Quebec Equine ...On-Line News: Import Restrictions Announced for Horses from Florida Entering Canada

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Import Restrictions Announced for Horses from Florida Entering Canada

October 28, 2008

Ottawa, ON—The Breeds & Industry Division of Equine Canada would like to inform all stakeholders of the Canadian horse industry that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has imposed import restrictions on horses from Florida entering Canada due to a 2008 outbreak of equine piroplasmosis in the state of Florida.

Effective immediately the following conditions for horses from Florida for all end-uses, other than Canadian horses returning to Canada, will require an import permit. A veterinarian must inspect the horse(s) within 15 days preceding the date of importation.

The horse(s) must be certified for equine piroplasmosis as follows

o the horse(s) have not been on a premises where equine piroplasmosis (clinical or serology) has occurred during the 60 days immediately preceding exportation to Canada, nor has this disease occurred on any adjoining premises during the same period of time, and

o they must have tested negative using a cELISA test or, where applicable, an alternate test acceptable to CFIA for equine piroplasmosis, during the fifteen (15) days prior to the date of importation into Canada.

For horses for all end-uses from states other than Florida, the following requirements will apply

o during the previous twenty-one (21) days, the animal(s) in this shipment has/have not been in the state of Florida.

All the above-mentioned conditions, except for the import permit, will be certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDF).

In order to apply for an import permit, Canadian importers will have to contact one of the following CFIA area offices:

For the Atlantics

Dr. Allan McLean

Animal Health Staff Veterinarian

Atlantic Area

Telephone: (506) 851-7871

Fax: (506) 851-3700

Internet: mcleanaw@inspection.gc.ca

For Québec

Dr. Alain Lajoie

Program Specialist— Importation

Program Network—Quebec

Telephone: (514) 283-3815 (4210)

Fax: (514) 283-6214

Internet: lajoiea@inspection.gc.ca

For Ontario

Dr. Susan Wray

Program Specialist—Import

Program Network—Ontario

Telephone: (519) 826-2810

Fax: (519) 837-9771

Internet: wrays@inspection.gc.ca

For the West

Dr Gary Kruger

Veterinary Program Specialist

Program Network—West

Telephone: (403) 292-5825

Fax: (403) 292-6629

Internet: krugerg@inspection.gc.ca

Current import requirements for horses entering Canada may be found using the CFIA Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) at http://airs-sari.inspection.gc.ca. To determine specific import requirements for each horse, specific parameters that refer to each horse’s circumstances will need to be entered and customized import requirements will be provided.

About Equine Canada Breeds & Industry Division

Equine Canada Breeds & Industry Division provides a structure for the more than 40 breed organizations operating in Canada to unite as a coalition under the national federation of Equine Canada. It provides a forum from which to seek and exchange information between Equine Canada, Canadian stakeholders, the Government of Canada and foreign entities. The Breeds & Industry Division works to promote and assist a vibrant equine industry and to affect policy in Canada. Breed organizations and industry partners share resources and expertise with unity of purpose to increase the long-term profitability of Canada's equine sector and ensure its future viability. Visit www.equinecanada.ca for complete information about the Equine Canada Breeds & Industry Division.

About Equine Canada

Equine Canada is a member-based association that represents, promotes and services Canada's equine community and industry. Its core areas of activity involve sport, equine health and welfare, education and safety, governance and marketing, representation and communication. Equine Canada is recognized by Sport Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Coaching Association of Canada as the national organization representing equestrian sport and equine interests in Canada. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca.

Visit www.equinecanada.ca for more information.

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