[NHCOLL-L:3158] FW: Importation of preserved museum specimens into Australia for scientific research

Tue Aug 15 14:58:06 EDT 2006

Hi all

Below is an email discussion (a long thread so start at the bottom and work your way up) that I had with Alison Heard from AQIS (Australian Quarantine Inspection Service) that handles all incoming biological materials into Australia.  I initially contacted them to see how we could smooth over the process of getting specimens into Australia as a couple of people had issues.

I think the take home message here is to mark clearly on the outside of the package, that the specimens are scientific research specimens, of no commercial value (as usual) and then add the fact that all internal packages are at least 80% full and the type of preservative that has been used.  It probably would help to also include a listing of what species are contained in the package i.e. a loan invoice would be good.

Also note the link to the regulations for animal or plant material entering the country:  Animal or plant specimens - Preserved and fixed <http://www.aqis.gov.au/icon32/asp/ex_casecontent.asp?intNodeId=8191769&intCommodityId=1346&Types=none&WhichQuery=Go+to+full+text&intSearch=1&LogSessionID=1614551> 

Also note that Alison Heard is offering to have recipients within Australia contact her if they are having problems with incoming materials.

Hopefully this will smooth the process.

All the best

Andy

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Andy Bentley
Ichthyology Collection Manager
University of Kansas
Natural History Museum & Biodiversity Research Center
Dyche Hall
1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561
USA

Tel: (785) 864-3863
Fax: (785) 864-5335
Email: ABentley at ku.edu       

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________________________________

From: AQISWeb-Biologicals at aqis.gov.au [mailto:AQISWeb-Biologicals at aqis.gov.au] 
Sent: Monday, August 14, 2006 7:43 PM
To: Bentley, Andrew Charles
Subject: RE: [UNCLASSIFIED]FW: Importation of preserved museum specimens for scientific research

Hi Andy,

I am satisfied that an evacuated bag which is then filled with ethanol would meet the AQIS requirements for a container being at least 80% full.  The 80% full regulation is directly out of the Quarantine Proclamation 1998.  My assumption for its inclusion as a requirement is to ensure that samples have been immersed in enough fixative to ensure/encourage full penetration of the tissue in question.

Provided the packages are clearly labelled or accompanied by documentation indicating the preservative used and that the preservative fills at least 80% of the container (in this case an evacuated bag) you should not encounter any issues with having these samples cleared.

Should any of your consignments be held by our regional staff who are unsure as to whether the evacuated bag with 30mL of ethanol meets the 80% requirement, feel free to advise the recipient of the samples to contact me and I will discuss the issue with the regional office.

I hope this helps.

Regards, 

Alison Heard 
Scientific Assessing Officer 
Biologicals Unit 
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service 
Phone: *(02) 62724578 
Fax:     *(02) 62732097 
Email: ? alison.heard at aqis.gov.au 

Website: www.aqis.gov.au 

________________________________

From: Bentley, Andrew Charles [mailto:abentley at ku.edu] 
Sent: Tuesday, 25 July 2006 12:22 AM
To: AQISWeb-Biologicals at aqis.gov.au
Cc: Simmons, John E
Subject: RE: [UNCLASSIFIED]FW: Importation of preserved museum specimens for scientific research

Hi Alison

Thank you for your detailed response.

>From the link you provided it appears as if the specimens we are shipping DO NOT require an import permit, so we are clear there.

A couple of questions do remain however and I wonder if you could track down some definitive answers for me please:

1.	What is the definition of 80% full when it comes to containers?  We are packing our specimens in plastic bags that have the majority of the air removed and a maximum of 30ml of fluid as per IATA shipping regulations.  If 30ml constitutes 80% of the air volume of the bag is this still within the AQIS regulations?  What is the reasoning behind the 80% full regulation? 
2.	Ideally, if these specimens do not require an import permit, what should we be indicating on the outside of the package to indicate this and facilitate 'safe passage' - preserved museum specimens in 70% ethanol, all containers at least 80% full, no import permit required as per AQIS regulations? 

Thanking you again for your assistance with this

All the best

Andy

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Andy Bentley
Ichthyology Collection Manager
University of Kansas
Natural History Museum & Biodiversity Research Center
Dyche Hall
1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561
USA

Tel: (785) 864-3863
Fax: (785) 864-5335
Email: ABentley at ku.edu       

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}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<)))_°>
   V                V                V 

________________________________

From: AQISWeb-Biologicals at aqis.gov.au [mailto:AQISWeb-Biologicals at aqis.gov.au] 
Sent: Monday, July 24, 2006 1:23 AM
To: Bentley, Andrew Charles
Subject: RE: [UNCLASSIFIED]FW: Importation of preserved museum specimens for scientific research

Dear Mr Bentley,

Thank you for your query.

