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The Challenges of Importing into the Anzac Region

Dr. Ann McDonald is the National Manager of the Animal Quarantine Branch of the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS).  She is responsible for managing the biosecurity risks associated with the import of live animals and genetic material, prior to, and at, the point of entry into Australia. Animal welfare has also become a focus of live animals imports (and exports) in recent years. She has previously been the General Manager of the Biosecurity Development and Communications Branch of Biosecurity Australia where she was responsible for biosecurity policy, such as the import risk analysis reform process; publications and media; corporate matters; and financial and human resource management. 

Dr. McDonald also held the position of senior adviser on technical matters to the former Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon Peter McGauran MP, advising on quarantine, biosecurity, animal health and welfare, plant pests and diseases and agricultural chemicals for approximately 15 months.

Prior to this, Dr. McDonald worked for AQIS for approximately 10 years in both its import and export areas, was an officer of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority for approximately 1 year and spent 12 years in private veterinary practice in rural NSW. 

Dr. McDonald owns and runs sheep grazing properties in NSW with her husband.

Qualifications:

? BVSc (Hons) – Sydney University 1981

? Diploma of Education (Science and Agriculture) 1985

? MACVS (Pharmacology Chapter) 1995

?  MBA (Public Administration) – Charles Sturt University 2000

? Currently studying double masters in International Relations and Trade and  Commerce Law

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“Government Regulation

 of the Trade: An Inside
 Look At The Purpose

 of AQIS and Regulations”

Dr. Ann McDONALD   

National Manager, Animal Quarantine

Australian Quarantine and  Inspection Service

Both industry and government have roles in addressing biosecurity risks and animal welfare concerns during the international transport of live animals. Where the travel distances between countries are great, there are particular challenges in managing both the associated biosecurity risks and animal welfare concerns. It is critical that governments and industries work closely together to develop and implement appropriate risk management procedures for live animal transport.

The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) is the Australian Government body responsible for ensuring that the biosecurity risks associated with imported animals are reduced to a level consistent with Australia’s Appropriate Level of Protection. In accordance with our obligations as World Trade Organisation members, Australia’s import policies are based on scientific risk assessments for live animal and other imports. All imports of live animals into Australia require the prospective importer to obtain an import permit from AQIS, prior to the import occurring. Import conditions are detailed on the import permit and may include the requirement for compliance with certain procedures prior to export, at the time of arrival in Australia, or post arrival in Australia. Import permits are underpinned by the Quarantine Act 1908.

Most live animals are imported into Australia by air. In some cases, Australia’s import conditions may include requirements to address biosecurity risks associated with transport. For example, where animals are required to undergo pre-export isolation prior to import into Australia, transport arrangements from the isolation facility to the port of departure, and then while on board the aircraft, must ensure that the health status of the animal remains the same as when it left the isolation facility. However in all cases, import conditions require animal welfare concerns to be addressed. Animal welfare is becoming increasingly important for any activities associated with animals, and the transport of animals is no exception.

In addition to its role with imports, AQIS is the Australian Government body responsible for certifying that live animals exported from Australia meet importing country’s quarantine requirements. Both AQIS and the live animal export industry are aware of the increasing interest in animal welfare issues associated with live animal exports. Work is ongoing to improve our understanding of these issues during transport and to amend our transport standards accordingly. AQIS also insists upon full compliance with the relevant International Air Transport Association requirements for animals transported to and from Australia.

PowerPoint Presentation

Sally AITKEN

Senior Adviser

Animal Imports & Exports Group

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand

Pastoral House

25 The Terrace

PO Box 2526

Wellington, New Zealand

Tel:+64 4 894 0113

Fax +64 4 894 0773

Sally.Aitken@maf.govt.nz

Sally is currently a Senior Adviser with the Animal Imports & Exports Group at MAF Biosecurity New Zealand.  Sally has worked at MAF for 7 years and most of her experience has been dealing with the operational issues around animal imports.

Sally is now responsible for developing standards for animals once they’ve arrived in New Zealand, including working on a standard for the inspection of animals at the border.

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“Risk Management

 and the New Zealand

 Experience”

Sally AITKEN

Senior Advisor

Animal Imports & Exports Group

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand is the division of MAF charged with leadership of the New Zealand biosecurity system. It includes facilitating international trade, protecting the health of New Zealanders and ensuring the welfare of our environment, flora and fauna, marine life and Maori resources.

As an organisation, one of our key outcomes is to prevent harmful organisms crossing New Zealand’s borders and establishing, while ensuring trade and tourism are maintained. This is a challenge but one that can be met through robust risk analyses, import health standards, strong stakeholder relationships and an effective clearance process.

The trade and movement of live animals presents its own challenges. This presentation will provide an overview of the import process, what animals are imported into New Zealand, the challenge of managing risks at the border and emerging work in the border space including:

•   Places of first arrival approvals in relation to ports receiving live
    animals

•   Dog and cat risk analysis work that will result in possible changes to  
    import conditions

•   Livestock risk analysis work that will result in up and coming review
    to import requirements of cattle, sheep and semen/embryos

  PowerPoint Presentation