Checklist Page 1 | 5

Checklist for APHIS-Approved Permanent Privately Owned Equine Quarantine Facilities 

Quarantine Facility Physical Address

City

State Zip

Mailing Address (if different)

Latitude/Longitude Facility Coordinates

Facility Owner/Operator

Phone

Fax Email

Inspecting Veterinarian (VS) 

Inspection Date

Inspection Type: Initial Re-inspection

Physical plant requirements for equine quarantine facilities

Facility Certification

□ The quarantine facility is not in violation of or in conflict with any responsibilities 

outlined in the memorandum of understanding. 

□ The quarantine facility shipment records comply with equine import regulations. 

Location

□ The quarantine facility is located at a site approved for use by VS Port Services.

□ The quarantine facility site is not likely to result in transmitting communicable disease to 

domestic horses.

□ Route of moving horses from the port of entry to the facility is not likely to result in 

transmitting communicable disease to domestic horses.

□ The quarantine facility is located within 2 hours’ drive of the approved port of entry.

□ The quarantine facility is located at least 200 yards away from any other containment 

structure for U.S. horses.

Comments ______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________
Checklist Page 2 | 5

Construction

□ The quarantine facility is maintained in good repair and is designed to prevent the escape 

of quarantined horses or the entry of animals outside the facility.

□ The quarantine facility is surrounded by a lockable fence at least 8 feet high to 

prevent unauthorized people or animals from entering and quarantined horses from 

escaping. Fencing also prevents small animals from entering by crawling underneath.

□ The quarantine area must be located inside a secure, self-contained building that can be 

locked. Access to horse holding areas (such as stalls and pens) must be sealable when 

animals are present and tamperproof from within the building.

□ All loading docks are constructed for the safe offloading of horses.

□ The quarantine facility has individual isolation stalls available to house any horse 

exhibiting signs of disease separate from horses not exhibiting signs of disease.

□ The quarantine facility windows or other openings are double-screened with a mesh size sufficient 

to prevent insects and other vectors of livestock diseases from entering or leaving the facility. The 

interior and exterior screens are separated by a width of at least 3 inches. 

□ Th quarantine facility flooring is skid-resistant and provides adequate drainage. All floors 

and walls that have contact with horses and their excrement or discharges are impervious 

to moisture and able to withstand repeated cleaning and disinfecting without deteriorating. 

□ The quarantine facility floor and wall surfaces are free of sharp edges that could injure 

horses.

□ Surfaces that will not come in contact with horses or their excrement or discharges can 

withstand cleaning and disinfecting between shipments.

□ Aisles for moving horses are wide enough to prevent horses in facing stalls from physically 

contacting horses in access aisles and allow safe movement, including adequate space for 

horses to turn around.

□ Each entryway into the quarantine is equipped with solid, self-closing doors.

□ Indoor heating and ventilation systems control the ambient temperature, humidity, and 

odors at safe levels for horses and humans.

o Air supplied to the quarantine area is not recirculated or reused for other ventilation 

needs.

o Air handling systems for lot holding areas are separate from air handling systems 

for other areas of the facility.

o In quarantine facilities that include more than one horse holding area, the air 

handling system(s) ensure no cross-contamination of air between separate lots.

□ The quarantine facility has adequate lighting throughout the facility to visually inspect 

each horse.

□ The quarantine facility has areas to safely restrain and inspect quarantined horses. This 

must include areas with stocks for proper inspection and sample collection.

□ The quarantine facility is constructed to prevent horses from having physical contact 

with animals outside the facility and other lots of horses within the quarantine facility

and their discharges.

□ The quarantine facility has a fire alarm and voice communication system in both the 

quarantine and non-quarantine areas such as break rooms and offices.
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□ The quarantine facility has a dedicated necropsy area (either onsite or offsite) with an 

autoclave, freezer, hot and cold running water, drainage, and adequate storage for 

equipment. 

□ Showers are located at the entrance of each quarantine area and necropsy area providing 

necessary privacy and adequate space.

□ The quarantine facility has permanent restrooms in both the quarantine and nonquarantine areas. 

□ The quarantine facility has a laundry.

□ The quarantine facility has a verminproof feed storage area as well as adequate storage 

areas for needed quarantine equipment, including an area to safely store a stock of 

disinfectant.

□ The quarantine facility contains work areas for repairing equipment and for cleaning 

and disinfecting equipment.

□ The quarantine facility has verminproof storage for any waste retained until horses 

are released from quarantine.

□ The quarantine facility has separate storage space for each lot holding area.

□ The quarantine facility provides adequate, lockable office space for use by 

Veterinary Services (VS) personnel. This must include a refrigerator and freezer to 

store samples.

Comments ______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Sanitation

□ The quarantine facility has a system in place that ensures the quarantine area will be 

cleaned and disinfected after each use and before a new lot of horses enters the facility.

□ The quarantine facility has a system in places that requires VS and authorized personnel to 

shower when they leave the quarantine area or necropsy area.

□ The quarantine facility has a system in place that requires visitors to shower before entering 

a quarantine or necropsy area and after leaving the quarantine or necropsy area. 

□ The quarantine facility provides a supply of clean protective clothing and footwear for use 

in quarantine.

□ The quarantine facility has the necessary equipment to keep the facility clean and sanitary,

including insect and pest control. 

□ The quarantine facility has a stock of approved disinfectant on site to disinfect the facility 

on a regular basis.

□ The quarantine facility has an adequate supply of potable water for all watering and 

cleaning needs. The facility maintains an emergency supply of water.

