CEM, and importing European frozen semen into Canada via USA

[imajacres]

As you are probably aware there is a problem with some CEM horses in USA.
how this affects us breeders is as follows.

Staring Jan 26, 2009, there will be NO semen, frozen, fresh or
otherwise, or embryos, allowed to import into Canada without USDA vet
declaration that it is of USA origin.
Of course this impacts those of us who buy European frozen semen through
USA, as in- we wont be able to do so anymore.

Judy Yancey is willing to ship one last shipment up here, to be stored
either in Alberta, or Quebec, leaving TOMORROW, by fedex, to make sure
we still are able to benefit from her rather extensive inventory, which
includes, among others the Schockemohle boys.

SO- she is wondering to get a rough idea of what people would still want
to order, so she has an idea what to send up here. We dont have to pay
by tomorrow, but it would sure help her out to know what we are looking
to buy.

For a list of her stallions, please click here,
http://yancey-farms.com/horse.htm and go to Judy's news, where you can
scroll down to see a list of current inventory.

In the future, for the boys who are out of stock, etc, this is a work in
progress, but rest assured, that if Judy is the sole distributor, she
will make sure we get it to Canada somehow. Just let her know which
stallions you are interested in, and then she can work out a plan B.

Please either get hold of me, or Judy directly.
And please, pass this on, if you know of people that might be interested.
Tomorrow is coming up fast, and the shipment needs to leave then to make
it to Canada in time before Janauary 26.

Thanks very much, and good luck in your breedings, Ingrid

[arizonard]

I was talking to a broker just today about the issues of getting European semen from the US to Canada. Is it DEFINITE that no European-origin semen can get in as of Monday? I am so disappointed! I proposed this could be an issue today with my partner, as I thought there was an outstanding issue with European semen being sent to US and then to Canada as it is.

[Equine Reproduction]

I was talking to a broker just today about the issues of getting European semen from the US to Canada. Is it DEFINITE that no European-origin semen can get in as of Monday? I am so disappointed! I proposed this could be an issue today with my partner, as I thought there was an outstanding issue with European semen being sent to US and then to Canada as it is.

Well, FWIW, European semen that came from Europe to the US and then was exported to Canada was a no no before But, many brokers, because of the lack of restrictions on semen being shipped between the US and Canada in the past, could ship it up with no real issues. However, with the implementation of the new CEM restrictions/requirements, semen collected prior to December 15th 2008 does not require an import permit, but will require a U.S. Health Certificate that declares the date of collection, the identity of the donor stallion and the identity of the collection premises. Obviously, that's going to be a tough nut to crack if the stallion is standing in Europe. I suspect that if one attempts to use the documents that were generated in Europe, because the US is not the originating country for the semen, the product will be turned back at the border, as well.

Hope that helps!

Kathy St.Martin
Equine Reproduction Short Courses
http://www.equine-reproduction.com

[imajacres]

Well the fact is, we have never been allowed to import semen from USA that comes originally from Europe. One of the reasons being, semen slated for Canada from Europe has an extra CEM test done on it, that USA bound semen doesnt need.
But we have always done it, because customs werent as vigilant as they could be.
But now, that is in the past. Because for one thing, there will be only 3 points of entry for semen, there will be physical checking that the semen matches the protocal ( just what we need, some newbie opening up tanks to see what is there, but that is another story), and the fact that now USDA vets will have to certify the semen is of USA origin, and free of CEM contact.

So good plan is to contact your favorite USA broker ASAP, and get them to send your semen tomorrow latest so it gets here by Jan 26 ( when the new rules go into effect).

I will be handling Yancey semen in Canada, and can tell you that Judy will make sure to have tanks importing directly to Canada from Europe if there is enough demand, especially for stallions which she does not have in stock right now, like Ampere, and Diarodo.
Thanks, Ingrid

[TouchstoneAcres]

What are the 3 points of entry? I need to ship to Montreal this spring. I planned on FedEx priority international/next day delivery by noon.

[Dancinglite2]

I thought this was just about some quarter horse stallions. So are we saying it affects a multitude of breeds and stallions ?

[Equine Reproduction]

I thought this was just about some quarter horse stallions. So are we saying it affects a multitude of breeds and stallions ?

Please go to our website and you can read the article on CEM. There are news releases updating the current status and changes in regulations, as well as an entire article on CEM in the articles section of the website. http://www.equine-reproduction.com It most emphatically impacts ALL breeding horses, regardless of breed.

Hope that helps!

