceland;

2.10.2. OR the semen for export to the United States was collected prior to June 1, 

2011; 

2.10.3. OR the semen was collected after June 1, 2011 from donors that were negative 

to two serum neutralization tests (using a 1:16 cutoff titer) for Schmallenberg 

virus, with the first performed within 30 days prior to collection, and the 

second between 28 and 60 days after collection. 

2.10.4. Tests were performed in a laboratory approved by the National Competent 

Authority. 

3. TESTS

3.1. Serologic tests should be conducted within 30 days of first collection of semen and

again not less than 30 nor more than 120 days after semen collection. 

3.1.1. For Brucella abortus/melitensis evaluation, the following tests are acceptable:

3.1.1.2. EITHER the FPA (a negative result is considered anything less 

than 20 millipolar above the negative control value);

3.1.1.3. OR The rose-bengal test/card test, (utilizing 8% Brucella abortus/ 

3% Brucella melitensis lipopolysaccharide antigen; a negative 

result is the absence of any visible reaction);

3.1.1.4. OR the complement fixation test is a negative result (Note: ewes
USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY 

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF 

SHEEP AND GOAT SEMEN FROM ICELAND

March 2016, Update May 2020 

5 

vaccinated with Brucella abortus S19 vaccine between 3 and 6 

months of age are considered negative if the sera have no fixation 

reaction up to a titer of 30 ICFTU/ml when the animals are tested 

at an age of 18 months or older);

3.1.1.5. OR The buffered plate antigen agglutination test (read for 

agglutination immediately after the 8-minute period is completed; 

a negative result is the absence of any visible reaction). 

3.1.2. Brucella ovis (in the case of sheep): acceptable tests include 

3.1.2.1. EITHER the enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), 

(using the International Standard standards for anti- Brucella ovis

S serum referenced in the OIE Terrestrial Manual);

3.1.2.2. OR the complement fixation test, (sera with no fixation reaction

for a titer less than 50 ICFTU/ml are considered to be negative)

3.1.3. Maedi-Visna disease using an immunodiffusion test with negative 

results.

3.2. TB tests specified in 2.9 must consist of negative intradermal TB tests using purified 

protein derivative Mycobacterium bovis tuberculin. 

3.2.1. The first test should be within 30 days prior to the first collection of semen. 

3.2.2. A second test is required not less than 30 days, and not more than 120 days, 

after the date of the last semen collection. Consecutive TB tests must be 

conducted at least 60 days apart.

3.2.3. If an animal vaccinated against Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis 

(Johne’s disease) responds to the M. bovis PPD in the initial skin test 

(hereafter referred to as a “responder”), a comparative cervical tuberculin 

test can be applied to determine eligibility of the remainder of the flock/herd 

for semen collection and export. 

3.2.4. If the responder is negative on the CCT test for M. bovis, the remainder of 

the flock/herd will be eligible for export. Responders are not eligible for 

collection and export to the United States.

3.3. The animals are certified as stipulated below, or were tested using the 

following technical criteria for other specific tests:

3.3.1. Bluetongue virus (BTV): 

3.3.1.1. The donor animal was EITHER1 tested negative by an ELISA test

for the BTV group on blood serum during the pre-entry quarantine 

period, and at least every 60 days after, with one test occurring 21-60 

days after semen collection; 
USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY 

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF 

SHEEP AND GOAT SEMEN FROM ICELAND

March 2016, Update May 2020 

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3.3.1.2. OR tested with a whole blood PCR test for BTV group with one 

negative test at the beginning and conclusion of the collection 

period, and at least every 28 days during the period of semen 

collection;

3.3.1.3. OR tested with a whole-blood virus isolation test for BTV group 

with one negative test at the beginning and conclusion of the 

collection period, and at least every 7 days during the period of 

semen collection;

3.3.2. Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD):

3.3.2.1. EITHER1The animals originate where no cases of EHD have been

reported within the previous 12 months, and where no serological 

evidence of EHD infection exists;

3.3.2.2. OR the following serotypes of EHD exist: and animals were tested 

on two occasions by an agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID);

3.3.2.3. OR by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (C-ELISA) 

AND by either a whole-blood PCR test or a virus neutralization test 

(VNT) for all the above-listed serotypes of EHD, with negative 

results using blood samples taken prior to, and not less than 21 days 

following collection of the semen (the two samples may not be taken 

more than 12 months apart).

