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Trade Facilitation Unit - Equine Products

The Bahamas currently has conditions to allow the importation of equine and equine products from various countries. Having conducted an import risk analysis (IRA) that considers quarantine risks that may be associated with the importation to The Bahamas of equine and equine products from any country, the IRA recommends that the importation of equine and equine products to The Bahamas could be permitted subject to compliance with Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures to manage the quarantine risks of a range of significant diseases to a very low level, in line with WOAH guidelines. The IRA assessed all potential disease agents that may be introduced to The Bahamas via the importation of equine and equine products and SPS measures. These diseases include African horse sickness virus, Taylorella equigenitalis (Contagious equine metritis), Dourine, Equine encephalomyelitis (Eastern and Western), Equine infectious anaemia, Equine influenza virus, Theileriaequi and Babesiacaballi (Equine piroplasmosis), Equid herpesvirus-1 (Equine rhinopneumonitis), Equine arteritis virus, Burkholderia mallei (Glanders), and Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis.

Based on this risk assessment The Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority (BAHFSA) has developed conditions of import for equine and equine product consignments.

They are outlined below. All consignments of equine and equine products must:

  1. Meet the labelling requirements prescribed in Section 23 of the Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority (BAHFSA), Food Safety and Quality Act (2016) in Appendix 1
  2. Meet the import conditions for equine and equine products in Appendix 2

APPENDIX 1

Labelling and advertising

  1. No person shall offer for sale in The Bahamas any package of food unless the label thereon—
    1. is written in English;
    2. specifies the product name;
    3. specifies the date of manufacture and expiration;
    4. permits the traceability of the food as prescribed in regulations; and
    5. sets out such particulars as may be prescribed in regulations.
  2. Where food that is not packaged is displayed for sale, it shall bear an identification mark.
  3. The Director shall prescribe requirements for food advertising in accordance with applicable legislation.
  4. Any foods not in compliance with the requirements under this section shall be confiscated by the Director.
  5. Any person selling food in contravention of this section commits an offence and shall be liable to a fixed penalty as prescribed by regulations.

APPENDIX 2

Conditions for importation of Equine and Equine products

  1. If a country, zone, or compartment that is African horse sickness (AHS) free according to official World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) records, wishes to export: a. equids, an international veterinary certificate is required and must attest that the animals:
    1. showed no clinical sign of AHS on the day of shipment;
    2. have not been vaccinated against AHS within the last 40 days;
    3. were kept in an AHS free country or zone since birth or for at least 40 days prior to shipment;
    4. either:
      1. did not transit through an infected zone during transportation to the place of shipment; or
      2. were protected from Culicoides attacks at all times when transiting through an infected zone.
  2. If a country, zone, or compartment infected with AHS (according to WOAH), wishes to export:
    1. equids, an international veterinary certificate is required and must attest that the animals:
      1. showed no clinical sign of AHS on the day of shipment;
      2. have not been vaccinated against AHS within the last 40 days;
      3. were held in isolation in a vector-protected establishment:
        1. for a period of at least 28 days and a serological test to detect
          antibodies against the AHSV group, was carried out with a
          negative result on a blood sample collected at least 28 days after
          introduction into the vector-protected establishment; or
        2. for a period of at least 40 days and serological tests to detect
          antibodies against AHSV were carried out with no significant
          increase in antibody titre on blood samples collected on two
          occasions, with an interval of not less than 21 days, the first sample being collected at least 7 days after introduction into the vector
          protected establishment; or
          1. for a period of at least 14 days and an agent identification test was
            carried out with a negative result on a blood sample collected not
            less than 14 days after introduction into the vector-protected
            establishment; or
          2. for a period of at least 40 days and were vaccinated, at least 40
            days before shipment, against all serotypes whose presence in the
            source population has been demonstrated through a surveillance
            programme in accordance with Articles 12.1.12. and 12.1.13. of
            the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code, and were identified in
            the accompanying certification as having been vaccinated;
      4. were protected from Culicoides attacks at all times during transportation (including transportation to and at the place of shipment).;
  3. If a country, zone, or compartment wishes to export:
    1. stallions or mares, an international veterinary certificate is required and must attest that:
      1. the mares showed no clinical sign of infection with T. equigenitalis on the day of shipment; AND
      2. horses have been:
        1. kept since birth or for at least two years prior to shipment in a herd that has been free from infection with T. equigenitalis;
        2. OR
          1. kept for at least the last 60 days in a herd in which no case
            has been reported during that period; AND
          2. subjected to tests for the detection of the agent, with
            negative results, carried out on samples collected on three
            occasions within a 12-day period, with an interval of no
            less than three days between sample collections, the last
            one being carried out within 30 days prior to shipment.
