Import laws & regulations & cattle?

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I just recently found that someone on Australia (wannawin mini galloways) has developed the mini Galloway (both solid colors & black belties). This is something I have been thinking about developing myself (in future). I've noticed that black & black belties are most common here but, I prefer dun or red (both solid & belted). This mini Galloway from Australia (several colors), if it can be registered with a standard Galloway registry, will help me develope the mini color types I'm looking for. Also since these (dun & red both solid & belted) color types I like most are rare here, they tend to be inbreed more then others. I'm thinking that some new blood from another country will keep the breed hardy (some people seem to be getting Galloway cattle that just aren't as good at keeping fat on grass as they use to be, so I want to get away from inbreeding).

Now for the question. Does anyone know what the US laws require for the importation of cattle, semon, or embryos spacifically from Australia? What restrictions are there? How about quarintines, & any possible testing (for anything)? I've never bought anything (liveing or not) from outside the lower 48 states. Is there anyone out there with experience in importing livestock (semon, or embryos)? Is there a web site that will answer my questions (if not answered here)?

Thanks for any help.

animalfarms (central IN)

-- animalfarms (jawjlewis@netzero.net), January 07, 2002

Answers

During the 50's 60's and70's Iwas the vet for a livestock farm that imported several cattle from Scotland and that was before MAD COW disease and the least possible time was a six month quarantine in Canada due to the presence of FOOT and MOUTH DISEASE in other countries.My guess is that it is next to impossible to import an animal now.As far as embryo or semen you consult your vet and he can check with the USDA and find out what the current regulations are. Keith

-- Keith Etheridge (grandpa@chipsnet.com), January 08, 2002.

If you have located the breeder that you want to buy from and have agreed to a price and are ready for the next step, you can do a search on the internet for a "livestock forwarder".

They are sort of like a travel agent, - but for livestock.

They are well versed in the health requirements for importations. Their job is to arrange everything. They are up on the regulations that exist for each country or can get it for you. They will tell you what tests need done and what kind of health papers must accompany them.

When we were shipping sheep to Malaysia, the forwarder was even responsible for setting up the quarantine (in this case, it was a matter of hours) at the airport.

You can even access each country's health requirements for exporting on the USDA site. It will take you a little sifting through the MANY departments of the USDA till you get to the import/export pages.

There are lots and lots of livestock forwarders. Some are not patient with a new importer and can be intimidating. Keep calling until you get one who you feel comfortable with.

homestead2

-- homestead2 (homestead@localnetplus.com), January 08, 2002.


I would contact AHIS for their guidelines. Here's the latest news from Australia...http://sg.biz.yahoo.com/020108/16/29rbf.html

-- matt johnson (wyo_cowboy_us@yahoo.com), January 08, 2002.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/bse/

-- matt johnson (wyo_cowboy_us@yahoo.com), January 08, 2002.

Australia doesn't have BSE. Australia doesn't have scrapie. Australia doesn't have foot and mouth disease. What Australia does have is about the world's most stringent quarantine regulations (and STILL you've given us fire-ants in the last couple of years). There are few or no better places from which to import animals than Australia. However, that's not your problem: your problem is getting whaterver through USA regulations and quarantines. You may be able to get an idea by talking to USDA officials - there's nothing immediately obvious on web sites. However, as a previous poster said, your best course of action is to talk to a specialist importing organisation; and I would guess it might be a whole lot cheaper to import a few straws of semen annually for four or five years than to import one or two animals.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), January 08, 2002.


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