Import & Export

Information about services offered for importing transgenic lines

Animal facilities around the world have different husbandry protocols, barrier requirements and varying pathogen screening. To preserve the health status of BVS animal units within the University of Edinburgh, to protect scientific research when importing animals, and to ensure we meet all local legislation when exporting, BVS provide a comprehensive service for importing and exporting to and from collaborators around the world.

 

Importing Animals

In order to ensure the most economic and efficient use of BVS resource, our Import Coordinator will arrange all aspects of your import, often reducing time and cost.

If the health status of the exporting facility is not compatible with our receiving unit, a rederivation may be required. The requirement for rederivation is determined after NVS review of importation documents which includes the health screen of the exporting institution.

Researchers who are interested in importing live animals or frozen sperm or embryos to the University should complete the Import Request Form (see below) and return it to the BVS Import / Export Manager to initiate imports and establish whether rederivation is required.

The importation service includes:

  • Liaising with the source facilities to ensure animals to be sent are the appropriate age/gender/genotype and have a suitable health status.
  • Organising and advising on additional services such as the post-quarantine holding unit assignment and embryo/sperm derivation depending on pathogen status.
  • Ensuring that we have the appropriate documentation in place before shipping, including APHA permit application for imports outwith the UK and the EU.
  • Assigning appropriate quarantine space within BVS units.
  • Arranging a courier and liaising with the sending unit for suitable delivery dates.
  • Organising requisite serological testing for release from quarantine.
  • Please be aware that animals coming to BVS originate from a wide variety of sources, their general health status will vary and may not always be as originally believed. If upon clearance from quarantine a line needs to be rederived to their destination unit, the BVS Central Transgenic Core (CTC) can provide this service.

Researcher's responsibilities during the process:

  • Complete sections C, D and E of the Import Request Form (see below).
  • Ask your contact at the sending institute to complete section B of the Import Request Form.
  • Return the completed form at to the BVS Import / Export Manager at which point we will contact the sending institution and ask them to complete a BVS Importation health questionnaire and supply us with the required recent health reports.
  • Once all requested information is in place, the requst will be submitted to the NVS for authorisation and the BVS Import / Export Manager will contact the sending institute to arrange suitable shipping dates.

Time and cost of the whole importation process depend on the option chosen. Please contact the BVS Import / Export Manager for a quote and to discuss your requirements.

BVS Import Request Form (532.73 KB / DOCX)

 

If required, there are several options for importation by rederivation:​​​

  • Embryo transfer using frozen embryos
  • IVF using fresh sperm shipped refrigerated within the cauda epididymis (maintains fertility for at least 72 hours)
  • IVF using frozen sperm
  • Import of live animals for IVF (which requires at least two males) or embryo transfer (which requires at least three breeding pairs)

 

Exporting Animals

The exportation service includes:

  • Liaising with the receiving facilities to ensure animals sent are the appropriate age/gender/genotype and have a suitable health status. If frozen sperm or embryos are sent, we'll ensure the receiving facility is in a position to receive and rederive those.
  • Ensuring that we have the appropriate documentation in place before shipping, including all local and national permits for exports outwith the UK.
  • Organising additional serological testing if required.
  • Organising shipping.

Researcher's responsibilities during the process:

  • Complete sections B, C and D of the Export Request Form and return it to the Import Coordinator (see below).
  • Ask your contact at the receiving institute to complete section A and E of the Export Request Form.
  • Return all of the required information, at which point BVS will contact the receiving institute to arrange suitable shipping dates.
BVS Export Request Form (532.81 KB / DOCX)

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