□ The quarantine facility can dispose of waste including manure, urine, and bedding by 

incineration or public sewer, if permitted. Waste is handled as regulated garbage while 

horses are in quarantine. 

□ The quarantine facility has an incinerator on site in a separate building or uses and identifies 

an offsite incinerator.

□ The quarantine facility can control surface drainage and effluent into, within, and from the 

facility to prevent the spread of disease. If more than one lot is present in the quarantine 
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facility, each holding area must have a separate drainage system to prevent crosscontamination of lots.

□ Facility treatment for vermin control is completed regularly. Record logs were reviewed at 

inspection.

□ The loading dock is cleaned and disinfected after each use in accordance with the terms 

of the signed agreement.

Comments ______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Security

□ The quarantine facility and security fence are kept locked and secure when VS or 

quarantine facility personnel are not present. VS preapproves all fencing.

□ The quarantine facility has easily visible signs posted along each edge of the

perimeter fencing indicating that a quarantine isin progress and no unauthorized 

visitors are allowed.

□ The quarantine facility is always guarded by a bonded security company or has a silent 

electronic security system installed, functional, and coordinated with local police or bonded 

security monitoring personnel.

□ The facility owner/operator provides VS with a valid phone number where he/she can 

always be reached.

Comments ______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Handling of Equines in Quarantine Facilities

□ The facility has written standard operating procedures for the importation and testing of 

horses.

□ The facility owner or operator has written contingency plans for horses becoming ill 

or dying during quarantine. VS must review and approve the plans before quarantine 

facility approval.

□ The quarantine facility has a system in place that ensures anyone granted access to the 

quarantine area:

o Wears clean protective clothing and footwear when entering the quarantine

facility.

o Wears disposable gloves when handling sick animals.

o Changes protective clothing, footwear, and gloves between different lots of 

horses, before and after handling sick horses, horses in isolation pens, and horses 
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which did not have negative test results for equine infectious anemia, equine 

piroplasmosis, dourine, or glanders. 

□ The quarantine facility has a system in place for handling quarantined horses that may 

require specialized medical attention or relocation to a hospital.

□ Footwear is disinfected after exiting each quarantine area. 

□ Emergency supplies of food and water are available for any consignment.

□ All feed and bedding used for horses in the quarantine facility is stored inside the facility

and originates from cattle fever tick-free regions. Purchase records are made available 

upon request. 

Comments ______________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________________ 

Recordkeeping for Equine Quarantine Facilities 

□ The quarantine facility maintains signed affidavits stating approved personnel will not 

have contact with any horses outside the quarantine facility during the quarantine period 

until the horses under quarantine are released for entry into the United States. Records are 

made available upon VS request. 

□ The facility maintains daily records for authorized personnel that enter and exit the 

facility. Records are reviewed during inspection.

□ The quarantine facility maintains all records for at least 2 years after the release date of 

horses. Records are made available to VS upon request. 

Comments ______________________________________________________________ 

_______________________________________________________________________ 

Inspector’s Remarks:

Yes No Based on this inspection, the quarantine facility meets the requirements to be 

approved as an equine quarantine facility. 

Signature: Signature:

VS Inspector Veterinarian in Charge 

Date: Date: 
APHIS Agreement No. 19-97XX-XXXX-MU

(Agreements Team will add the MOU number upon review)

Page 1 of 13

Instructions (delete upon drafting): Verbiage in red/highlighted font should be completed in drafting. Verbiage 

highlighted in blue is the default option but can be changed if needed.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING 

BETWEEN

Insert Official Facility Name/Official Facility Owner (COOPERATOR) 

AND THE

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE (APHIS)

VETERINARY SERVICES (VS)

ARTICLE 1 – PURPOSE

Through this MOU, APHIS-VS approves the Official Facility Name, Full Facility Address as a 

permanent, privately owned equine import quarantine facility, provided the Cooperator continues 

to meet all responsibilities and other criteria listed in Articles 4, 6, and 7 below. The Cooperator 

also acknowledges that APHIS-VS can, on an as-needed basis, conduct any site inspections, 

perform laboratory procedures, complete animal examinations, and/or otherwise supervise the 

isolation, quarantine, and care and handling of equidae to ensure the Cooperator meets the 

Department's quarantine requirements before release into the United States and to ensure

compliance with this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

It is the intention of the two parties that such cooperation is for their mutual benefit and the benefit 

of the people of the United States.

ARTICLE 2 – BACKGROUND

The Cooperator has submitted a written application seeking APHIS-VS’ approval of a privately

owned equine import quarantine facility at the Official Facility Name, Full Facility Address. VS 

personnel responsible for APHIS-VS operations in the area have reviewed the application and 

determined that, in their opinion, sufficient APHIS-VS resources are available to provide oversight

of the proposed facility. APHIS-VS has also conducted a facility review and inspection to determine 

that the facility sufficiently meets the requirements of title 9, Code of Federal Regulations (9 CFR)

93.308-93.313, VS Guidance 13402.1, including the associated checklist, and VS Guidance 

13412.2.

ARTICLE 3 – AUTHORITIES

Under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, PL 107-171, Subtitle E, Animal Health 

Protection, Section 10401-10418, the Secretary of Agriculture, in order to protect the agriculture, 

environment, economy, and health and welfare of the people of the United States by preventing, 

detecting, controlling, and eradicating diseases and pests of animals, is authorized to cooperate 

with foreign countries, States, and other jurisdictions, or other persons, to prevent and eliminate 

burdens on interstate commerce and foreign commerce, and to regulate effectively interstate 

commerce and foreign commerce.
APHIS Agreement No. 19-97XX-XXXX-MU

(Agreements Team will add the MOU number upon review)

Page 2 of 13

APHIS-VS is authorized pursuant to the Animal Health Protection Act, 7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq., to 

regulate the general introduction, importation, and/or entry of livestock, avians, and various other 

species of animals into the United States, to prevent the introduction of animal, poultry, and 

livestock diseases into the United States.

