Chapter 10 - Artificial insemination

10.1 Background information

This module describes background and procedures required to qualify a donor or teaser animal for entry into an artificial insemination (AI) centre.

Background information

The animal semen production centre is an establishment in which animal semen is collected and/or processed under the terms of a permit issued by the CFIA.

Legislation

The enabling legislation to draft regulations pertaining to the artificial insemination industry is contained in Section 64(q) of the Health of Animals Act. The regulations pertaining to the artificial insemination industry are contained in Sections 2, 69, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 160, and 161 of the Health of Animals Regulations.

On farm procedures to qualify a semen donor or a teaser animal for entry into an artificial insemination centre

All pre-entry qualifying procedures performed on the farm of origin are to be performed by an accredited veterinarian who has been authorized to conduct those specific procedures under the authority of an Accredited Veterinarian Agreement. The veterinarian should contact the respective district veterinarian for advice as to the submission of samples, the respective laboratory to be used, and the completion of laboratory forms. Blood samples must be sent to CFIA laboratories, unless otherwise specified.

Donor animals consigned to a recognized bull sale or exhibition may be tested on the farm of origin before the event. Following the sale or exhibition, the animal may enter the designated isolation facility of an approved semen production centre to commence health testing for entry into the resident herd of the centre. The centre assumes the risk associated with this procedure.

Note that the period of test validity is 60 days from the date of sample collection to enter an isolation facility, except for boars destined to an insemination centre approved for export of semen to the European Community (EC), where the period is only 30 days. In the case of tuberculosis, the date of test is the date on which the injection site is read.

The herd of origin must be inspected and found free from clinical evidence of infectious disease and, insofar as can be determined, from history of infectious diseases during the preceding 60 days.

The accredited veterinarian can perform the procedures in an isolation facility at a semen production centre for the following animals, if the relevant module have been reviewed, and the accredited veterinarian is authorized to perform on-farm testing for the same species:

• swine arriving in a production centre in which semen is for distribution in Canada,
• cervids,
• bison,
• sheep and goats when semen is collected in a sire reference program, and
• bovine. In this case, the accredited veterinarian must have been trained on site for campybacteriosis and trichomonosis sampling and processing, before he can be authorized to perform this duty.

In all other cases, qualifying and testing procedures associated with the assessment of the isolation and health status of semen donor and teaser animals, subsequent to their presentation to the pre-entry isolation facilities of the semen production centre, are to be performed by CFIA staff.

On farm isolation and identification

The donor animals or teasers should remain isolated at the premises of origin and must not be exposed to any infection to which they are susceptible from the date of pre-entry health testing until entry into the designated isolation facility of the centre. The on farm isolation requirement is applicable to all species, except for boars tested on farm for entry into semen production centres approved for distribution in Canada; they should not be exposed to any infection to which they are susceptible from the date of pre-entry health testing until entry into the designated isolation facility of the centre.

Animals must be clearly identified (Refer to 2.1 Identification of Livestock).

All donor animals presented as prospective additions to the isolation section of semen production centres must be examined, and any evidence of heritable physical defects should to be recorded on the health certificate 1634 Certificate of Health for Entry into a Semen Production Centre.

Certification following on farm procedures

If all requirements have been met, the 1634 certificate or its equivalent must be completed by the accredited veterinarian who performs the on-farm pre-entry inspection of the animal to certify the animal eligibility to enter in the isolation section of a semen production centre. The certificate is signed by the accredited veterinarian only. The certificate is valid for 60 days from the date of sample collection, except for boars destined to an insemination centre approved for semen export to the EC, in which case it is only valid for 30 days. The distribution of the 1634 is as follows:

• one copy of the certificate is retained by the accredited veterinarian;
• one copy is sent to the semen production centre for their records; and
• one copy is provided to the owner to accompany the animal to the semen production centre for entry into the isolation area at the Centre.

Note: Multiple donor boars from the same herd may be listed on the Form 1634.

Anyone collecting or processing bovine semen–whether operating from a mobile laboratory or a fixed centre–must be in possession of a "Permit to Operate a Semen Production Centre," or a "Permit to collect and process animal semen for owner use only", issued by the National Coordinator, Artificial Insemination, Terrestrial Animal Health Division, Ottawa. A mobile laboratory must be associated with a permanent facility in which the records referred to in Section 119 of the Health of Animals Regulations are maintained.

10.1A Test and Laboratory list

Please refer to module 3.3 for CFIA laboratory addresses.

10.1B Forms

10.2 Bovine

This module describes the health requirements to qualify donor for export eligible bovine semen, for domestic use and for owner's use only. On farm, isolation and resident donor requirements are described when applicable.

Export eligible semen

On farm health requirements for bovines entering a centre for the production of semen for export

The herd of origin must not be subject to any quarantine, and the animals must be subject to the following tests with negative results, unless otherwise specified, within a 60-day period before entry into the isolation facility of the centre:

• Tuberculosis – intradermal purified protein derivative (PPD) bovine tuberculin – caudal fold read at 72 hours
  • any reaction must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) veterinarian
• Brucellosis – (serum) fluorescence polarization assay (FPA) or test prescribed by World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH; founded as Office International des Épizooties (OIE)) for international trade
• Leptospirosis – (serum) microscopic agglutination test (MAT) – serotypes L. pomona, L. sejroe, L. hardjo, L. canicola, L. grippotyphosa and L. icterohaemorrhagiae
  • Bulls with a test result of 1:100 or 1:200 must be retested after a minimum interval of 14 days and a stable or declining titre obtained to be considered negative and eligible for entry into the isolation facility of the centre. The sampling dates and titres must be recorded on the health certificate that accompanies the animal to the Artificial Insemination (AI) centre.
  • bulls with a test result of 1:400 or higher must be retested at least twice at intervals of 14 days
  • Bulls that are negative at 1:400 on at least 2 consecutive retests are considered to have a stabilized low titre and can enter the isolation facility of the centre. Bulls may be tested multiple times in order to achieve the 2 consecutive low titre tests 14 days apart, provided the original tests stated above fall within the 60 day period prior to entry into the isolation center. The sampling dates and titres must be recorded on the health certificate that accompanies the animal to the isolation facility of the AI centre.
• Bluetongue – (serum) competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA)
• Johne's disease – (serum) ELISA
• Enzootic bovine leucosis (EBL) – (serum) ELISA
• Epizootic hemorrhagic disease – Type 2 (EHD2) – (serum) agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID)
• Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) – (serum) Immunoperoxidase (IP) and serum neutralization (SN)
  • Animals under age 6 months must be retested by immunoperoxidase and SN after reaching that age
  • The SN test determines the serological status of the prospective donor bull. Seropositive and seronegative animals are allowed to enter into the isolation facility of the centre.