            Horses have not been treated with antibiotics for at least 7
            days nor subjected to antiseptic washing of genital mucous
            membranes for at least 21 days prior to the first sample
            collection and have not been mated or inseminated after the
            first sampling.
    2. on a temporary basis stallions or mares that do not comply with recommendations in Article 12.2.4. of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code for purposes other than breeding and rearing, The Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority (BAHFSA) requires:
      1. the horses be accompanied by a passport in accordance with the model contained in Chapter 5.12. of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code or be individually identified as belonging to a high health status
        subpopulation as defined in Chapter 4.17. of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code;
      2. the presentation of an international veterinary certificate attesting that the mares showed no clinical sign of infection with T. equigenitalis on the day of shipment;
      3. the duration of the temporary importation period, the destination after this period, and the conditions required to leave the country or zone be defined;
      4. that during their stay in the country or zone, the horses:
        1. are not used for breeding (including artificial insemination, semen collection, use as teasers) and do not have any sexual contact with other horses;
        2. are not subjected to any practice that may represent a risk of
          transmission of infection with T. equigenitalis;
        3. are kept and transported individually in stalls and vehicles/vessels which are subsequently cleaned and disinfected before re-use.
    3. semen from stallions, an international veterinary certificate is required and must attest that:
      1. semen was collected in an approved centre and collection, processing and storing were done in accordance with Chapter 4.6. of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code; and
        EITHER
      2. the donor stallion was kept in a herd free from infection with T. equigenitalis;
      3. OR
        1. the donor stallion was kept for at least 60 days prior to semen collection in a herd in which no case has been reported during that period; and
        2. the donor stallion was subjected to tests for the detection of the agent, with negative results, carried out on samples collected on three occasions, within a 12-day period with an interval of no less than three days between sample collections, the last one being carried out within 30 days prior to shipment. Horses have not been treated with antibiotics for at least 7 days nor subjected to antiseptic washing of genital mucous membranes for at least 21 days prior to the first sample collection, and have not been mated or inseminated after the first sampling; OR
      4. aliquots of fresh semen were subjected to culture and a test for detection of nucleic acid of T. equigenitalis with negative results, carried out immediately prior to processing and on an aliquot of semen collected within 15-30 days after the first collection of the semen to be exported; OR
      5. aliquots of stored semen corresponding to the oldest and the most recent collection were subjected to culture and a test for detection of nucleic acid for T. equigenitalis with negative results.
    4. oocytes or embryos of horses, an international veterinary certificate is required and must attest that:
      1. the oocytes and embryos were collected, processed and stored in approved centres following the general provisions in accordance with Chapters 4.8., 4.9. and 4.10. of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code;
      2. the donor mare showed no clinical signs of infection with T. equigenitalis on the day of collection; AND
      3. for the importation of embryos, the semen used for embryo production complied with Article 12.2.6. and Chapters 4.6. and 4.7. of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code.