ARTICLE 4 – COOPERATOR RESPONSIBILITIES

The Cooperator agrees to/that:

1. Designate Mr./Ms./Dr. – Insert full name(s) as the authorized representative(s) responsible 

for collaboratively administering the activities outlined within this MOU.

2. Operate the quarantine facility in accordance with all Federal laws and regulations, including, 

but not limited to, 9 CFR 93.308 through 93.313 and VS Guidance Documents 13402.1, 

13407.2, and 13412.2.

3. Self-certify that he or she or a person responsibly connected to the business of the quarantine 

facility is not in conflict with regulations or terms listed in this MOU which state neither 

party may act as a paid agent for the importation or subsequent sale of equine animals. 

4. Cooperator agrees to/that it will not provide services to only one broker or a select few of 

brokers, and refuse service to others, without providing a valid written justification to 

APHIS-VS explaining whether the cooperator or a person responsibly connected with the 

business of the quarantine facility acts as a paid agent (broker) for the importation or 

subsequent sale of horses. See 9 CFR 93.308(c)(1)(iv)(C)(3). If APHIS-VS has reason to 

believe the Cooperator is not booking horses in an impartial manner, APHIS-VS may 

investigate pursuant to its authority under the Animal Health Protection Act to determine 

whether the facility has a conflict of interest as described in 9 CFR 93.308(c)(1)(iv)(C)(3).

5. Provide a local telephone number that APHIS-VS can use for contact at any time.

6. Maintain and provide APHIS-VS with an updated list detailing authorized personnel, 

employed by the Cooperator, who will be used to handle and care for equines in the

quarantine facility. The list will chronicle the legal names and current residential addresses 

of the authorized personnel. The list will be updated for any changes in, or additions to, the

authorized personnel, in advance of such personnel working in the quarantine facility. All 

personnelwith access must sign an ancillary agreement stipulating they will follow the terms 

of the MOU, and any related instructions from APHIS-VS representatives pertaining to 

quarantine operations.

7. Adequately train all authorized personnel to ensure proper knowledge of all APHIS-VS 

quarantine requirements and working with and handling equines. 

8. Ensure that only the facility owner, or designated operator, grants facility access to APHISVS representatives and others specifically authorized to work at the facility for the purposes 

of inspecting equines in quarantine, completing operational tasks at the quarantine facility, 

and verification of compliance with the standards for quarantine facilities and handling

procedures for importation of equines contained in 9 CFR 93.308 through 93.313. 

9. Visitors may be permitted access under the direct supervision and oversight of APHIS-VS, 

to be arranged in advance with the designated APHIS-VS representative(s). 

10. Ensure all visitors and authorized personnel adhere to APHIS policy and biosecurity

standards and procedures in effect at the facility when entering and leaving the facility. 
APHIS Agreement No. 19-97XX-XXXX-MU

(Agreements Team will add the MOU number upon review)

Page 3 of 13

11. Anyone granted access to the quarantine area must follow all procedures as outlined in VS 

Guidance 13412.2: Entry Procedures for Persons Accessing Permanent Animal Import 

Quarantine Facilities Overseen by Veterinary Services. 

12. Display easily visible signs at all entrances designating the quarantine area, which clearly 

identify the prohibited entry of visitors or other unauthorized personnel. All approved 

personnel, except veterinary practitioners providing emergency care, must sign an affidavit 

before entering the quarantine area stating they will not have contact with any equines outside 

of the quarantine facility during the quarantine period until the equines under quarantine

are released for entry into the United States, or if from a country with FMD, no contact with 

any livestock for five (5) days. Any employee entering quarantine who cannot sign such an

affidavit (or has outside contact with any other species in quarantine) must shower into and 

out of the quarantine. These employees must also sign an agreement stating that they will 

immediately inform their supervisor if any of the animals with which they have contact with 

are, or appear to be, affected by a potential contagious condition. Permanent employees must 

sign a new affidavit annually. The affidavits must be kept at the facility for APHIS-VS' 

review upon request. Visitors must be catalogued in a logbook, which must be kept at the 

facility for APHIS-VS’review upon request.

13. Immediately report any suspected illness or death of a quarantined equine to APHIS-VS, to 

schedule a time for APHIS-VS and the accredited veterinarian to assess an ill equine, and to 

notify APHIS-VS as soon as possible of any other emergency. If anti-pyretics, such as 

phenylbutazone (Bute) or flunixin meglumine (Banamine), havebeen administered, a twentyfour (24-)hour washout period must elapse from the time the last dose is given before the first 

of the three (3) required normal temperatures (taken at least six (6) hours apart in a twentyfour (24-) hour window), mandatory for release, can be established. This twenty-four (24-

)hour washout from anti-pyretic medication applies to equines receiving anti-pyretic drugs 

for pain or injury. If an equine with a medical condition that requires continued treatment is 

imported, then release from quarantine will be delayed accordingly. If no fever-reducing 

drugs are used, but the quarantined animal has a fever, then the first of three (3) normal 

temperatures taken at least six (6) hours apart within the twenty-four (24-)hour window 

resets to the subsequent APHIS-VS verified normal temperature of 101.5 or below (102.1 

or below for unweaned foals).

14. Provide established emergency response plans in the event of a natural disaster, disease 

outbreak, or other emergency which necessitates closure of the quarantine. Emergency plans

must be accessible to all personnel in both the quarantine and non-quarantine areas. 