Optional test

Note: an Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) test is mandatory for entering into an isolation facility of a bovine semen production centre that is approved for semen export to the European Community (EC).

Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) – (serum) ELISA

this test is performed at the request of the Artificial Insemination centre; a negative test is required for animals entering into an IBR negative facility.

EBL testing the dam

In addition, when possible, the uterine dam of the prospective donor bull should be subjected to an ELISA test for EBL, subsequent to the weaning of the prospective donor, with negative results.

This test of the uterine dam is required to export semen to the EC Member States when semen is collected from a donor bull before reaching age 24 months, and a negative result to an ELISA test is required after reaching that age.

• this test is not required when the prospective donor bull originates from a Canada Health Accredited Herd for EBL (CHAH–EBL)

Samples for EBL testing are to be sent to the CFIA Saint Hyacinthe Laboratory – Retrovirology Centre of Expertise. When sending samples from uterine dam(s) with samples from tested bulls, please specify in the "Comments and Special Instructions" box of the CFIA 5473 form the vials corresponding to the uterine dam(s) and instructions that they are to be tested for EBL only.

A CFIA/ACIA 1634 Certificate of Health for Entry into a Semen Production Centre must accompany the animal to the isolation facility of the centre. (Refer to 10.1 Artificial Insemination – General Information paragraph 11 for distribution).

Isolation health requirements for bovines entering a centre for the production of semen for export

All qualifying and testing procedures associated with the assessment of the isolation health status of semen donor bulls are to be performed by a veterinarian who is authorized to perform these functions as an accredited veterinarian.

Before performing any inspection or test in an isolation facility, the accredited veterinarian must have reviewed this section with a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) district veterinarian and have been trained on site to collect and process samples for campylobacteriosis and trichomoniasis testing.

All animals presented for entry as additions to the resident herd of a semen production centre must undergo a minimum period of 30 days in an isolation facility maintained by the centre; the isolation period may begin when all animals are present in the isolation facility.

An animal is to be considered eligible for entry into isolation only if a certificate of health completed by an accredited veterinarian as stated in article 3, accompanies the animal to the isolation facility.

• an identification check is conducted on each animal against the certificate of health presented by the centre
• the certificate of health must show that the animal has met the appropriate on farm requirements that correspond to the status of the centre he is expected to enter after the isolation procedure

One blood sample is collected from each animal at the beginning of the isolation period for the IBR-ELISA test.

• the sample is immediately sent to the laboratory as no paired samples are required at the end of the isolation period

The initial tests of preputial samples for campylobacter fetus subsp venerealis infection and trichomoniasis (Tritrichomonas foetus) are conducted after at least 7 days in isolation

• Preputial fluid examinations should not be conducted until at least 7 days have elapsed following natural service or semen collection by means of an artificial vagina
  Module 3.4 gives specific information on collection and processing of the sample.

  • Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis examination requires the use of a special transport enrichment medium (TEM) and coordination with the laboratory when scheduling the submission of samples

    Sample(s) of preputial washing are to be subject to culture test(s) as follows:

    • animals less than 6 months of age kept since 30 days of age only in a single sex group prior to entry in isolation must be tested at least once with negative result
    • all animals more than 6 months of age or those that could have been in contact with females after 30 days of age prior to entering isolation must be tested 3 times at weekly intervals with negative result
    • Tritrichomonas foetus examination is by culture of preputial sample followed by direct microscopic examination

  • The culture examination requires the use of a special Tritrichomonas foetus transport medium (TFTM) and coordination with the laboratory when scheduling the submission of samples.

    Sample(s) of preputial washing are to be subject to culture test(s) as follows:

    •  
    • animals less than 6 months of age kept since 30 days of age in a single sex group prior to entry in isolation must be tested at least once with negative result
    • all animals more than 6 months of age or those that could have been in contact with females after 30 days of age prior to entering isolation must be tested at least 3 times at weekly intervals with negative result

  While in the isolation facility and after a minimum of 30 days in isolation, the pre-entry tests must be repeated with negative results, unless otherwise specified, as follows:

  • Tuberculosis – intradermal PPD bovine tuberculin – caudal fold read at 72 hours
    • any reaction must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) veterinarian
    • a minimum of 60 days is required between the tuberculosis test done on-farm and this one

      In the event of a suspicious or inconclusive tuberculin test during testing in the pre-entry isolation facility, a comparative cervical test must be performed by the CFIA. A caudal reaction confirmed to be negative to M. bovis by comparative cervical test performed by a CFIA veterinarian is considered negative for entry purposes

  • Brucellosis – (serum) FPA or test prescribed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) for international trade

  • Leptospirosis – (serum) – Microagglutination test (MAT), serotypes L. pomona, L. sejroe, L. hardjo, L. canicola, L. grippotyphosa and L. icterohaemorrhagiae

    Bulls with a test result of 1:100 or 1:200 must be retested after a minimum interval of 14 days and obtain a stable or declining titre to be considered negative and eligible for entry into the centre.

    Bulls with a test result of 1:400 or higher must be retested at least twice at intervals of 14 days

    Bulls that are negative at 1:400 on at least 2 consecutive retests are considered to have a stabilized low titre and can enter the centre. Bulls may be tested multiple times in order to achieve the 2 consecutive low titre tests 14 days apart. The sampling dates and titres must be recorded on the health certificate that accompanies the animal to the AI centre.

• Bluetongue – (serum) c-ELISA
• Johne's disease – (serum) ELISA
• Enzootic bovine leucosis (EBL) – (serum) ELISA

• EHD2 – (serum) – AGID

  Supplementary test for bulls entering into a bovine semen production centre approved to export to the European Community: in addition to the AGID test, an additional SN test must be performed during isolation for bulls selected for entry in a centre approved for export to the European Community.