    5. equine semen, an international veterinary certificate is required and must attest that the donor animals:
      1. showed no clinical sign of AHS on the day of collection of the semen and for the following 40 days;
      2. had not been immunized against AHS with a live attenuated vaccine within 40 days prior to the day of collection;
      3. were either:
        1. kept in an AHS free country or zone for at least 40 days before commencement of, and during collection of the semen; or
        2. kept in an AHS free vector-protected artificial insemination centre throughout the collection period, and subjected to either:
          1. a serological test to detect antibodies against the African horse sickness virus (AHSV) group, carried out with a negative result on a blood sample collected at least 28 days and not more than 90 days after the last collection of semen; or
          2. agent identification tests carried out with negative results on blood samples collected at commencement and
            conclusion of, and at least every seven days, during semen
            collection for this consignment.
      4. were kept for the 28 days prior to semen collection in an establishment where no equid has shown any clinical sign of equine viral arteritis (EVA) during that period and showed no clinical sign of EVA on the day of semen collection; and
        1. were subjected between six and nine months of age to a test for EVA: EITHER:
          1. with a negative result,
            OR
          2. with a positive result, followed at least 14 days later by a second test showing a stable or decreasing titre; and were immediately vaccinated against EVA and regularly revaccinated in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer; or
        2. were isolated and not earlier than 7 days of commencing isolation were subjected to a test for EVA on a blood sample with a negative result, immediately vaccinated for EVA, kept for 21 days
          following vaccination separated from other equids and regularly revaccinated in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer; or
        3. were subjected to a test for EVA on a blood sample with a negative result within 14 days prior to semen collection, and had been separated from other equids not of an equivalent EVA status for 14 days prior to blood sampling until the end of semen collection; or
        4. have been subjected to a test for EVA carried out on a blood sample with a positive result and then: either
          1. were subsequently test mated to two mares within six
            months prior to semen collection, which were subjected to two tests for EVA with negative results on blood samples collected at the time of test mating and again 28 days after the test mating; or
          2. were subjected to a test for EVA with a negative result, carried out on semen collected within six months prior to collection of the semen to be exported; or
          3. were subjected to a test for EVA with a negative result, carried out on semen collected within six months after the blood sample was collected, then immediately vaccinated, and regularly revaccinated; or
        5. for frozen semen, were subjected with negative results either:
          1. to a test for EVA carried out on a blood sample taken not earlier than 14 days and not later than 12 months after the collection of the semen for export; or
          2. to a test for EVA carried out on an aliquot of the semen collected immediately prior to processing or on an aliquot of semen collected within 14 to 30 days after the first collection of the semen to be exported.
      5. on the day of collection:
        1. showed no clinical signs of infection with B. mallei;
        2. were examined clinically for signs of orchitis and cutaneous lesions on the penis or other parts of the body, with negative
          results;
      6. the semen was collected, processed and stored in accordance with the relevant recommendations in Chapter 4.6. of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code.
    6. in vivo derived equine oocytes or embryos, an international veterinary certificate is required and must attest that:
      1. the donor animals:
        1. showed no clinical sign of AHS on the day of collection of the oocytes or embryos and for the following 40 days;
        2. had not been immunised against AHS with a live attenuated vaccine within 40 days prior to the day of collection;
        3. were either:
          1. kept in an AHS free country or zone for at least 40 days before commencement of, and during collection of the oocytes or embryos, or
          2. kept in an AHS free vector-protected collection centre throughout the collection period, and subjected to either:
            1. a serological test to detect antibodies against the AHSV group carried out with a negative result on a blood sample collected at least 28 days and not more than 90 days after the last collection of oocytes or embryos; or
            2. agent identification tests carried out with negative results on blood samples collected at commencement and conclusion of, and at least every seven days during oocytes or embryos collection for this consignment;
        4. showed no clinical sign of EVA on the day of embryo collection; and EITHER
          1. were kept in an establishment where no animals have shown any signs of EVA for the 28 days prior to collection; and
            1. were subjected to a test for EVA carried out on blood samples collected either once within 21 days prior to collection with negative results, or on two occasions at least 14 days apart within 28 days prior to collection, which demonstrated stable or declining antibody titres; or
            2. were regularly vaccinated in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer;
        5. OR
          1. were isolated for the 28 days prior to collection and during this period the animals showed no sign of EVA;
        6. AND
          1. semen used to fertilise the oocytes complies with the requirements in Article 12.9.4.