15. Record in a daily log all personnel moving to and from the facility. The log must be readily 

available to APHIS-VS personnel upon request. 

16. Keep all records related to the quarantine for at least three (3) years after the release of the 

animals and make these records readily available to APHIS-VS upon request.

17. Suspend (and/or discharge, as applicable) any authorized personnel determined by APHISVS under Article 5, Section 12 to merit suspension or discharge.

18. Directly apply for or remind the importer of record for the equine to apply for an import 

permit, no less than 7-10 business days before the proposed date of entry of the equine into 

the quarantine facility to ensure the permit is issued before the planned shipment date.

Applications must be submitted electronically via ePermit at

https://epermits.aphis.usda.gov/epermits or via email to APHIS, Veterinary Services Port 

Office Name and Email Address. APHIS-VS is not responsible for ensuring duplicate 

permits are not filed by the Cooperator and importer of record, resulting in the forfeiture of 

the permitting user fees.
APHIS Agreement No. 19-97XX-XXXX-MU

(Agreements Team will add the MOU number upon review)

Page 4 of 13

19. Submit a request for service no less than three (3) business days before the proposed date of 

entry of equines into the facility, to APHIS, Veterinary Services, Full AIC / Port Office 

Address. Requests may also be submitted via email or phone with the respective office. 

Before approval can be granted, APHIS-VS personnel must inspect the facility to determine

whether it complies with the standards set forth in this MOU. Approval of any quarantine 

facility may be withdrawn at any time by APHIS-VS, upon determination that any 

requirements of this MOU are not being met. All services that are not properly requested on 

time are subject to compliance assistance fees for processing. In the event of inadequate 

notice, services cannot be guaranteed.

20. Once an import permit has been issued, and services have been confirmed with the Location

VS office, the Cooperator is held responsible to provide the service.

21. In the event that an equine must be treated medically or surgically, the importer of record or 

Cooperator must have an approved referral hospital which meets physical requirements of 

quarantine as outlined above, or a plan in place for intensive medical hospitalization and

treatment with the quarantine facility.

22. Establish a user fee credit account with APHIS-VS for the Official Facility Name

Quarantine Facility. User fees for any services rendered by APHIS-VS will be calculated 

at the user fee rate listed in 9 CFR Part 130. The Cooperator is liable for payment of these

fees in accordance with 9 CFR 130.50 and 130.51 (user fee credit account, money order, 

or credit card). Upon receipt of the monthly statement from APHIS-VS the Cooperator will 

send payment to defray all costs incurred by APHIS-VS in providing services.

FACILITY REQUIREMENTS

23. Maintain the facility in good repair and provide personnel to maintain the facility and to 

provide for the proper care and feeding of the equines. Access to equine holding areas (such 

as stalls, pens, etc.) must be from within the building only.

24. Maintain a security perimeter that can be locked and encompasses the entire quarantine 

facility. The perimeter fencing must be a minimum of eight (8) feet high, of sufficient design, 

and approved by APHIS-VS to prevent the entry of unauthorized people and animals from 

outside the facility, and to prevent equines under quarantine restrictions from exiting the 

facility. 

25. The facility and security perimeter are always kept locked and secure. If the security 

perimeter is breached or otherwise found to be inadequate, the Cooperator must provide

corrective actions, and/or install/re-install a security perimeter meeting APHIS-approved 

safety standards.

26. Ensure the facility either is always guarded by a bonded security company or has an 

Underwriters Laboratories-approved silent electronic security system that contacts a remote 

monitoring site staffed by local police or bonded security monitoring personnel. If an 

electronic security system is used, the operator must provide written instructions to the

bonded monitoring agency stating that if the alarm is triggered, the local police and the designated

APHIS-VS representative(s) must both be immediately notified. 

27. Immediately report any breaks or suspected breaks in security, including the entry of 

unauthorized people or animals and unauthorized movement or escape, to the designated 

APHIS-VS representative.

28. Provide adequate storage within the facility for supplies and equipment needed for the 

quarantine, with separate secure storage for pesticides, medical, and/or other biological 

supplies. Medical or other biological supplies must only be used by an accredited 
APHIS Agreement No. 19-97XX-XXXX-MU

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veterinarian. If held on site, all medication must be kept in a separate, lockable area only 

accessible to the accredited veterinarian and APHIS-VS. A log identifying the type and 

amount of medical or biological supply being kept must be maintained and readily available 

for review upon APHIS-VS request. Controlled substances must not be kept at the facility.

29. Provide adequate lighting throughout the facility, facilitating the visual inspection of equines.

30. Provide a fire alarm and voice communication system in both quarantine and non-quarantine 

areas, such as break rooms, offices, etc. Such communication system shall not interfere with 

the maintenance of the biological security of the quarantine area. The facility shall also be 

equipped with smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in sufficient numbers to meet local 

ordinances.

31. Provide permanent restrooms in both the non-quarantine and quarantine areas.

32. Provide and use individual isolation stalls for equines exhibiting signs of illness. Isolation 

stalls shall be separate allowing no contact with horses in the same shipment or other lots 

present.

33. Provide sufficient feed and bedding for the equines, maintain adequate feed and watering 

equipment for all animals, and store feed and bedding in a separate area to prevent 

contamination. Feed and bedding must be vermin-free, fresh, and unspoiled. Feed and 

bedding must not originate from a region affected with fever ticks, as identified in 9 CFR 

part 72, or otherwise as further amended by APHIS.