Kathy St.Martin
Equine Reproduction Short Courses
http://www.equine-reproduction.com

[Donella]

Wow, what a mess. Just placed my orders for frozen yesterday and looks like I can't change anything now. I guess I will have to hope that the borders will open again prior to June. Anyone know what the likelihood of that might be? Is there a chance that there will be tighter restrictions on frozen semen in the future?

Also, while I did read the article, I am still somewhat confused as to wether or not the import of fresh semen will be possible or not? I am now trying to rethink my breeding plans :o(

[TrueColours]

Kathy / Ingrid

My plans right now are to breed, flush and freeze embryo's from my mare in 2009 and 2010 (and she is in the States right now and will be throughout 2009 and possibly 2010 as well ...). The stallions on the short list right now are Redwine (so he wont be an issue obviously) Balou du Rouet, Coleur Rubin and possibly Alligator Fontaine and then either have them implanted into recip mares in PA and leave the mare there to foal out, or bring the embryo's into Canada and store them here

With the rules coming into effect as we know them today, how will this impact these plans with the remaining 3 stallions?

And what about the foals out the recip mare that are born in the USA? What issues would I have bringing those foals back into Canada once they are of weaning age and ready to move?

Thanks, as always! :)

[Equine Reproduction]

I guess I will have to hope that the borders will open again prior to June. Anyone know what the likelihood of that might be? Is there a chance that there will be tighter restrictions on frozen semen in the future?

I guess I would "never say never", but I would consider it unlikely that the border would be open again by June.

As far as there being tighter restrictions in the future, that would be a completely unknown factor that will be dependent upon the outcome of the current CEM investigation. If you are referencing the practice of the persons that have previously been importing European origin semen into Canada, it is worth considering that there could be no "tighter restriction", as that was already illegal and potentially subjected those parties to fines and penalties. It is also possible that had such a practice been determined to be widespread and present sufficient risk to Canadian animals, that is could have actually shut down the non-restricted passage of horse semen into Canada long before this!

[Equine Reproduction]

With the rules coming into effect as we know them today, how will this impact these plans with the remaining 3 stallions?

And what about the foals out the recip mare that are born in the USA? What issues would I have bringing those foals back into Canada once they are of weaning age and ready to move?

All animals and embryos will be subject to the restrictions we outlined in our news article item on our main page that I previously referenced.

Kathy St.Martin
Equine Reproduction Short Courses
http://www.equine-reproduction.com

[dilligaff2]

I have to thank you Equire R., and Risingstar Farm for being on top of this information. Risingstar emailed me the minute the CEM problem rose it's ugly head and said we should ship my new Cielo B filly into Canada NOW.

She came over the border SUNDAY night. Talk about beating a deadline :).

Thank you so much for all your work on this issue.

Dilli

[Sunnydays]

Here is the exact wording of the new provisions - which are "in addition" to the previous requirement of an Import Permit needed for Florida-sourced horses, and wording on the Health Cert of horses from other states that they have not been in Florida for 21+ days.
1CEM in the U.S.
Import restrictions for horses, and their germplasm


NOTE: For the purpose of clarity in this document only horses are mentioned in the following conditions, however, they apply to all equines: horses, asses, mules and zebras)

FOR LIVE HORSES: (including Canadian horses returning to Canada but excluding horses for immediate slaughter)

Implementation date: January 19, 2009

No import permit required.

The following additional certification will be required on all U.S. export certificates issued after January 19, 2009 and for Canadian horses exported to the U.S. and returning on a Canadian health certificate issued after January 19, 2009:

The horse(s) have not been on a premises where T.equigenitalis has been isolated during the 60 days immediately preceding exportation to Canada or a premises currently under quarantine or investigation for CEM. Any female(s) in the shipment have not been bred naturally to, or inseminated with, semen from a stallion positive for CEM, or a stallion resident upon a positive premises or under quarantine or investigation for CEM.

AND

Showed no clinical signs of CEM on the day of inspection.

NOTE:

For Canadian horses returning to Canada on a Canadian health certificate issued after January 19, 2009, a supplemental certification document with the above mentioned requirements will be provided by the CFIA endorsing office when advised of intended return. The supplemental certification will need to be attached to the Canadian health certificate and endorsed by USDA before return of the horse(s) to Canada.


FOR SEMEN: (frozen and fresh)
(Approximate implementation date: January 26, 2009)

1- For semen collected before December 15, 2008:

No import permit required
U.S. health certificate required


The following certification will be required on the U.S. export certificate:

Date of collection;
Identity of the donor stallion

AND
Identity of the collection premises


2- For semen collected after December 15, 2008:
(Approximate implementation date: January 26, 2009)

Import permit required
U.S. health certificate required.