• BVD – (serum) – Immunoperoxidase (IP) and SN

  • an agent identification test: a virus isolation test (immunoperoxidase) or another WOAH recommended or suitable test, with negative results

    Only when all animals in the pre-entry isolation have obtained negative results for this test, may animals in the pre-entry isolation facility enter in the semen collection centre. Animals younger than 6 months of age at time of the test must be retested later after reaching that age.

  • a serological test to determine the presence or absence of antibodies: serum neutralisation (SN) or another WOAH recommended or suitable test; test result may be either negative or positive

    When no seroconversion occurs in animals which tested negative prior to entering pre-entry isolation facility, all animals (seronegative and seropositive) are allowed entry into the semen collection centre. When seroconversion occurs in an animal which tested negative prior to entering pre-entry isolation facility, all animals that remain seronegative are kept in pre-entry isolation facility until there is no more seroconversion in this group when another test is performed after a minimum of 21 days.

    Seropositive animals may be allowed to enter the semen collection centre.

For all samples to be analyzed in CFIA laboratories from bovine under isolation notification (IAI), an Excel spreadsheet will need to be completed and forwarded electronically in addition to the paper form CFIA/ACIA 5473. Please consult the "special procedure for submission to CFIA laboratories, applicable to samples from bovine tested in isolation" described in section 3.2.

Optional test

Note: this test is mandatory to enter in a bovine semen production centre approved for export of semen to the European Community.

• IBR – (serum) ELISA test: this test is done at the request of the semen production centre; a negative test is required for animals entering into an IBR negative facility

In the event of a suspicious or positive reaction being reported during the pre-entry isolation testing regime, the individual animal is to be removed from the group.

• the remaining animals shall not be released for entry into the production centre until either the suspect animal has been confirmed negative or has been removed from the isolation and the negative status of the remaining animals reconfirmed by retesting them for the disease in question.

Bovine semen collected during the isolation period may be labelled for "Owner Use Only" and released immediately to the owner of the bull, if the centre or the collector has a permit to collect and process owner use semen.

When collected during the isolation period, semen is eligible for distribution in Canada; this semen must be stored in a manner that precludes the semen from entering the export stream and must not be released until all campylobacteriosis and trichomoniasis tests results are known.

The collection area in the isolation premises must be approved in advance by the district veterinarian for this purpose and documentation on file.

Removal of donors from isolation either to enter the resident herd following the tests referred to above or to leave the centre, must be done only with the permission of the district veterinarian. The centre must be in possession of documentation acknowledging the bull is eligible to leave isolation and confirming which facility status it may enter.

A bull resident in a semen production centre for distribution in Canada does not qualify to enter the isolation facility of an export semen production centre.

• Such a resident bull must comply with the pre-entry requirements for export eligible semen in order to enter the isolation facility.

Health requirements for bovine residents in a centre for the production of semen for export

All qualifying and testing procedures associated with the assessment of the health status of resident semen donor and teaser animals are to be performed by full-time staff of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) except for monthly Bluetongue and EHD2 testing which are to be performed by accredited veterinarians.

Samples must be sent to a private laboratory in accordance with the Policy on the Use of External Laboratories for Export Testing.

• the submitter must include instructions for the lab to send results directly to the local CFIA district office generic email
• contact your local CFIA District Veterinarian for further details

If there is a reactor, the retest will be performed by a CFIA inspector or veterinarian.

• serum and whole blood will be submitted to the National Center for Foreign Animal Disease (NCFAD) laboratory under a disease control notification which will include the reactor's farm of origin and movements

Domestic use semen

On farm requirements for bovines entering a semen collection centre for the purpose of the production of semen for distribution in Canada

Herd of origin

The herd of origin must not be subject to any quarantine, and the animals must be subject to the following tests with negative results, unless otherwise specified, within the 60-day period preceding entry into the isolation facility of the centre.

The animal must be tested in Canada for entry into the isolation facility.

Required tests:

• Tuberculosis – intradermal purified protein derivative (PPD) bovine tuberculin – caudal fold read at 72 hours

  Any reaction must be reported to the CFIA veterinarian.

• Enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) – (serum) ELISA
• Johne's disease – (serum) ELISA
• BVD – (serum) Immunoperoxidase. Animals under age 6 months must be retested after reaching that age.
• Bluetongue – c-ELISA

  An ELISA-positive animal may be accepted in the isolation facility if 1 of the 2 conditions mentioned below apply:

  • a negative result to a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is conducted on a blood sample
    Note: this test is done at the expense of the owner in a private laboratory, and the result must be attached to the certificate mentioned in number 15 (below)
    or
  • a longer period is applied to the animal in the isolation facility maintained by the centre; the animal must remain in isolation for a minimum of 60 days, and during this period, no semen from this animal can be collected, except for "Owner use only"

A CFIA/ACIA 1634 certificate must accompany the animal to the isolation facility of the centre (Refer to paragraph 11 in Module 10.1 for distribution).

Isolation health requirements for bovines entering a centre for the production of semen for distribution in Canada

All qualifying and testing procedures associated with the assessment of the isolation health status of semen donor bulls are to be performed by a veterinarian who is authorized to perform these functions as an accredited veterinarian.

Before performing any inspection or test in an isolation facility, the accredited veterinarian must have reviewed this section with a CFIA district veterinarian and have been trained on site to collect and process samples for campylobacteriosis and trichomoniasis testing.

All animals presented for entry as additions to the resident herd of a semen production centre must undergo a minimum period of 30 days in an isolation facility maintained by the centre except for animals admitted with a positive c-ELISA result for Bluetongue without a negative PCR test, that must undergo a minimum isolation period of 60 days; the isolation period may begin when all animals are present in the isolation facility.

An animal is to be considered eligible for entry into isolation only if a certificate of health completed by an accredited veterinarian as stated in article 15 accompanies the animal to the isolation facility.

• an identification check is conducted on each animal against the certificate of health presented by the centre
• the certificate of health must show that the animal has met the appropriate on farm requirements that correspond to the status of the centre he is expected to enter after the isolation procedure

All animals presented for entry as additions to the semen production centre must receive an injection of dihydrostreptomycin (25 mg per kg of body weight) or an alternate antibiotic effective against leptospirosis at the dosage recommended by the manufacturer, as a preventive measure.

The initial tests of preputial samples for Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis infection and trichomoniasis (Tritrichomonas foetus) may be conducted when animals arrive in isolation.

Preputial fluid examinations should not be conducted until at least 7 days have elapsed following natural service or semen collection by means of an artificial vagina. Module 3.4 gives specific information on collection and processing of the sample.

• Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis examination requires the use of a special transport enrichment medium (TEM) and coordination with the laboratory when scheduling the submission of samples

  Sample(s) of preputial washing are to be subject to culture test(s) as follows:

  • animals less than 6 months of age kept since 30 days of age only in a single sex group prior to entry in isolation must be tested at least once with negative result
  • all animals more than 6 months of age or those that could have been in contact with females after 30 days of age prior to entering isolation must be tested 3 times at weekly intervals with negative results

• Tritrichomonas foetus examination is by culture of preputial sample followed by direct microscopic examination

  The culture examination requires the use of a special transport medium (TFTM) and coordination with the laboratory when scheduling the submission of samples. Sample(s) of preputial washing are to be subject to culture test(s) as follows:

  • animals less than 6 months of age kept since 30 days of age in a single sex group prior to entry in isolation must be tested at least once with negative result
  • all animals more than 6 months of age or those that could have been in contact with females after 30 days of age prior to entering isolation must be tested at least 3 times at weekly intervals with negative results

Bovine semen collected from a bluetongue negative animal (defined as having had either a c-ELISA negative test or a c-ELISA positive test followed by a PCR negative test) during the isolation period may be either labelled "Owner Use Only" if the centre has the proper permit and released immediately to the owner of the bull or kept in the centre and released for distribution in Canada only when results of the all Campylobacter and trichomoniasis culture tests are negative and the minimum 30-day isolation period is over.

Collection of semen from bluetongue positive animals (defined as having had a c-ELISA positive test with no subsequent negative PCR test or a subsequent positive PCR test) is not authorized before the mandatory 60-day isolation period is over. Any semen collection done during the isolation period must be authorized by the district veterinarian.

Removal of donors from isolation either to enter the resident herd following the tests and appropriate isolation periods referred to above or to leave the centre, must be done only with the permission of the district veterinarian.

A bull resident in a semen production centre for distribution in Canada does not qualify to enter the isolation facility of an export semen production centre.

• Such a resident bull must comply with the pre-entry requirements for export eligible semen in order to enter the isolation facility of an export eligible semen production centre

Owner's use only semen

Requirements for bovines collected for owner's use only

Owner's use only semen is intended for use by owners of donor animals in their own herd.

Owner's use bovine semen must only be collected and processed by a person or organization holding a Permit to collect and process animal semen for owner use only.

This permit is issued by the National Coordinator of the Artificial Insemination program.

There is no requirement to be an accredited veterinarian to obtain this permit. Further information may be obtained from the district office.

10.3 Porcine

Export eligible semen

On farm requirements for boars entering a center for the production of semen for export

The animals must be identified with an approved ear tag (or any tag deemed equivalent under the livestock identification and traceability program) which bears a unique number that follows the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 11784 standard format. More information may be found in Module 2.1 Identification of livestock.

Animals improperly identified or that have lost their identification will be rejected when they arrive at the isolation facility of the artificial insemination (AI) centre and retested at the centre's expense.

The herd of origin must not be subject to any quarantine. The animals must be isolated and be subject to the following tests with negative results, unless otherwise specified, within the 60 days preceding entry into the isolation facility of the centre:

Note on centres approved for export to the European Community (EC): animals must be tested within the 30 days preceding entry into the isolation facility of the centre.

• Brucellosis – (serum) fluorescence polarizing assay (FPA) or test prescribed by World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) for international trade
  • all boars selected for entry into the isolation facility of a centre approved for export to the EC must also be tested negative using the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (i-ELISA) test for brucellosis
• Leptospirosis - (serum) microagglutination test (MAT) – L. pomona and L. sejroe
  • boars with a test result of 1:100 or 1:200 must be retested after a minimum interval of 14 days and obtain a stable titre to be considered negative and eligible for entry into the isolation facility of the centre
  • boars with a test result of 1:400 or higher must be retested at least twice at intervals of 14 days
    • boars that are negative at 1:400 on at least 2 consecutive retests are considered to have a stabilized low titre and can enter the isolation facility of the centre
    • boars may be tested multiple times in order to achieve the 2 consecutive low titre tests 14 days apart, provided the original tests stated above fall within the 60 day period (or 30 days for EC) prior to entry into the isolation center
    • the sampling dates and titres must be recorded on the health certificate accompanying the animal to the isolation centre
• Transmissible Gastroenteritis (TGE) – (serum) serum neutralization (SN) test or ELISA test
  • in the event of a positive reaction to the SN test, the laboratory conducts an ELISA test; if the ELISA test is negative, the animal is eligible to enter the isolation facility of the centre
• Aujesky's disease – (serum) ELISA test

A CFIA/ACIA 1634 Certificate of Health for Entry into a Semen Production Centre (or equivalent) must accompany the animal to the isolation facility of the centre. (Refer to Module 10.1 for distribution details.)

The boars are moved directly from the premises of origin to the designated facility of an approved production centre.

Additional on farm requirements for centres approved for export to the European Community

Animals must be tested within 30 days prior to entry into the isolation facility of the centre.

All boars selected for entry in the isolation facility of a centre approved for export to the European Union must also subject to an i-ELISA test for brucellosis with negative results

During the period of at least 3 months prior to entry into the pre-entry isolation facility, no animal in the herd of origin was vaccinated against infection with porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome (PRRS), and no PRRS was detected in the herd of origin of the donor boars

In addition to the tests listed above, donor animals were tested within 30 days prior to entry into the pre-entry isolation facility of the semen centre for PRRS – (serum) immunoperoxidase monolayer assay (IPMA), indirect immunofluorescences assay (IFA) or ELISA, with negative results

Isolation health requirements for boars entering a centre for the production of semen for export

All qualifying and testing procedures associated with the assessment of the isolation health status of semen donor boars are to be performed by a veterinarian who is authorized to perform these functions as an accredited veterinarian.

Before performing any inspection or test in an isolation facility, the accredited veterinarian must have reviewed this section with a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) district veterinarian, and have been trained on site to collect and process samples and perform the appropriate tuberculosis (TB) test.

All animals presented for entry as additions to the resident herd of a semen production centre must undergo a minimum period of 30 days in an isolation facility maintained by the centre; the isolation period may begin when all animals are present in the isolation facility.