      2. the embryos were collected, processed and stored in accordance with Chapters 4.8. and 4.10. of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code, as relevant;
      3. the semen used to fertilise the oocytes complies at least with the requirements in Article 12.1.8. of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code
      4. the donor females showed no clinical signs of infection with B. mallei on the day of collection;
      5. the embryos were collected, processed and stored in accordance with the relevant recommendations in Chapters 4.8. and 4.10. of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code;
      6. the semen used for embryo production complies with Article 12.10.6. of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code
    7. equines, an international veterinary certificate is required and must attest that the animals:
      1. showed no clinical sign of equine encephalomyelitis on the day of shipment and during the three months prior to shipment;
      2. were kept for the three months prior to shipment in an establishment where no case of equine encephalomyelitis was officially reported during that period; or
      3. were kept in a quarantine station for the 21 days prior to shipment and were protected from insect vectors during quarantine and transportation to the place of shipment; or
      4. were vaccinated not less than 15 days and not more than one year prior to shipment.
      5. the animals showed no clinical sign of equine infectious anaemia (EIA) on the day of shipment and during the 48 hours prior to shipment; and vi. no case of EIA has been associated with any premises where the animals were kept during the three months prior to shipment; and
      6. if imported on a permanent basis, the animals were subjected to a diagnostic test for EIA with negative results on blood samples collected during the 30 days prior to shipment; or
      7. if imported on a temporary basis, the animals were subjected to a diagnostic test for EIA with negative results on blood samples collected during the 90 days prior to shipment. \
    8. domestic and captive wild equids for immediate slaughter, an international veterinary certificate is required and must attest that the domestic and captive wild equids showed no clinical sign of equine influenza (EI) on the day of shipment.
    9. domestic and captive wild equids, an international veterinary certificate is required and must attest that the domestic and captive wild equids:
      1. came from an EI free country, zone or compartment in which they had been resident for at least 14 days; in the case of vaccinated equids, information on their vaccination status should be included in the veterinary certificate;
        OR
      2. 1. were subjected to pre-export isolation for 14 days and showed no clinical sign of EI during isolation nor on the day of shipment; and 2. were vaccinated in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer with a vaccine complying with the standards described in the Terrestrial Manual and considered effective against the epidemiologically relevant virus strains, in accordance with one of the following procedures:
        1. between 14 and 90 days before shipment with either a primary course or a booster; or
        2. between 14 and 180 days before shipment, if they are older than four years of age, having received up to the date of this pre-shipment vaccination, at least four doses of vaccine at intervals not greater than 180 days.
    10. temporary importation of horses that do not comply with the recommendations in Article 12.6.7. of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code, the horse must be accompanied by a passport in accordance with the model contained in Chapter 5.12. of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code or be individually identified as belonging to a high health status subpopulation as defined in Chapter 4.17 of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Furthermore, an international veterinary certificate is required and must attest that the horses:
      1. came from a country, zone or compartment free from EI, in which they had been resident for at least 14 days; in the case of vaccinated horses, information on their vaccination status should be included in the
        veterinary certificate;
        OR
        ii. showed no clinical sign of EI in any premises in which the horses had been resident for the 14 days prior to shipment nor on the day of shipment; and
        iii. were vaccinated with a vaccine complying with the standards described in the Terrestrial Manual; information on their vaccination status should be included in the veterinary certificate or the passport in accordance with Chapter 5.12. of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code;
    11. equids, an international veterinary certificate is required and must attest that:
      1. the animals showed no clinical signs of infection with Theileria equi (T. equi) or Babesia caballi (B. caballi) on the day of shipment, and
      2. EITHER
        1. the animals were kept in a country or zone free from infection with T. equi and B. caballi since birth; OR
          1. were subjected to serological and agent identification tests with molecular techniques for the detection of T. equi and B. caballi with negative results carried out on a blood sample taken within the 14 days prior to shipment; and
          2. were maintained free from competent ticks in accordance with Article 12.7.7. of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code and not subjected to any practice that may present a risk of iatrogenic transmission of infection with T. equi or B. caballi during the 30 days prior to sampling and after sampling until shipment; and
          3. have not been treated with antiparasitic drugs capable of masking an infection with T. equi and B. caballi, for at least six months prior to sampling.