The following certification will be required on the U.S. health certificate:


The donor stallion(s) have not been on a premises where T.equigenitalis has been isolated during the 60 days immediately preceding collection of the semen for export to Canada or a premises currently under quarantine or investigation for CEM.

The semen was processed using an extender that contains antibiotics effective against T.equigenitalis.

Semen presented for importation into Canada must be in individual receptacles or straws, each marked with the collection date, identity of the donor and the semen collection premises.


FOR EMBRYOS:
(Approximate implementation date: January 26, 2009)

- Import permit required
- U.S. health certificate required.

The following certification will be required on the U.S. health certificate:

The donor mare(s) have not been on a premises where T.equigenitalis has been isolated during the 60 days immediately preceding the collection of the embryo(s) for export to Canada or a premises currently under quarantine or investigation for CEM and have not been bred naturally or inseminated with semen from a stallion positive for CEM, or a stallion resident upon a positive premises or under quarantine or investigation for CEM.

The flushing medium that was used to collect the embryo(s) contains antibiotics effective against T.equigenitalis.

Embryos presented for importation into Canada must be in sterile straws or pipettes, each marked with the collection date, identity of the donor and the embryo collection premises."

Soooo, I can't see how it will be feasible for Cdns to breed to US-based stallions. By the time a Health Cert is issued with the proper language, from A federal vet, the semen it would reference would likely be dead - and would most certainly be dead after the additional overnight transport time to Canada. Moreover, the mare's heat would likely also be ended.
If one were to ship a mare to US to breed there, I think you'd need a new US issued Health Cert to bring her back (takes about 2 weeks - based on one I have in progress in US now). So, the costs of US and Cdn health certs, plus 2 shipping fees to / from USA, plus boarding costs in USA, in addition to regular semen collection, transport and vet fees - getting pricey - and might need to be done 2 or 3 times to get the mare in foal.... not attractive:confused::confused:

[Equine Reproduction]

Soooo, I can't see how it will be feasible for Cdns to breed to US-based stallions. By the time a Health Cert is issued with the proper language, from A federal vet, the semen it would reference would likely be dead - and would most certainly be dead after the additional overnight transport time to Canada. Moreover, the mare's heat would likely also be ended.

Uh...you get the permit prior to shipping (mare owner's responsibility) and all health papers on the stallion prior to shipping. So, everything is already to go. You don't do it at the last minute as the semen is being shipped!!!

While it is a little bit more work and will cost a little more, it isn't any where NEAR as cumbersome as we were afraid it was going to be e.g., testing and quarantining for CEM prior to shipping to Canada. It merely requires a permit which will need to be attained by the mare owner in Canada, and health papers to accompany permit and shipment. Don't make this more than it actually is and add words that aren't there! I truly am thrilled that it's going to be as easy as it is to get semen across the border!

Kathy St.Martin
Equine Reproduction Short Courses
http://www.equine-reproduction.com

[ahf]

Have you spoken with the USDA vet in Oklahoma? And is he/she willing to sign that Health Certificate prior to collection? IF so, that’s great – and it WILL be doable for you. Do you know if EVERY USDA vet is going to do the same?

I can tell you that you are the only person (stallion manager or vet that is) that I have seen or spoken with about this that feels it’s so simple and doable.

I understand there was a meeting at Gluck with quite a few folks last night, including DoAg. Hopefully I get a report that they are feeling as confident as you Kathy that this can happen.

And no, I’m not “trying to make this complicated”. I’m trying to understand exactly how everything will work with US to CAN shipments before contracts are signed, and hopes are elevated.

[Equine Reproduction]

Have you spoken with the USDA vet in Oklahoma? And is he/she willing to sign that Health Certificate prior to collection? IF so, that’s great – and it WILL be doable for you. Do you know if EVERY USDA vet is going to do the same?

I can't speak for certain, but health certificates are generally issued for a 30 day period. You will ALWAYS, regardless of where you are, have some that will resist. ALL the health paper is doing is certifying that the horse was healthy at that point in time! The only glitch we can see is that if they require original papers accompany every shipment. That's where things will get complicated! And, I'm not sure why you think a USDA vet won't sign off prior to collection. They sign off prior to a horse being shipped to Canada, don't they??

I can tell you that you are the only person (stallion manager or vet that is) that I have seen or spoken with about this that feels it’s so simple and doable.

I think whenever we see something like this come down the pike, there's an initial sense of panic. But, while it is certainly going to cause some bumps in the road and will certainly add more work for breeders to do, I definitely don't see it as insurmountable or even that complicated. It will require mare owners on the Canadian side of things to have to plan a bit prior to ordering semen. But, if one plans a bit, I don't think it's going to be anywhere near as problematic as some seem to think. We're also in the process of trying to discover exactly what port of entries will be necessary for semen to pass through in the hopes of preventing further problems.