An animal is to be considered eligible for entry into isolation only if a certificate of health (CFIA/ACIA 1634 or equivalent) completed by an accredited veterinarian accompanies the animal to the isolation facility.

• an identification check is conducted on each animal against the certificate of health presented by the centre
• the certificate of health must show that the animal has met the appropriate on farm requirements that correspond to the status of the centre it is expected to enter after the isolation procedure

While in the isolation facility and after a minimum of 30 days in isolation, the animals are subject to the following tests with negative results, unless otherwise specified, as follows:

• Tuberculosis (TB) – intradermal purified protein derivative (PPD) bovine tuberculin – reading at 48 hours
  • in the event of a suspicious or inconclusive tuberculin test during testing in the pre-entry isolation facility, CFIA must be contacted and the TB Hazard Specific plan for porcine reactors followed
• Brucellosis – (serum) FPA or test prescribed by WOAH for international trade
• Leptospirosis – (serum) – MAT, serotypes L. pomona, L. sejroe
  • boars with a test result of 1:100 or 1:200 must be retested after a minimum interval of 14 days and obtain a stable or declining titre to be considered negative and eligible for entry into the centre
  • boars with a test result of 1:400 or higher must be retested at least twice at intervals of 14 days
  • boars that are negative at 1:400 (1:100 or 1:200 titre) on at least 2 consecutive retests are considered to have a stabilized low titre and can enter the centre
    • boars may be tested multiple times in order to achieve the 2 consecutive low titre tests 14 days apart
    • the sampling dates and titres must be recorded on the health certificate that accompanies the animal to the AI centre
• TGE – (serum) ELISA test.
  • SN test will only be performed when required by an importing country – please add in the submissions form Comments if this test is required
  • if the ELISA test is negative, the animal is eligible to enter the centre as a resident
• Aujesky's disease – (serum) ELISA test

All samples to be analyzed in CFIA laboratories will be submitted through the local CFIA district office where the isolation center is located using the isolation blanket notification (IAI), porcine export.

• the CFIA district office will provide to the accredited veterinarian an Excel spreadsheet for the required submission information listed on the CFIA/ACIA 5473 – Animal Health Import, Export and Artificial Insemination Specimen Submission Form
  • the most recent version of the template must be used or the information will not upload into the system and the submission will be rejected
    Always verify the version you are using is the correct one prior to submission
• the accredited veterinarian will complete the Excel template in its entirety and email it to CFIA district office for entry into the Laboratory Sample Tracking System (LSTS)
  • do not modify the template in any way or the information will not upload into the system and the submission will be rejected
    Any fields or columns that do not apply, leave them blank. Do not delete or add fields or columns.
• the CFIA district office will provide a hard copy of the submitted LSTS documentation to the accredited veterinarian to include with the samples shipped to the lab
  • the accredited veterinarian must sign page 1 of the submission form and initial at the bottom of any additional pages
  • a copy of the submission form must accompany the samples sent to each laboratory
  • processing, packaging and shipping of the samples to the CFIA laboratory are the responsibility of the accredited veterinarian

Additional requirements for centres approved for export to the EU:

In addition to the tests listed above, the boars must be subject to with negative results:

• Brucellosis – (serum) indirect ELISA (in addition to FPA mentioned above)
• Porcine Reproductive Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRS) – (serum) IPMA, IFA or ELISA AND a test for virus genome (reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)), nested RT-PCR, real time RT-PCR) ^{Footnote 1}

In the event of a suspicious or positive reaction being reported during the pre-entry isolation testing regime, the individual animal is to be removed from the group.

The remaining animals shall not be released for entry into the production centre until either the suspect animal has been confirmed negative or has been removed from the isolation with the negative status of the remaining animals reconfirmed for the disease in question.

Removal of donors from isolation, either to enter the resident herd following the tests referred to above or to leave the centre, must be done only with the permission of the district veterinarian (in writing - using either an isolation release form or 1634).

Domestic use semen

Requirements for boars entering a centre to produce semen for distribution in Canada only

The herd of origin must be inspected and found free from clinical evidence of infectious disease and insofar as can be determined, from any history of infectious disease during the preceding 60 days.

All donor animals being presented as prospective additions to semen production centres must be examined, identified and any evidence of heritable physical defects is to be recorded on the health certificate.

The prospective donor boars should not be exposed to any infection to which they are susceptible from the date of examination until entry into the designated isolation facility of the centre.

The boars are moved directly from the premises of origin to the designated facility of an approved production centre.

The animals must be identified with an approved ear tag (or any tag deemed equivalent under the livestock identification and traceability program) which bears a unique number that follows the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 11784 standard format. More information may be found in Module 2.1 Identification of livestock.

Animals improperly identified or that have lost their identification will be rejected upon arrival at the isolation facility of the centre.

The herd of origin must not be subject to any quarantine within the 60 days before entry into the isolation facility of the centre.

A CFIA/ACIA 1634 Certificate of Health for Entry into a Semen Production Centre must accompany the animal to the isolation facility of the centre. (Refer to Module 10.1 for distribution details.)

The boars are moved directly from the premises of origin to the designated facility of an approved production centre.

Isolation health requirements for boars entering a centre for the production of semen for distribution in Canada only

All qualifying procedures associated with the assessment of the isolation health status of semen donor boars may be performed by a veterinarian who is authorized to perform these functions as an accredited veterinarian.

All animals presented for entry as additions to the resident herd of a semen production centre must undergo a minimum period of 14 days in an isolation facility maintained by the centre; the isolation period may begin when all animals are present in the isolation facility.

An animal is to be considered eligible for entry into isolation only if a certificate of health completed by an accredited veterinarian accompanies the animal to the centre.

An identification check is conducted on each animal against the certificate of health presented by the centre.

• animals improperly identified, that have lost their identification or that are not listed on the health certificate (1634) will be rejected upon arrival at the isolation facility of the centre
• they may be recertified with a new health certificate (1634) at the expense of the centre or removed before the isolation period may begin

Removal of donors from isolation, either to enter the resident herd or to leave the centre, must be done only with the permission of the accredited veterinarian (in writing - using either an isolation release form or 1634).

A boar resident in a semen production centre for distribution in Canada does not qualify to enter the isolation facility of an export semen production centre.

Such a resident boar must comply with the pre-entry requirements for export eligible semen to enter the isolation facility of an export eligible semen production centre. (Refer to "Export Eligible Semen" section in this module.)