34. All feed accepted for use in quarantine is received in untampered, sealed packaging. All hay 

used is inspected by the Cooperator or authorized representative prior to use. Purchase 

records must be readily available upon APHIS-VS request.

35. Provide stalls of sufficient size to allow each animal to make normal postural and social 

adjustments and provide adequate freedom of movement.

36. Maintain aisles for moving equines wide enough to prevent equines in adjoining stalls from

physically contacting equines in access aisles and allow safe movement, including adequate 

space for equines to turn around.

37. Provide indoor cooling, heating, and ventilation that controls the ambient temperature, 

humidity, and odors to prevent discomfort of the animals at all times. Air supplied to the 

quarantinearea must not be recirculated or re-used for other ventilation needs. Air handling 

systems for lot holding areas must be separate from air handling systems for other areas of 

the facility. If the facility includes more than one equine holding area, the design must 

minimize cross-contamination of air between separate lots.

CLEANING

38. Ensure all vehicles are cleaned and disinfected with an approved disinfectant in accordance 

with USDA requirements before entering or leaving the area within the security perimeter, 

or any quarantine area.

39. Use equipment and supplies to adequately maintain the facility in a clean and sanitary 

condition, including the control of pests. There must be a stock of disinfectant authorized in 

9 CFR 71.10 (or otherwise authorized by VS) sufficient to disinfect the entire facility and 

remove equine infectious and contagious disease pathogens.

40. Ensure the facility has a supply of potable water for all watering and cleaning needs; an 

emergency supply of potable water must be maintained.

41. Any area that has held quarantined equines must be cleaned and disinfected after each use 

and before a new lot may enter the area in accordance with USDA requirements.
APHIS Agreement No. 19-97XX-XXXX-MU

(Agreements Team will add the MOU number upon review)

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42. Keep all loading/unloading docks,ramps, and walkways/entrances clean and free of debris and

hazardous conditions. The Cooperator must clean and disinfect any multi-use loading dock, 

ramp, room, hallway or alleyway (i.e., a loading dock or hallway used to receive and release 

equine shipments; or a hallway/alleyway used to exercise animals from different 

consignments) immediately after use to ensure cleanliness for the incoming animal 

shipment or initial purpose.

43. A cleaning and disinfection log must be maintained for these common areas, available for 

APHIS-VSreview readily upon request.

44. Provide APHIS-VS personnel adequate examination space, including stocks, along with a 

sufficient quantity of adequately trained facility personnel, with appropriate equipment or 

tools, to safely restrain equines during the collection of test samples, temperature checks,

and physical inspection process. 

45. The Cooperator must provide a lockable office/laboratory space with sample collection 

supplies, centrifuge, refrigerator, and freezer, to be used for recordkeeping, document 

preparation, sample preparation, packaging, and potential supply storage.

46. Dedicate equipment to the quarantine facility, or to a specific area within the facility, which 

will be used with a single lot. All equipment in the facility, or its specific areas, must be 

cleaned and disinfected with approved disinfectants at the end of the quarantine period

before use with a new lot.

47. Provide at least one walk-through unisex shower, for use by one individual at a time, or two 

separate walk-through showers(one for men and one for women), with an anteroom on either

side for clothes storage and changing. The shower and changing area must be located at the 

entrance of the facility prior to entering the quarantine and/or necropsy areas. 

48. The quarantine facility must have a functional laundry, located within the quarantine area.

49. Clean towels and clothing must be staged on the clean side with a receptacle to collect 

clothing worn in the quarantine area on the dirty side. The operator is responsible for 

properly cleaning and/or disposal of soiled and contaminated laundry used in the facility, 

and for making sure the showers are stocked with soap, maintained in a hygienic state, and 

used by anyone entering or exiting the respective quarantine or necropsy area when 

animals, animal carcasses, or animal excretions/secretions are present, and/or until APHISVS provides a derogation.

50. Provide clean footbaths with disinfectant at all entries/exits to quarantine, and the respective 

lot containment areas.

51. Ensure the facility contains and uses designated work areas for repairing equipment and the 

cleaning and disinfecting of equipment.

52. Maintain double screens, mesh, or filters on windows, and on other permanent openings that 

expose the interior of the quarantine facility to the surrounding environment. The mesh, 

screens, or filters must be easily removed for cleaning, and must be of a sufficient size to 

prevent pests, insects, and other vectors of livestock diseases from entering or leaving the 

facility. The interior and exterior screens, mesh, or filters must be separated by a width of at 

least three (3) inches.

53. Ensure all floors and walls that have contact with equines and their excrement or discharges 

are impervious to moisture and able to withstand repeated cleaning and disinfecting without 

deteriorating. Floor and wall surfaces must be free of sharp edges that could injure equines. 

Flooring must be skid resistant and provide adequate drainage.

54. If more than one lot is present in the quarantine facility, each holding area must have a 

separate drainage system to prevent cross-contamination of lots.
APHIS Agreement No. 19-97XX-XXXX-MU

(Agreements Team will add the MOU number upon review)

Page 7 of 13

55. Ensure each lot of equines (i.e., animals arriving as a single shipment) is held separately in

the facility on an "all-in, all- out" basis (i.e., separate lots of equines can be received and 

housed without contact with any other lots being quarantined at the facility). Once a bay is 

designated for a single lot, or for individual lots within single stalls, the status of the bay

cannot be changed until all quarantined animals within have been released by APHIS-VS.

This also involves handling shipments based on a triage system and based on assumed risk 

(i.e., lots are handled based on length of time in quarantine and health status of all horses in 

each lot).