I understand there was a meeting at Gluck with quite a few folks last night, including DoAg. Hopefully I get a report that they are feeling as confident as you Kathy that this can happen.

I am pretty confident that it will come together without too many problems. The biggest issue I see is that people "do" plan ahead and "do" get the required paperwork prior to collecting and shipping. Our plan is to currently just have health papers pulled "as required". If the stipulation is more frequently than every 30 days, than so be it. We have an on staff veterinarian, so that helps, as well. We had actually started the ball rolling towards getting the facility set up as a quarantine facility as a "just in case" scenario to cover our bases in that direction and are working with a USDA vet for that, as well. Fortunately, the requirements aren't going to be anywhere near that stringent and while we'll be set up for it, it doesn't appear that will be necessary (WHEW!).

And no, I’m not “trying to make this complicated”. I’m trying to understand exactly how everything will work with US to CAN shipments before contracts are signed, and hopes are elevated.

Our understanding, at this time and after having spoken with one of the Federal vets in Canada is that the importation permit will required to be completed and issued PRIOR to semen being shipped and that permit will have to accompany the semen. Health papers will have to accompany the shipment, as well. It is our understanding that those health papers are just like any others that you will be required to have for importing a horse into Canada and will more than likely have the same duration, e.g., usually 30 days!

The big thing they are trying to track, follow and prevent is to insure that the stallion hasn't come from, hasn't been near and hasn't been exposed to any of animals that were at a CEM facility.

So, FWIW, we have calls in to the appropriate experts, are trying to determine entry points, clarify the requirements and so on. We're also trying to determine if copies of the health papers will be sufficient or if a new one will need to be issued for each shipment. If that's the case, we'll just probably have to work with our Canadian breeders to get an estimation of an approximate time they will need semen, have the appropriate health papers issued all at the same time, get them all certified at the same time and basically, just have one ready to go for each shipment. A PIA, but again, not that complicated.

So I guess what I am saying here is that before assuming that it's going to be more complicated than it is, wait for the answers <smile>. Maybe I'm being a Pollyanna here, but I can't tell you what a HUGE sigh of relief we had when we saw what the requirements were going to be. While they aren't entirely simple, they aren't unreasonable either!

It is worthy of note that it has only been in the last ten years or so that there has been non restrictive movement of equine semen into Canada.
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=1044 Prior to that, restrictions similar to these were standard every day procedures. So, having been shipping semen all these years and well prior to the opening of the borders, I guess it's difficult for me to get too panicked about it <smile>. I've done it before.

Hope that helps and really hope it helps to alleviate some of the concerns.

Kathy St.Martin
Equine Reproduction Short Courses
http://www.equine-reproduction.com

[Formosus]

I talked on the phone with a federal vet here in Canada about what I need to do as a mare owner and importer of fresh semen and I'm with Kathy.

It's a bit more paper work on my end and just a little bit more work on the stallion end getting that health paper every 30 or so days. The stallion owners I'm dealing with have already assure me that the collection center they work with are looking into getting everything ready and done so that shipment can be sent.

I've imported many horses from the US and it basically the same song and dance.

It's too bad the new restrictions are in place since it was soooo simple without them but it won't change my choice in stallions if they stay as they are right now.

If it is too much for some people and in some part of Canada it might be then thankfully we have wonderfull stallions on this side of the border too;)

[Sunnydays]

Uh...you get the permit prior to shipping (mare owner's responsibility) and all health papers on the stallion prior to shipping. So, everything is already to go. You don't do it at the last minute as the semen is being shipped!!!

While it is a little bit more work and will cost a little more, it isn't any where NEAR as cumbersome as we were afraid it was going to be e.g., testing and quarantining for CEM prior to shipping to Canada. It merely requires a permit which will need to be attained by the mare owner in Canada, and health papers to accompany permit and shipment. Don't make this more than it actually is and add words that aren't there! I truly am thrilled that it's going to be as easy as it is to get semen across the border!

Kathy St.Martin
Equine Reproduction Short Courses
http://www.equine-reproduction.com

The document reads "The donor stallion(s) have not been on a premises where T.equigenitalis has been isolated during the 60 days immediately preceding collection of the semen for export to Canada or a premises currently under quarantine or investigation for CEM." So wouldn't you need to have the Health certificate coincide with the collection date - not be dated in advance of that date??

[Fairview Horse Center]

If I am reading this right, all fresh cooled will need to be shippid with certain antibiotics? What antibiotics are effective for this?