Animal Welfare Information Center Newsletter, Spring 1997, Vol. 8 No. 1

APHIS-Animal Care Update

New From Veterinary Services

Guidelines For Importation #1103
Laboratory Mammals: Mice (includes Transgenic and Knockout Mice), Rats, Hamsters, Gerbils, and Guinea Pigs

Background

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS) imposes no restrictions on the entry of small laboratory mammals that have not been inoculated with or exposed to infectious agents (this includes the bovine and other transmissible spongiform encephalopathy agents) that affect livestock or poultry.

The U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) regulates live laboratory animals and should be contacted for their importation requirements. A USPHS permit or letter of authorization can be obtained by contacting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Health and Safety, 1600 Clifton Road, N.E.M.S. F05, Atlanta, GA., 30333, phone: (404) 639-3883, fax: (404) 639-2294.

USDA, APHIS, Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) regulates the importation of plants and other vegetable matter. If the transport cage contains any vegetable matter, such as potatoes or carrots, the importer must contact PPQ Permit Unit at phone (301) 734-6799 to determine if it can be allowed entry. PROHIBITED VEGETABLE MATTER MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE CAGE AT THE PORT OF ARRIVAL BY A PPQ OFFICER.

Procedures

Each shipment should be accompanied by a health certificate endorsed by a veterinarian or person responsible for the health of the laboratory animals at the facility of origin. The certificate must indicate that the animals (1) are clinically healthy, (2) have not been exposed to or inoculated with any infectious disease agents that affect livestock or poultry, and (3) have not originated from a facility where work with viruses affecting livestock or poultry is conducted.

This certificate should be available to the U.S. port of arrival officials. Please instruct your shippers to provide this information so that it is easily available for the port inspector's review. (Do not put the documents INSIDE the shipping container.) (Revised 02/97)

National Center for Import and Export:
Import/Export Products
4700 River Road Unit 40
Riverdale, MD 20737-1231

This article appeared in the Animal Welfare Information Center Newsletter, Volume 8, Number 1, Spring 1997

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December 12, 1997
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