Owner's use only semen

Contact your district office for more information.

10.4 Ovine

This module describes the requirements for export eligible ovine semen for domestic use and owner's use only, as well as the sire reference program entry requirements.

Ovine

Export eligible semen

Requirements for rams intended for entry into a semen collection centre to produce semen for export

The flock of origin must not be subject to any quarantine and must be confirmed free from scrapie, pulmonary adenomatosis, bluetongue, and other communicable diseases. To the best of the veterinarian's knowledge and belief:

1. during the previous three years, pulmonary adenomatosis must not have been diagnosed in the flock of origin
2. during the previous five years, scrapie must not have been diagnosed in the flock of origin or in the flock in which the donor ram was born (if different from the flock of origin)
3. the donor ram must not be the progeny of a sire or dam affected by scrapie

The animals must be subject to the following tests with negative results, unless otherwise specified, within the 60 days before their entry into the isolation section of the centre:

1. Brucellosis (B. melitensis), fluorescence polarization assay (FPA), or test prescribed by WOAH for international trade
2. Ovine epididymitis (B. ovis), for sheep only: CF test
3. Leptospirosis – (serum) MAT – Serotypes L. pomona, and L. sejroe – Rams with a test result of 1:100 or 1:200 must be retested after a minimum interval of 14 days and obtain a stable titre to be considered negative and eligible for entry into the isolation facility of the centre.
4. Johne's disease – (serum) AGID
5. Bluetongue – (serum) c-ELISA
6. Maedi Visna – (serum) ELISA

A CFIA/ACIA 1634 Certificate of Health for Entry into a Semen Production Centre must accompany the animal to the isolation facility of the centre. (Refer to paragraph 11 in Module 10.1 for distribution details.)

Domestic use semen

Eligibility requirements for rams intended for entry into a semen collection centre to produce semen for distribution in Canada

Ovine semen for distribution in Canada may be collected from qualified animals on farm in an approved isolation area of the farm.

Approval of on farm isolation area

The on farm isolation area where donor rams / teasers are kept should ideally in a physically separate building or room from than the rest of the flock. This can also be an outdoor area of a paddock provided proper shelter is provided. If a separate building or room is not available, a minimum there can be no nose to nose contact between the donor rams / teasers and other animals and appropriate husbandry practices should be in place to prevent disease transmission between animals of lesser status. Once approved, the accredited veterinarian completes the Annex 2 "Approval of the Isolation Area" to provide to the Center. A copy of Annex 2 is available from your local CFIA District Office.

Animal and flock eligibility

The flock/herd of origin must meet the following requirements:

• no quarantine measures imposed on the flock/herd
• herd/flock is considered free of tuberculosis (M. bovis)
• herd/flock is considered free of brucellosis (B. melitensis)

Qualification of donor animals / teasers:

Animals must be identified with an approved indicator prior to inspection and testing. Animals are examined and confirmed to be healthy and free of infectious diseases (including bluetongue and scrapie) and hereditary defects (donor animals only). Animals must test negative on the following tests prior to being placed in the isolation area:

• Brucellosis (B. melitensis), fluorescence polarization assay (FPA),
• Ovine epididymitis (B. ovis): CF
• Maedi-visna: ELISA

If there are no animals currently present in the approved isolation area, the animals may be placed there prior to the return of test results. Any animal that has a non-negative result must be removed from the isolation area by the accredited veterinarian before semen collection can begin. If there are current residents of the isolation area, then new animals tested should be moved to a separate area of isolation (approved by the AV based on the criteria listed above) prior to test results being available and moving to the approved isolation area. Animals may be tested on another farm and in these cases, the same considerations can be given as to when these animals can enter the approved isolation area.

The Certificate of Health for Entry into a Pre-Entry Isolation Facility of a Semen Production Centre (Form 1634) signed by the accredited veterinarian responsible for approving the isolation and performing the testing must be provided to the centre veterinarian. It must confirm eligibility of the flock(s) of origin and that the donor animals and teasers maintained in the isolation area were tested for the diseases listed with negative results. (Refer to paragraph 11 of Section 10.1 for distribution.)

Sire reference programs

The sire reference program must by approved and sanctioned by the sheep breed association or producer group under whose auspices the semen is collected and distributed. The health conditions under which the semen is collected must be fully communicated to all producers who receive semen for the purpose of sire evaluation.

All rams presented for entry in the approved isolation facility must receive an injection of dihydrostreptomycin (25 mg per kg of body weight) or an alternate antibiotic at the dosage recommended by the manufacturer, as a preventive measure against leptospirosis.

The donor animals or teasers should be placed in an isolation facility approved by the district veterinarian and must not be exposed to any infection to which they are susceptible from the date of pre-collection health testing until the collection program is completed.

After 30 days of isolation, the rams must be subject to the following tests with negative results:

1. Brucellosis – (serum) B. ovis, CF
2. Maedi Visna – (serum) ELISA

A "Permit to collect semen" issued by the CFIA area office, must be issued before the semen is collected and distributed. A list of the producers participating in the "Sire Reference Program" should be presented to the district veterinarian.

Semen collection and distribution may commence immediately after the test results are available, and complete records of the producers receiving the semen must be maintained.

Owner's Use Only

Owner's use only semen is intended for use by owners of donor animals in their own herd. Owner's use caprine semen must only be collected and processed by a person or organization holding a Permit to collect and process animal semen for owner use only. This permit is issued by the National Coordinator of the Artificial Insemination program. There is no requirement to be an accredited veterinarian to obtain this permit. Further information may be obtained from the district office.

10.5 Caprine

This module describes requirements for export eligible caprine semen, for domestic use and owner's use only.