The current AQIS requirements for the importation of preserved animal specimens can be found on the following link: Animal or plant specimens - Preserved and fixed <http://www.aqis.gov.au/icon32/asp/ex_casecontent.asp?intNodeId=8191769&intCommodityId=1346&Types=none&WhichQuery=Go+to+full+text&intSearch=1&LogSessionID=1614551> 

Where these requirements cannot be met an AQIS Import Permit is required and the potential recipients in Australia will need to apply for an AQIS Import Permit.  Such a permit would not necessarily have to be specific to preserved specimens and could permit the importation of samples which have not been fixed.

I think the easiest course of action from here would be to contact the recipients in Australia and advise them to apply for an import permit.  If they are not familiar with the application process they should feel free to contact us, or peruse some of the links in my signature block below.

For Australian Quarantine Import Conditions, please refer to www.aqis.gov.au/icon <http://www.aqis.gov.au/icon> . This database lists the Quarantine conditions under which various commodities may be imported into Australia. Using the ICON search facility, enter your keywords "fixed" into the search box, leaving the country and end-use fields as 'all' and click "search". The database will return the results. If an AQIS Import Permit is required, or if any other specific conditions apply, ICON will specify this. The information available on ICON is the same information that AQIS's clearing officers use when inspecting and clearing goods arriving into the country. I recommend that you refer to this database regularly to keep up to date with any policy changes by AQIS. 

If an AQIS Import Permit is required, the application forms, fees and contact details can be obtained from the links below. Please note that assessment of applications can take up to 10 working days. Permits are generally valid for 2 years and can be used any number of times during this period. The permit will dictate conditions under which products may enter Australia. It is important that the importer reads and understands these conditions before importing. 

Please note that your goods may also be subject to import regulations under other Australian Government authorities such as the Australian Customs Service <http://www.customs.gov.au/> , the Department of Environment and Heritage <http://www.deh.gov.au/>  (eg. CITES restrictions), the Therapeutic Goods Administration <http://www.tga.gov.au/> , the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority <http://www.apvma.gov.au/> , the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator <http://www.ogtr.gov.au/> , or Food Standards Australia New Zealand <http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/> . It is the importer's responsibility to enure that all regulatory conditions can be met prior to import. 

I hope this information is useful to you.

Regards, 

Alison Heard 
Scientific Assessing Officer 
Biologicals Unit 
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service 
Phone: *(02) 62724578 
Fax:    *(02) 62732097 

Website: www.aqis.gov.au 
Application form and charges: www.aqis.gov.au/importapp <blocked::http://www.aqis.gov.au/importapp>  (note new charges apply as at 1 July 2005).
Import Conditions Database: www.aqis.gov.au/ICON 
Checklist for importing biological products: www.aqis.gov.au/biolcheck 
Frequently Asked Questions: www.aqis.gov.au/biologicalsFAQ  (Note: AQIS does not issue renewal notices for Import Permits)
Biologicals Unit email: biologicals at aqis.gov.au 

________________________________

From: Bentley, Andrew Charles [mailto:abentley at ku.edu] 
Sent: Saturday, 22 July 2006 7:51 AM
To: biologicals at aqis.gov.au
Cc: Simmons, John E
Subject: Importation of preserved museum specimens for scientific research

Hi there

I have been trying to get scientific research specimens, on loan from our institution to researchers in Australia, into Australia and have been running in to all sorts of problems.  On various occasions I have had specimens impounded and now have heard that legislation has been passed that all containers containing preserved material must be 80% full.  In order for us to ship these specimens internationally we have to comply with IATA excepted quantity regulations that only permit 30ml of fluid in each individual package.  Specimens are usually wrapped in cheesecloth and wet with enough fluid (less than 30ml) to keep the specimen moist for its journey.  These two regulations are opposing each other and making stifling scientific work between organizations.

Could you confirm that this is actually the case (that containers must be 80% full)? Can you make suggestions as to how we could rectify this situation?  Are there specific regulations in place for this sort of material entering Australia.  These specimens obviously pose no quarantine or environmental risk.

Thanks in advance for any help you can supply in this regard.

All the best

Andy

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Andy Bentley
Ichthyology Collection Manager
University of Kansas
Natural History Museum & Biodiversity Research Center
Dyche Hall
1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561
USA

Tel: (785) 864-3863
Fax: (785) 864-5335
Email: ABentley at ku.edu       

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}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<)))_°>
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