12 January 2023
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has conducted a policy review of the rabies virus risk in imported dogs, cats and canine semen from approved countries. All comments on the draft report for this policy review have been considered in the finalisation process. The final report and the department’s responses to stakeholder comments are now available on our website.
Rabies virus is the most significant disease agent of biosecurity concern associated with the importation of dogs and cats. Rabies virus is exotic to Australia and infected animals can transmit the virus to humans. Once clinical signs develop, infection with rabies virus is almost always fatal. The World Health Organisation estimates that rabies causes tens of thousands of human deaths each year, up to 99% of which are due to transmission by infected dogs.
The current import conditions are based on the 2013 Importation of dogs and cats and their semen from approved countries: final policy review (2013 review). The 2013 review had an increased emphasis on offshore management for rabies virus to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection. This reduced the need for extended periods of post-entry quarantine. This approach relied heavily on importer compliance and certification provided by overseas competent authorities.>
However, since the 2013 review, there have been significant changes to the volume of imports and increasing commercialisation of trade. This has increased the rabies biosecurity risk for the importation of dogs and cats. Many countries, including Australia, have reported increases in detected and suspected fraudulent certification and other documents associated with companion animal imports. Consequently, a review of the policy for rabies was required.
The key proposals of the final report from the policy review are:
- All dogs and cats must be implanted with an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) compatible microchip prior to commencing pre-export preparation.
- Dog and cats must not have resided in unapproved countries during the 180 days prior to export to Australia.
- Dogs and cats from group 2 approved countries must have an identity check, which includes scanning of the microchip, by the exporting country’s competent authority at least 180 days before export and prior to commencing any export preparations. Evidence of the identity check must be presented as part of the import permit application process.
- For dogs and cats from group 2 approved countries, there is no change to the current mandatory minimum 10 days post-entry quarantine (PEQ) period.
- *For Australian origin dogs and cats returning from group 3 approved countries, evidence of the animals previous export from Australia (e.g. export permit) has been provided with the import permit application.
- *For dogs and cats from group 3 approved countries, a declaration by an official veterinarian accompanied the import permit application, certifying that they have scanned the animal’s microchip, that the animal is microchipped with the stated microchip number and the location of the microchip. This must occur prior to commencing pre-export preparation.
- For dogs and cats from group 3 approved countries, rabies vaccination must be current at the time of export to Australia.
- For dogs and cats from group 3 approved countries, an adequate rabies neutralising titre test (RNATT) laboratory report will be valid for 12 months only.
- For dogs and cats from group 3 approved countries, either
- For returning animals of Australian origin or those that have had their identity confirmed by an official veterinarian, a PEQ period of at least 10 days is required if animals are prepared in compliance with the pre-export measures.
OR - For all other animals prepared in compliance with the pre-export measures, a PEQ period of at least 30 days is required.
- For returning animals of Australian origin or those that have had their identity confirmed by an official veterinarian, a PEQ period of at least 10 days is required if animals are prepared in compliance with the pre-export measures.
- For dogs and cats from group 3 approved countries, if required there may be additional post-entry verification activities to verify compliance with the pre-export measures. The longest this could be expected to take is 180 days but would typically be a much shorter period.
* These conditions are optional and may not be applicable for all animals. However, meeting these conditions will allow dogs and cats to be eligible for a shorter PEQ period.
These new conditions will be implemented from 1 March 2023. The department will contact all affected permit holders to provide advice about how these changes affect their permits. The department will also update the bringing cats and dogs to Australia website with these new conditions prior to the implementation date.
To receive information and updates on biosecurity risk analyses subscribe to Biosecurity Risk Analysis Animal on the department’s website. Subscribers will receive biosecurity advice notices and other notifications about animal biosecurity policy.
Dr Peter Finnin
Assistant Secretary
Animal Biosecurity