Caprine

Export eligible semen

Requirements for bucks intended for entry into a semen collection centre to produce semen for export

The flock of origin must not be subject to any quarantine and must be confirmed free from scrapie, pulmonary adenomatosis, bluetongue, and other communicable diseases. To the best of the veterinarian's knowledge and belief:

1. during the previous three years, pulmonary adenomatosis must not have been diagnosed in the flock of origin
2. during the previous five years, scrapie must not have been diagnosed in the flock of origin or in the flock in which the donor buck was born (if different from the flock of origin)
3. the donor buck must not be the progeny of a sire or dam affected by scrapie

The animals must be subject to the following tests with negative results, unless otherwise specified, within the 60 days before entry into the isolation section of the centre:

1. Brucellosis – (serum) B. melitensis, FPA or test prescribed by WOAH for international trade
2. Leptospirosis – (serum) MAT – Serotypes L. pomona, and L. sejroe – Bucks with a test result of 1:100 or 1:200 must be retested after a minimum interval of 14 days and must obtain a stable titre to be considered negative and eligible for entry into the isolation facility of the centre.
3. Johne's disease – (serum) AGID
4. Bluetongue – (serum) c-ELISA
5. Caprine arthritis encephalitis - (serum) ELISA

A CFIA/ACIA 1634 Certificate of Health for Entry into a Semen Production Centre must accompany the animal to the isolation facility of the centre. (Refer to paragraph 11 in Module 10.1 for distribution details.)

Domestic use semen

Eligibility requirements for bucks intended for entry into a semen collection centre to produce semen for distribution in Canada

Caprine semen for distribution in Canada may be collected from qualified animals on farm in an approved isolation area of the farm.

Approval of on farm isolation area

The on farm isolation area where donor bucks / teasers are kept should ideally in a physically separate building or room from than the rest of the flock. This can also be an outdoor area of a paddock provided proper shelter is provided. If a separate building or room is not available, a minimum there can be no nose to nose contact between the donor bucks / teasers and other animals and appropriate husbandry practices should be in place to prevent disease transmission between animals of lesser status. Once approved, the accredited veterinarian completes the Annex 2 "Approval of the Isolation Area" to provide to the Center. A copy of Annex 2 is available from your local CFIA District Office.

Animal and flock eligibility

The flock/herd of origin must meet the following requirements:

• no quarantine measures imposed on the flock/herd
• herd/flock is considered free of tuberculosis (M. bovis)
• herd/flock is considered free of brucellosis (B. melitensis)

Qualification of donor animals & teasers:

Animals must be identified with an approved indicator prior to inspection and testing. Animals are examined and confirmed to be healthy and free of infectious diseases (including bluetongue and scrapie) and hereditary defects (donor animals only). Animals must test negative on the following tests prior to being placed in the isolation area:

• Tuberculosis (M.bovis): an intradermal tuberculin test using bovine purified protein derivative (PPD)
• Brucellosis (B. melitensis), fluorescence polarization assay (FPA)
• Caprine arthritis/encephalitis: ELISA

If there are no animals currently present in the approved isolation area, the animals may be placed there prior to the return of test results. Any animal that has a non-negative result must be removed from the isolation area by the accredited veterinarian before semen collection can begin. If there are current residents of the isolation area, then new animals tested should be moved to a separate area of isolation (approved by the AV based on the criteria listed above) prior to test results being available and moving to the approved isolation area. Animals may be tested on another farm and in these cases, the same considerations can be given as to when these animals can enter the approved isolation area.

The Certificate of Health for Entry into a Pre-Entry Isolation Facility of a Semen Production Centre (Form 1634) signed by the accredited veterinarian responsible for approving the isolation and performing the testing must be provided to the centre veterinarian. It must confirm eligibility of the flock(s)/herd(s) of origin and that the donor animals and teasers maintained in the isolation area were tested for the diseases listed with negative results. (Refer to paragraph 11 of Section 10.1 for distribution.)

Owner's Use Only

Owner's use only semen is intended for use by owners of donor animals in their own herd. Owner's use caprine semen must only be collected and processed by a person or organization holding a Permit to collect and process animal semen for owner use only. This permit is issued by the National Coordinator of the Artificial Insemination program. There is no requirement to be an accredited veterinarian to obtain this permit. Further information may be obtained from the district office.

10.6 Cervine

This module describes the requirements for export eligible cervine semen and for its distribution in Canada.

Note: If there is request to collect cervine semen for "Owner's use only," follow the procedure described in paragraphs 6 to 11 in Module 10.2.

Cervine

Pre-entry health requirements of semen donor stags

1. The herd of origin of the donor stags must have been tested for tuberculosis according to current Canadian standards as established in the Captive Ungulate Policy. The herd of origin must not be subject to any quarantine, and the assessment of the general health of the herd must be conducted by the district veterinarian.
2. The herd of origin must be inspected and found free from clinical evidence of infectious disease and, insofar as can be determined, from any history of infectious disease during the preceding 60 days.
3. In the case of animals moving from the premises of origin to the approved facility of a semen production centre, the donor stags should remain in isolation at the premises of origin and must not be exposed to any infection to which they are susceptible from the date of pre-entry health examination until entry into the designated isolation facility.
4. A CFIA/ACIA 1634 Certificate of Health for Entry into a Semen Production Centre must accompany the animal to the isolation facility of the centre. (Refer to paragraph 11 in Module 10.1 for distribution.)

Isolation health requirements of semen donor stags

The assessments of the isolation health status and isolation testing of the donor stags are to be performed by a veterinarian who is authorized to perform these functions as an accredited veterinarian, with the exception of the comparative cervical tuberculin test.

Note: The isolation facility must be approved by the district veterinarian before the donor stag is presented.

5. All donor stags presented for entry as additions to the semen production centre must undergo a minimum period of 30 days in an isolation facility maintained by the centre; the isolation period may begin when all the animals have been assembled in the isolation facility.
6. An animal is to be considered eligible for entry into isolation only if a certificate of health completed by an accredited veterinarian as stated in Number 4 of this module, accompanies the animal to the centre.
7. The animal must be placed in an isolation facility which has been pre-approved by the district veterinarian. Centres collecting cervine semen may be located on premises where other cervines are raised, provided isolation guidelines are maintained.
8. While in the isolation facility, and after a minimum of 30 days in isolation, the animals are tested for the following diseases with negative results, or unless otherwise specified, as follows:
   1. Tuberculosis – mid-cervical intradermal tuberculin test using bovine PPD tuberculin or the comparative cervical test on known reactors to bovine PPD tuberculin. The comparative cervical test is administered by CFIA staff under the same conditions as outlined in the Captive Ungulate Program.
   2. Brucellosis – (serum) – FPA or test prescribed by WOAH for international trade
9. If a suspicious or positive reaction is reported during the isolation testing regime, the individual animal should be removed from the group. The remaining animals should not be released for collection of semen until either the suspect animal has been confirmed negative or has been removed from isolation, and the negative status of the remaining animals reconfirmed for the disease in question. Semen may be collected from the non-reactors in the isolated group, but the semen must remain under CFIA control and be released only after the disease freedom has been established by a negative retest.
10. When tests results are known and negative, semen may be collected without restriction. The donor stags may be collected in the isolation facility, which is considered to become a centre or move to a permanent semen collection centre.
11. All semen collected from donor stags should be clearly labelled with the identification of the donor animal, the species, the identity of the collection unit, and the date of semen collection.
12. Any person or organisation collecting semen on a premises designated for this purpose or on the premises of a herd owner who uses a mobile laboratory must possess a "Permit to Operate a Semen Production Centre," issued by the National Coordinator, Artificial Insemination, Terrestrial Animal Health Division, Ottawa. In addition, every owner of premises on which semen is collected must be in possession of a "Permit to collect semen," issued by the CFIA area office, unless the owner of the premises is granted a "Permit to Operate a Semen Production Centre." The cervine semen collected is eligible for export and distribution in Canada.
13. Donor stags that are maintained in the semen collection centre or isolation facility for a period of over 12 months should be retested for tuberculosis and brucellosis every 12 months.

