15 February 2012
This Biosecurity Advice invites stakeholders to provide comments on the draft policy review of the Importation of zoo perissodactyls from approved countries by 16 March 2012.
DAFF has completed a draft review of the policy for the import of zoo perissodactyls. The review takes into account current scientific information, international standards developed by the World Organisation for Animal Health, as well as policies adopted by other countries for the import of zoo perissodactyls.
DAFF allowed the import of zoo perissodactyls from approved countries until the equine influenza outbreak in 2007. The outbreak resulted in the suspension of the import of horses and related species, including zoo perissodactyls. The final Import risk analysis report for horses from approved countries was released in March 2010.
This draft policy review has identified and categorised hazards of biosecurity concern associated with the importation of zoo perissodactyls. A review of disease agents has been undertaken as required.
The review proposes that:
- the import of zoo perissodactyls recommence
- importation be subject to issuance of an import permit by DAFF Biosecurity stipulating the conditions that must be met by the exporting country
- importation be restricted to animals from approved countries only
- imported animals must be accompanied by the import permit and health certification
- imported animals must undergo a period of post-arrival quarantine and testing (if required).
The Department invites comments on the technical aspects of the proposed biosecurity measures associated with the importation of zoo perissodactyls. In particular, comments are sought on their appropriateness and any other measures that stakeholders consider would provide equivalent risk management outcomes.
Comments on the draft report should be submitted by 16 March 2012 to:
Animal Biosecurity
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone: +61 2 6272 4465
Facsimile: +61 2 6272 3399
Email:
Animal Biosecurity
The draft report is available via the Department’s website.
All submissions received on the draft report will be carefully considered by Animal Biosecurity in finalising the review of existing policy.
Please pass this notice to other interested parties. If those parties wish to be included in future communications on this matter they should contact Animal Biosecurity.
Confidentiality
Stakeholders are advised that, subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Privacy Act 1988, all submissions received in response to Biosecurity Advices will be publicly available and may be listed or referred to in any papers or reports prepared on the subject matter.
The Commonwealth reserves the right to reveal the identity of a respondent unless a request for anonymity accompanies the submission. Where a request for anonymity does not accompany the submission the respondent will be taken to have consented to the disclosure of his or her identity for the purposes of Information Privacy Principle 11 of the Privacy Act. The contents of the submission will only be treated as confidential if they are marked ‘confidential’ and they can be classified as such in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act.
Andrew Cupit
A/g Assistant Secretary
Animal Biosecurity