Sheep Industry News November 2021

Accessing Foreign Genetics Is Option for U.S. Producers W hile American sheep producers would rather not see imports of foreign lamb meat into the United States, they could benefit from the import of genet space must be reserved by the importing party. Those importing live breeding sheep are responsible for any costs associated with quarantining live animals at this facility. The lack of quarantine facilities on the West Coast has made it difficult for producers to import live sheep from Australia and New Zealand, as it is a primary access point for trade from those countries.

ics in the form of live sheep, embryos or semen. This is especially true when it comes to developing new breeds, reviving heritage breeds or when looking to introduce favorable traits into their flocks. The importation of sheep (live, embryos and semen) is often perceived as a daunting undertaking as there are many proto cols involved in the importation process to safeguard domestic agriculture. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has implemented these process es to prevent the introduction of a foreign animal disease that could be devastating to the American sheep industry, as well as native wildlife. USDA/APHIS does not allow import of live sheep, embryos or semen from some countries due to the animal health situa tion in the country or region of origin. Before importing live sheep, embryos or semen, producers should review the import process which includes guidelines and regulations, permits and certifications, and associated user fees on the USDA/APHIS website Import: Bring Live Animals Into the United States. It is also recommended that producers check any specific laws or regulations for importing sheep and germplasm into their state on the USDA/APHIS website State Regulations for Importing Animals . The next step is to apply for a live animal import permit, which can be submitted online through ePermits (this requires a USDA eAuthentication account). Once an application is ap proved, an import permit will be issued, and producers can proceed according to the outlined import protocols. Live breeding sheep can be imported from Australia and New Zealand. Only sheep 12 months of age and older – with no evi dence of specific diseases such as Brucellosis – can be imported. Imports from both countries require a permit and export health certificate, with specific import protocols required for each country. The import process includes an isolation period of a mini mum of 60 days prior to exportation and a minimum 30-day quarantine upon arrival to the United States with the tuberculo sis and brucellosis testing performed at the start of the quaran tine period. There is only one USDA quarantine facility available for live sheep imports – the New York Animal Import Center – and

Breeding sheep from Canada cannot be imported into the United States due to continued Bovine Spongiform Encepha lopathy regulations. Imports from Canada are permitted for direct to slaughter sheep and feeder lambs. However, there are currently no approved feedlots for imported Canadian feeder sheep in the United States. There are protocols for producers that move U.S. origin sheep through Canada from one U.S. loca tion to a second U.S. location. Like with live breeding sheep, importation of embryos is only permitted from Australia and New Zealand. A key requirement is embryos must originate from an approved collection center authorized by the government agency for the respective country of origin. There are conditions required to import embryos from both countries regarding the donor animals, the collection and test ing of embryos, as well as storage and shipment practices. Sheep semen can be imported from Australia, Canada, the European Union, Iceland and New Zealand. The import proto cols differ for the listed countries and for some member states of the European Union. For example, there are specific post-arrival requirements for sheep semen from Canada, the European Union and Iceland that involve record keeping requirements for distribution and first-generation progeny animal identification (see these requirements on the USDA/APHIS website). Although producers have successfully imported live sheep, many find importing embryos and semen easier due to the logistical challenges associated with live animals. Regardless of the approach taken (live, embryos or semen), producers that decide to import sheep should have a good understanding of the processes involved and contact USDA for assistance. Given the current pandemic environment, producers should prepare to encounter potential challenges, delays and increased costs associated with the logistics involved in the import pro cess. For information on importing live sheep, embryos or semen visit the USDA/APHIS website – https://www.APHIS.USDA. gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-and-animal-product import-information/imports/live-animal-imports.

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