10.7 Bison

This module describes the requirements for bison semen for exportation and distribution in Canada.

Note: If there is request to collect bison semen for "Owner use only," follow the procedure for "Owner's Use Only Semen," mentioned in Section 10.2.

Bison

Export and domestic eligible semen

Pre-entry health requirements of semen donor bulls

1. The herd of origin of the donor bulls must have been tested for tuberculosis and brucellosis according to current Canadian standards. The herd of origin must not be subject to any quarantine, and the assessment of the general health of the herd must be conducted by the district veterinarian.
2. The herd of origin must be inspected and found free from clinical evidence of infectious disease and, insofar as can be determined, from history of infectious disease during the preceding 60 days.
3. In the case of animals moving from the premises of origin to the approved facility of a semen production centre, the donor bulls should remain in isolation at the premises of origin and must not be exposed to any infection to which they are susceptible from the date of pre-entry health examination until entry into the designated isolation facility.
4. A certificate CFIA/ACIA 1634 Certificate of Health for Entry into a Semen Production Centre must accompany the animal to the isolation facility of the centre. (Refer to paragraph 11 in Module 10.1 for distribution.)

Isolation health requirements of semen donor bulls

Assessments of the isolation health status and isolation testing of the donor bulls are to be performed by a veterinarian who is authorized to perform these functions as an accredited veterinarian.

Note: The isolation facility must be approved by the district veterinarian before the donor bison is presented.

5. All donor bulls presented for entry as additions to the semen production centre must undergo a minimum period of 30 days in an isolation facility maintained by the centre; the isolation period may begin when all animals have been assembled in the isolation facility.
6. An animal is considered eligible for entry into isolation only if a certificate of health, completed by an accredited veterinarian as stated in Number 4 of this module, accompanies the animal to the centre.
7. The animal must be placed in an isolation facility that has been pre-approved by the district veterinarian. Centres collecting bison semen may be located on premises where other bison are raised, provided isolation guidelines are maintained.
8. All animals presented for entry as additions to the semen production centre must receive an injection of dihydrostreptomycin (25 mg per kg of body weight) or an alternate antibiotic at the dosage recommended by the manufacturer, as a preventive measure against leptospirosis.
9. The initial tests of preputial samples for Campylobacter foetus subspecies venerealis infection and trichomoniasis (Tritrichomonas foetus) are conducted after at least seven days in isolation. Preputial fluid examinations should not be conducted until at least seven days have elapsed following natural service or semen collection by means of an artificial vagina.
   1. Campylobacter foetus examination requires the use of a special transport enriched medium (TEM) and coordination with the laboratory when scheduling the submission of samples. Sample(s) of preputial washing are to be subject to culture tests as follows:
      • Animals under six months of age or kept since that age only in a single sex group before their entry into isolation should be tested once with negative results.
      • Animals over six months of age that could have been in contact with females before entering isolation should be tested three times at weekly intervals with negative results.
   2. Trichomoniasis examination is by culture of preputial washing followed by direct microscopic examination. The culture examination requires the use of a special Tritrichomonas foetus transport medium (TFTM) or an acceptable alternate medium and coordination with the laboratory when scheduling the submission of samples. Samples of preputial washing are to be subject to culture tests as follows:
      • Animals under 6 months of age or kept since that age only in a single sex group before their entry into isolation should be tested once with negative results.
      • Animals over 6 months of age that could have been in contact with females before their entry into isolation should be tested three times at weekly intervals with negative results.
10. Semen may be collected from the donor immediately following each sampling mentioned above, but must be labelled "Owner's Use Only" and may be released immediately to the owner.
11. While in the isolation facility, and after a minimum of 30 days in isolation, the donor animals should be tested for the following diseases with negative results unless otherwise specified:
    1. Brucellosis – (serum) – FPA or test prescribed by WOAH for international trade.
    2. Tuberculosis - caudal intradermal tuberculin test using bovine PPD tuberculin.

    Note: Any reactions to these tests must be reported to the district veterinarian.

12. If a suspicious or positive reaction is reported during the isolation testing regime, the individual animal is to be removed from the group. The remaining animals should not be released for collection of semen until the suspect animal either has been confirmed negative or has been removed from the isolation facility, and the negative status of the remaining animals reconfirmed for the disease in question.
13. When tests results are known and negative, semen may be collected without restriction. The donor bulls may be collected in the isolation facility, which is considered to become a centre, or move to a permanent semen collection centre.
14. All semen collected from donor bulls should be clearly labelled with the identification of the donor animal, the species, the identity of the collection unit, and the date of collection of the semen.
15. Any person or organisation collecting semen on a premises designated for this purpose or on the premises of a herd owner using a mobile laboratory must be in possession of a "Permit to Operate a Semen Production Centre," issued by the National Coordinator, Artificial Insemination, Terrestrial Animal Health Division, Ottawa. In addition, every owner of premises on which semen is collected must be in possession of a "Permit to collect semen," issued by the CFIA area office, unless the owner of the premises is granted a "Permit to Operate a Semen Production Centre." Bison semen collected is eligible for export and distribution in Canada.
16. If donor bulls are maintained in the semen collection centre or isolation facility for a period of more than 12 months, they should be retested for tuberculosis and brucellosis every 12 months.