56. To keep lots of animals separate, physical barriers that prevent contact with other lots of equines 

and their discharges are required. Each lot must have its own separate storage areas for 

supplies and equipment for sanitation and pest control. Employees handling imported equines

may not also handle equines for export on the same day, unless they shower and change 

clothing between activities, and the process is chronicled on a log that is available for APHISVS review.

NECROPSY AND DISPOSAL

57. Provide a dedicated necropsy area (either onsite or offsite) with an autoclave, freezer, hot 

and cold running water, drainage, and adequate storage for equipment. 

58. For offsite necropsy arrangements, the Cooperator is responsible for the costs, monitoring, 

and logistical arrangements associated with the biosecure movement of the carcass after 

obtaining permission from the designated APHIS-VS representative(s). 

59. The Cooperator is also responsible for the costs and logistical arrangements associated with 

APHIS-VS oversightof the necropsy and eventual disposal at the destination facility. In the 

event of an offsite necropsy, the Cooperator will use Facility Name in City, State. The 

necropsy will be performed under BSL-2 or 3 containment. Following the necropsy, the 

carcass will be disposed of method of disposal on site or at location.

60. Ensure the facility appropriately disposes of waste (including manure, discharges, and 

bedding) in leakproof bags and containers. Wastewater or other liquid wastes must drain to 

a municipal or septic waste treatment system and cannot be discharged untreated to the

exterior of the quarantine facility. All waste from the quarantine must be disposed of in a 

manner to prevent release of pathogens to the environment. The disposition of such

material shall only be under the direction and supervision of APHIS-VS. Waste must be 

handled as regulated garbage while equines are in quarantine. 

61. Regulated garbage must be disposed of by incineration, by discharge into the public sewer, 

or other method authorized by APHIS-VS (in accordance with applicable Federal, State, or 

local waste disposal requirements) to prevent the spread of disease during a quarantine

period. Alternatively, waste may be held onsite until all equines in the respective lot have 

completed and been released from quarantine restrictions, and then be disposed of as 

domestic waste. The facility must handle waste materials adequately to minimize spoilage 

and attracting pests. If the facility includes an incinerator, the incinerator must be located 

in a separate building. If the onsite incinerators are not functional, the Cooperator will use 

his or her contract with Company Name for any incineration activities. 

62. In the event the incinerator is on a local site away from the quarantine facility, an APHISVS representative must be present to provide direct oversight for all transfer of materials to

the incinerator, at the cost of the Cooperator. Such transfers must be made in a biosecure

manner to prevent release of pathogens to the environment during transport, in accordance 
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with all applicable local, State, and Federal regulations.

63. Provide the facility's plan to dispose of any carcasses of animals that die during quarantine,

to prevent disease spread, in accordance with USDA requirements.

ARTICLE 5 – APHIS-VS RESPONSIBILITIES

APHIS-VS agrees to:

1. Designate Mr./Ms./Dr.--Insert full name as its Authorized Departmental Officer’s 

Designated Representative who shall be responsible for collaboratively administering the 

activities conducted under this MOU.

2. Provide the Cooperator with pertinent revised or newly issued and applicable written 

guidance to clarify regulatory ambiguity, when possible.

3. Furnish the services of technical and/or professional personnel needed to conduct inspections, 

perform laboratory procedures, complete examinations, and supervise the isolation, 

quarantine, treatment, and care and handling of equines being imported, to ensure that they 

meet the Department's quarantine requirements before release into the United States.

4. Issue import permits in 7-10 business days following receipt of the permit application, 

depending on the availability of personnel to provide the services needed to meet all 

requirements for quarantine.

5. Inform the Cooperator of whatever tests and procedures may be deemed necessary to ensure 

the quarantined equines are free of communicable livestock diseases.

6. Physically monitor all import quarantine operations. This includes, but is not limited to, 

inspecting arriving equines, identifying the equine and its accompanying import certification, 

collecting/overseeing and reporting on required serological testing, examining equines for 

external parasites, and performing necessary monitoring.

7. Provide direct oversight of any incineration and/or necropsies performed at sites away from 

the quarantine facility, subject to applicable user fees.

8. Re-inspect the facility after each shipment, before arrival of the subsequent shipment, to verify 

the operator has cleaned and disinfected the affected area(s) adequately, in compliance with 

quarantine guidelines. Direct APHIS-VS supervision of each cleaning and disinfection is not 

required once the operator has demonstrated how the procedures will be carried out, and

APHIS-VS has established a record of compliance verifying strict adherence to those 

procedures.

9. Place seals on entrances or exits as a safeguard, in the event of any security or biosecurity 

breaches of which APHIS-VS becomes aware, and the corrective action or preventive 

measures provided by the facility are deemed unacceptable by APHIS-VS. [Note: If for any 

reason, intentional or otherwise, anyone other than an APHIS-VS representative breaks the 

seals, the Cooperator must notify APHIS-VS immediately. An APHIS-VS representative must 

then immediately account for all equines in the facility.]

10. Inform the Cooperator when a diagnosis of disease of concern has been made in the facility. 

If a communicable disease is diagnosed in the quarantined equines, APHIS-VS may require 

that a bonded security company provide coverage to ensure the security of the facility.