3.4 The tests of the donor animals must be conducted at laboratories and by veterinarians 

approved by the Chief Veterinary Officer of the Competent Veterinary Authority. 

4. THE HEALTH CERTIFICATE MUST CONTAIN:

4.1. The identification of the donors by breed and registry number. 

4.2. The dates on which semen was collected.

4.3. The dates and methods of testing and results of the tests on the donors. 

4.4. The name and address of the semen collection unit or premise where the semen was 

collected and processed for this shipment. 

4.5. The name and address of the consignor and consignee. 

4.6. The name and address of the laboratory conducting the tests.

5. PROCESSING CERTIFICATION

5.1. The veterinarian issuing the health certificate must supervise the collection and 
USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY 

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF 

SHEEP AND GOAT SEMEN FROM ICELAND

March 2016, Update May 2020

7

processing of the semen for shipment to the United States.

5.2. The semen must be packaged in ampules or straws permanently marked with the 

name, breed, and individual identification number of the donor and the date of

collection.

5.3. The veterinarian issuing the health certificate must certify that the shipping tank is 

new or that it has been cleaned and sanitized and only fresh liquid nitrogen has been 

used to charge the tank.

5.4. The veterinarian issuing the health certificate must certify that after processing, the 

ampules/straws were segregated in a storage area separate from other embryos and 

semen not intended for export to the United States at the storage facility designated by 

MAST and were maintained under MAST supervision until such time as the 

ampules/straws were placed in the shipping tank and sealed with Government seals. 

The seal numbers must be recorded on the health certificate.

5.5. It is acceptable that semen collected at different locations in Iceland under MAST 

supervision and qualified for exportation to the United States may be included in a

single shipment, provided that MAST can certify the integrity of the total shipment, 

and that none of the germplasm was transported in a container with germplasm which 

was collected under less than equivalent health standards.

5.6. The shipment must be routed direct to the United States with no stops en route other 

than those provided for on the USDA import permit.

6. SCRAPIE SURVEILLANCE FOLLOWING IMPORTATION INTO THE UNITED

STATES: Applications for a permit to import sheep and goat semen must include statements 

that:

6.1. All first generation (F1) progeny resulting from imported semen will be identified with 

a permanent official identification consistent with the provisions of the USDA Scrapie 

Program and

6.2. Records of any sale of F1 progeny, including the name and address of the buyer, will 

be kept for a period of 5 years. APHIS may view and copy these records during 

normal business hours.

7. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

Importers are advised that individual states may additional import regulations. It is the 

importer's responsibility to verify these conditions and to meet them. The importer should 

contact the U.S. State veterinarian (State Regulations and Import Requirements) of the 

destination state to determine the requirements.
USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY 

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF 

SHEEP AND GOAT SEMEN FROM ICELAND

March 2016, Update May 2020 

8 

8. ARRIVAL AND INSPECTION AT THE PORT OF ENTRY

8.1. The shipment must be routed directly to the United States from Iceland with no stops

en route other than those provided on the USDA import permit. This shipment may 

not transit a region considered by USDA APHIS to have foot and mouth disease 

(FMD) as noted on the USDA APHIS webpage: Animal Health Status

8.2. On arrival at the port of entry, the importer or the importer's agent must present the 

original health certificate and the original import permit for the semen to an inspector 

at the port.

8.3. The shipping container and all straws or ampules containing semen must be made 

available for inspection at the port of entry and may not be removed from such port of 

entry until an inspector determines that the semen are eligible for importation in 

accordance with this protocol and releases them.

9. SEMEN REFUSED ENTRY

If any semen is determined to be ineligible for importation into the United States on arrival

at the port of entry, the importer must remove such semen from the United States within 30

days, or the semen will be destroyed.