BACKGROUND
To ensure consistency when frozen semen is imported into Australia, GA has documented practices to allow formal adoption, which should assist jurisdictions and participants.
Frozen semen is usually imported into Australia in batches of between 20 to 40 vials per shipment, with on average six batches received per year. GA recognises that the importation of frozen semen remains a key objective to ensure Australia has a strong outcross of bloodlines. As a result, Australia does wish to encourage importation, as long as it can be appropriately regulated.

GA believes a documented process will assist jurisdictions and participants with registration of imported frozen semen. This issue was discussed at the 2011 Registrars and Chief Stewards Conference, where it was concluded that a formal written policy would be in the best interests of greyhound racing.

PROCESS
A per GAR 135 (2) (b) – prior to the importation of a breeding unit from a country other than New Zealand the importer must lodge, in the manner prescribed by Greyhounds Australasia, the prescribed form notifying the number, assessment and allocation of breeding units from imported semen together with the prescribed fee.

When frozen semen is imported into Australia, various documents are requested from the importer and include the following.

• Shipping document/AQIS report
• Collection report including:
  •  sperm count
  • vial numbers
  • collection dates
  • authorised collector
  • dog identification (i.e. microchip number)

The above documents are used as base supporting information for the GA Administrator to verify that the import complies with Australasia’s frozen semen rules. The importer is also requested to complete a GA import form.

If the GA Administrator is unsure about the legitimacy of the information provided they will verify details with the international registry from where the semen was imported.

If semen is imported into Australia for the first time, verification of the greyhounds details will be confirmed via the international registry where the greyhound was first registered (i.e. England, Ireland or USA). Also,as per GAR 135 (2) (a) GA acknowledges the international studbook alliance relationship, and a sire registered by an international registry is automatically registered in Australia without paying the standard registration fee.

DNA
As per GAR135(1) it is expected that a breeding unit of semen imported from a country other than New Zealand shall have attached to it satisfactory DNA identification prior to entry into Australia or New Zealand.

Once GA is aware of semen being imported for the first time we also advise the laboratory contracted by GA to perform DNA testing. Through our international links the DNA testing laboratory request an electronic DNA profile from the relevant overseas laboratory. This process can take anywhere between 1-4 weeks for a profile to be obtained. There is no fee charged for this service.

Where a DNA profile cannot be obtained from the country of origin, a sample is taken from one of the imported breeding units and the associated fee charged to the importer.

APPROVAL
Once the sires details and DNA profile are finalised, and GA is comfortable that the imported frozen semen meets Australia’s rules, the documentation is sent to the relevant jurisdiction where the semen was first imported for sign off.

When approved, GA collects the associated fee, registers the units and enters the sire’s details (if required) into the database.

On adoption of this policy, and given the DNA and Sire registration has no associated charges, it is considered appropriate for the sliding scale to be replaced with a ‘per vial’ fee as currently applies to register Australian vials.

TIME FRAME
GA aims to have all imported frozen semen registered and entered in the database within a maximum of 10working days, once the completed paperwork is received.

POLICY POSITION
Effective 1 January 2012, the GA Board resolved to adopt a National policy position with regard to imported frozen semen as per this document.

Click here to access the online registration form.

A printable version is also available.