11. Review logbooks and standard operating procedures as needed, in addition to providing direct 

observation and spot-checking procedures to verify compliance with the provisions of this

MOU.
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12. Notify, in writing, the Cooperator of any authorized personnel whom APHIS-VS believes 

should be suspended or discharged from work at the quarantine facility, and the basis for such 

action. Similar notice shall be afforded to the employee. Such determination by APHIS-VS 

shall be based on an employee’s committing, or aiding and abetting in the commission of, any 

violation of 9 CFR part 93. Subsequent to any notice of suspension, the designated employee 

shall have the right to request an immediate review of such action by APHIS-VS, provided 

such request is made within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the aforementioned written 

notice. The employee’s option includes presenting his or her views to APHIS-VS in an 

informal or formal conference. If APHIS-VS makes a final determination that grounds exist 

to suspend or discharge the employee, APHIS-VS shall notify the Cooperator and the 

suspended employee of that determination in writing. The Cooperator further agrees to 

suspend any designated employee from working at a quarantine facility when APHIS-VS has 

reason to believe that such employee has violated any provision of 9 CFR part 93, and the 

Administrator has determined that the actions of such employee constitute a severe threat to 

introduce or disseminate a communicable disease of poultry or other livestock into the United

States.

13. Provide the Cooperator with a consolidated monthly billing statement that will summarize all 

APHIS Form 81 Statement of Services charges incurred by the Cooperator. The monthly 

statement will also include all collections received during the month.

ARTICLE 6 – MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITIES

It is mutually understood and agreed:

1. Each shipment must be placed in the facility on an “all-in all-out” basis. As the Cooperator 

has identified an interest in quarantining equines as a single lot within a single bay/barn, and 

an individual lot within a single stall inside of a single bay/barn, he or she must reliably 

demonstrate adequate biosecurity practices maintaining distinct separation between the 

different lots, housed in the respective arrangements (i.e., between each single stall within the 

bay/barn, and/or between the various bays/barns). 

2. The Cooperator must implement a process to delineate how the equines within a bay/barn are 

currently being quarantined, clearly visible to all individuals before they enter the bay/barn. 

Once a bay/barn is designated for a single lot, or for individual lots within single stalls, the

status of the bay/barn cannot be changed until all quarantined animals within have been 

released by APHIS-VS. Equines of different diseases statuses (e.g., those eligible for three (3-

) day versus seven (7-)day quarantines) cannot be housed in a single bay/barn. If the 

Cooperator is unable to demonstrate or maintain adequate biosecurity practices, the pilot of 

quarantining equines as an individual lot within a single stall, inside a single bay, will be

revoked.

3. All quarantined equines will be subjected to tests as deemed necessary by APHIS-VS. This is 

to determine their freedom from disease and general health status prior to the release of the 

equines, including but not limited to dourine, glanders, equine piroplasmosis, and equine 

infectious anemia. The only approved laboratory for import testing is the National Veterinary 

Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, IA. The costs for such testing will be at the expense 

of the Cooperator or importer of record. If the importer is responsible for the expense, and he 

or she does not have an established user fee account, the Cooperator must notify the importer 

and obtain payment information for APHIS-VS. If this is not done, APHIS-VS will inform 

NVSL to reconcile charges to the Cooperator’s user fee account. User fees associated with 
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the collection of diagnostic specimens are the responsibility of the quarantine facility. Delays 

in testing, logistical issues, and non-negative results will impact the release eligibility of a lot, 

and thus may affect the facility’s ability to accommodate subsequent lots. No additional 

testing will be permitted for animals under quarantine restrictions until non-negative results 

are obtained, barring emergency situations. After non-negative results are obtained, additional

testing on equines that have not cleared other import requirements may be permitted on a 

case-by-case basis, after obtaining approval from the designated APHIS-VS representative(s).

4. APHIS-VS may extend a quarantine period as needed to determine the health status of the 

animals involved before their release.

5. Equines will be transported from the port of entry to the quarantine facility under seal, or 

under the direct oversight of APHIS-VS, in leakproof containers or vehicles (vans) that are 

then cleaned and disinfected with an approved disinfectant in accordance with USDA 

requirements. The following disinfectants are permitted: Sodium carbonate (4 percent) plus 

sodium silicate (0.1 percent) in the proportion of one pound of sodium carbonate plus sodium 

silicate to three (3) gallons of water; sodium hydroxide (lye) in the proportion of one (1) pound 

in five (5) gallons water; sodium carbonate (soda ash) in the proportion of one (1) pound in 

three (3) gallons of water; Virkon S formulated according to the manufacturer’s instructions; 

and Accel INTERVention formulated according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

6. Equines’ hooves must be cleaned and disinfected with Accel INTERVention, Virkon S, or a 

4 percent solution of sodium carbonate at the quarantine facility, or before being loaded at the 

port for transportation to the quarantine facility. The facility is responsible for ensuring 

products used on animals are approved, and do not cause harm. Footwear of accompanying

personnel must be inspected at the port and disinfected if soiled.

7. Equines must be free of ticks or other external parasites. Equines must be sprayed with an 

Atroban 11.0 percent emulsifiable concentrate (one (1) pint to twenty-five (25) gallons of clean

water) or other effective acaracide approved by APHIS-VS. Complete application of treatment 

is achieved when the coat is saturated, and treatment is applied to all areas of the skin. The

false nostril and external ear canal must also be examined and treated for ectoparasites by the 

Cooperator under APHIS-VS supervision. Spraying must be completed on skid-resistant 

moisture-impervious flooring able to withstand repeated cleaning and disinfecting without

deteriorating, and with adequate drainage.

8. Equines from or transiting foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) regions must be sprayed with a 

viricidal agent against FMD. The most commonly used compound is acetic acid (vinegar);

however, the facility may use another product such as Accel INTERVention, providing they 

have ensured the product of choice is approved and safe for use on animals. One acaricide

or viricidal treatment must be permitted to dry before the other is applied to the animal.