      3. showed no clinical sign of Equine rhinopneumonitis / equid herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) infection on the day of shipment;
      4. were kept for the 21 days prior to shipment in an establishment where no case of EHV-1 infection was reported during that period.
    12. temporary importation of horses that do not comply with the recommendations in Article 12.7.5. of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code, the horse must be accompanied by a passport in accordance with the model contained in Chapter 5.12. of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code or be individually identified as belonging to a high health status subpopulation as defined in Chapter 4.17 of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Furthermore, an international veterinary certificate is required and must attest that the horses:
      1. showed no clinical sign of infection with T. equi or B. caballi on the day of shipment;
      2. were maintained free from ticks in accordance with Article 12.7.7. of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code during the 30 days prior to shipment and during transport;
      3. that the duration of the temporary importation period and the destination after this period, as well as the conditions required to leave the country or zone, be defined;
    13. uncastrated male equids, an international veterinary certificate is required and must attest that the animals showed no clinical sign of EVA on the day of shipment and during the 28 days prior to shipment and met one of the following requirements:
      1. were isolated for the 28 days prior to shipment and were subjected to a test for EVA carried out on a single blood sample collected during the 21 days prior to shipment with a negative result; or
      2. were subjected between six and nine months of age to a test for EVA: EITHER:
        1. with a negative result, OR
        2. with a positive result, followed at least 14 days later by a second test showing a stable or decreasing titre; and were immediately vaccinated against EVA and regularly revaccinated in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer; or
      3. met the following requirements:
        1. were isolated; and
        2. not earlier than seven days of commencing isolation were subjected to a test for EVA on a blood sample with a negative result; and
        3. were then immediately vaccinated; and
        4. were kept separated from other equids for 21 days following vaccination; and
        5. were regularly revaccinated in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer; or
      4. have been subjected to a test for EVA carried out on a blood sample with a positive result and then: either
        1. were subsequently test mated to two mares within six months prior to shipment which were subjected to two tests for EVA with negative results on blood samples collected at the time of test mating and again 28 days after the mating; or
        2. were subjected to a test for EVA with a negative result, carried out on semen collected during the six months prior to shipment; or
        3. were subjected to a test for EVA with a negative result, carried out on semen collected within six months after the blood sample was tested, then immediately vaccinated, and regularly revaccinated in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer.
    14. equids other than uncastrated males, an international veterinary certificate is required and must attest that the animals showed no clinical sign of EVA on the day of shipment; and EITHER
      1. were kept in an establishment where no animals have shown any signs of EVA for the 28 days prior to shipment; and
        1. were subjected to a test for EVA carried out on blood samples collected either once within 21 days prior to shipment with a negative result, or on two occasions at least 14 days apart within 28 days prior to shipment, which demonstrated stable or declining antibody titres; or
        2. were regularly vaccinated in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer;
      2. OR were isolated for the 28 days prior to shipment and during this period the animals showed no sign of EVA.
  4. If a country, zone, or compartment free of dourine for the past six months (according to WOAH) wishes to export:
    1. equines, an international veterinary certificate is required and must attest that the animals:
      1. showed no clinical sign of dourine on the day of shipment;
      2. were kept since birth, or for the six months prior to shipment, in a country which has been free from dourine for not less than the past six months. b. semen of equines, an international veterinary certificate is required and must attest that the donor animals were kept since birth, or for the six months prior to collection of the semen, in a country which has been free from dourine for not less than the past six months.
  5. If a country, zone, or compartment infected with dourine (according to WOAH) wishes to export:
    1. equines, an international veterinary certificate is required and must attest that the animals:
      1. showed no clinical sign of dourine on the day of shipment;
      2. were kept for the six months prior to shipment in an establishment where no case of dourine was officially reported during that period;
      3. were subjected to a diagnostic test for dourine with negative results during the 15 days prior to shipment.
    2. semen of equines, an international veterinary certificate is required and must attest that:
      1. the donor animals:
        1. were kept for the six months prior to collection of the semen in an
          establishment or artificial insemination centre where no case of
          dourine was reported during that period;
        2. were subjected to a diagnostic test for dourine with negative
          results;
      2. the microscopic examination of the semen for dourine was negative.
  6. If a country, zone, or compartment free of Burkholderia mallei/Glanders (B. mallei) (according to WOAH) wishes to export:
    1. equids, an international veterinary certificate is required and must attest that the equid:
      1. showed no clinical signs of infection with B. mallei on the day of
        shipment;
      2. either:
        1. was kept for six months prior to shipment, or since birth, in a
          country or zone or countries or zones free from infection with B.
          mallei; or
        2. if kept at any time in the past six months in a country or zone not
          free from infection with B. mallei, was imported in accordance
          with Article 12.10.5. into a country or zone free from infection
          with B. mallei.
  7. If a country, zone, or compartment not free of Burkholderia mallei/Glanders (B. mallei) (according to WOAH) wishes to export:
    1. equids, an international veterinary certificate is required and must attest that the equid:
      1. showed no clinical signs of infection with B. mallei on the day of shipment;
      2. was kept for six months prior to shipment, or since birth, in an establishment where no case of infection with B. mallei was reported during the 12 months prior to shipment;
      3. was isolated for at least 30 days prior to shipment, and during that time was subjected to a test for infection with B. mallei with negative result carried out on two samples taken 21 to 30 days apart.
  8. If a country, zone, or compartment free of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) (according to WOAH) wishes to export:
    1. domestic and wild equines, an international veterinary certificate is required and must attest that the animals:
      1. showed no clinical sign of VEE on the day of shipment;
      2. have not, during the past six months, been in any country in which VEE has occurred in the last two years;
      3. have not been vaccinated against VEE within 60 days prior to shipment.
  9. If a country, zone, or compartment not free of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) (according to WOAH) wishes to export:
    1. domestic and wild equines, an international veterinary certificate is required and must attest that:
      1. vaccinated animals:
        1. were vaccinated against VEE not less than 60 days prior to shipment and were clearly identified with a permanent mark at the time of vaccination;
        2. were kept in a quarantine station in the country of origin under official veterinary supervision for three weeks prior to shipment and remained clinically healthy during that period; any animal which showed a rise in temperature (taken daily) was subjected to a blood test for virus isolation, with negative results;
        3. were protected from insect vectors during transportation to and from the quarantine station and during the quarantine period;
        4. showed no clinical sign of VEE on the day of shipment;
      2. unvaccinated animals:
        1. were kept in a quarantine station in the country of origin under official veterinary supervision for three weeks prior to shipment and remained clinically healthy during that period; any animal which showed a rise in temperature (taken daily) was subjected to a blood test for virus isolation, with negative results;
        2. were subjected to a diagnostic test for VEE with negative results conducted not less than 14 days after the commencement of quarantine;
        3. were protected from insect vectors during transportation to and from the quarantine station and during the quarantine period; showed no clinical sign of VEE on the day of shipment.