9. While in quarantine, equines must be inspected and have a temperature reading at least daily

by an APHIS-VS representative; their temperatures must be taken and recorded at least twice 

daily, with at least three (3) normal temperatures taken within the last twenty-four (24) hours 

prior to release; and they must be observed for clinical signs of disease. Temperatures may 

not be taken closer than six (6) hours apart, and the initial and final temperature must span the 

twenty-four (24-)hour window. Normal weaned equine rectal temperature is 99.0-101.5

degrees F. Normal unweaned equine rectal temperature is 99.5 to 102.1 degrees F. 

10. Accompanying tack and equipment are subject to APHIS-VS inspection upon arrival at the

port of entry, or at the quarantine facility, and will be subjected to any mitigation needed as a

precautionary measure against the introduction of foreign animal diseases.
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11. Cleaning and disinfection of equipment, supplies, stalls, and transport vehicles will be done 

under supervision of APHIS-VS personnel.

12. No equines may be bred during quarantine and the collection of germplasm during quarantine 

is prohibited.

13. Equines may not be vaccinated prior to the completion of APHIS-VS quarantine.

14. Equines still under import restrictions or which require specialized medical attention or 

necropsy may be moved to another approved site, (clinic, laboratory, or institution) on a case

by case basis. APHIS-VS must approve of the movement in advance, and the approved facility 

requires an initial inspection or annual inspection for recertification.

15. APHIS-VS representatives do not need to be physically present during routine facility 

operations. Routine facility operations currently include daily husbandry/care, additional 

monitoring beyond APHIS-VS’ requirements, and cleaning and disinfection (once a record of 

compliance has been achieved).

16. Approval for a privately owned and operated quarantine facility already in operation may be 

withdrawn at any time by APHIS-VS as stated in 9 CFR 93.308. APHIS-VS may suspend or 

revoke its approval of the facility if the facility is found at any time by APHIS-VS to be 

noncompliant with the regulations, VS Guidance 13402.1, or this MOU; or if an outbreak of a

communicable disease is not adequately prevented, contained, or eliminated. APHIS-VS will 

document in writing to the Cooperator any suspension or revocation of facility approval.

17. APHIS-VS can arrange to provide alternative quarantine services for an equine shipment ifit

determines operation of the facility is significantly deficient. The Cooperator can request in 

writing from APHIS-VS a copy of an inspection report relating the deficiency.

18. The number of equines quarantined at the facility will not exceed the maximum capacity of 

NUMBER # equines. The quarantine facility currently has # bays/barns, of # individual stalls 

each. Each shipment must be placed in on an “all-in-all-out” basis, whereby separate lots of 

equines can be received and housed without contact with any other lots being quarantined at 

the facility. The import quarantine portion of the facility cannot be used for export purposes.

19. When emergencies such as power outages or natural disasters occur, quarantined animals 

may not be removed from the facility during a quarantine period unless APHIS-VS 

specifically approves. APHIS-VS will make every effort to have an inspector present even 

during these emergencies.

20. Arrangements for disposing of the entire lot, if the need arises, must be approved by the 

designated APHIS-VS representative(s).

ARTICLE 7 – STATEMENT OF NO FINANCIAL OBLIGATION

Signature of this MOU does not constitute a financial obligation on the part of APHIS. Each 

signatory party is to use and manage its own funds in carrying out the purpose of this MOU. 

Transfers of funds or items of value are not authorized under this MOU.

ARTICLE 8 – LIMITATIONS OF COMMITMENT

This MOU and any continuation thereof shall be contingent upon the availability of funds 

appropriated by the Congress of the United States. It is understood and agreed that any monies 

allocated for purposes covered by this MOU shall be expended in accordance with its terms and 

the manner prescribed by the fiscal regulations and/or administrative policies of the party making 

the funds available. If fiscal resources are to transfer, a separate agreement must be developed 

by the parties.
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ARTICLE 9 – CONGRESSIONAL RESTRICTION

Under 41 U.S.C. 22, no member of, or delegate to, Congress shall be admitted to any share or part 

of this MOU or to any benefit to arise therefrom; but this provision shall not be construed to extend 

to this MOU if made with a corporation of its general benefit.

ARTICLE 10 – NON-DISCRIMINATION CLAUSE

The United States Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination in all its programs and 

activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, 

marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, 

political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any 

public assistance program. Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.

ARTICLE 11 – LIABILITIES

APHIS assumes no liability for any actions or activities conducted under this MOU except to the 

extent the recourse or remedies are provided by Congress under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 

U.S.C. 1346(b), 2401(b), 2671-2680).

ARTICLE 12 – LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS

All activities will be conducted in accordance with applicable Federal statutes, rules, and 

regulations.

ARTICLE 13 – AMENDMENTS

This MOU may be amended at any time by agreement of the parties in writing.

ARTICLE 14 – TERMINATION

This MOU may be terminated at any time by mutual agreement of the parties in writing, or by 

either party with thirty (30) days’ notice in writing to the other party.

ARTICLE 15 – EFFECTIVE DATE AND DURATION

OPTION 1:

This MOU will become effective upon date of final signature and will continue in effect for 1

year.

OPTION 2:

This MOU will become effective upon date of final signature and will continue in effect through

(insert month, day, and year--ending date must not exceed 1 year from date of final signature).

A new MOU will need to be filed at or prior to the expiration of the previous MOU.
APHIS Agreement No. 19-97XX-XXXX-MU

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Insert Cooperator’s Organizational Name

Facility Owner/Corporate Officer's Signature Date

Please Print Name

Facility Owner/Corporate Officer's Official Title

Name of Quarantine Facility: 

Address of Quarantine Facility: 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE 

VETERINARY SERVICES

Port Services Director Date