Owner's Agreement for Contagious Equine Metritis Quarantine (CEM) Frequently Asked Questions
DACS-09001 - Owner's Agreement for Quarantine for Contagious Equine Metritis
- Why do stallions and mares imported from certain foreign countries have to undergo CEM Quarantine upon arrival in the United States?
- Why are non-breeding horses (i.e., geldings, spayed mares) not required to undergo CEM Quarantine upon arrival in the United States?
- Where must one obtain an application of the Owner's Agreement for Quarantine for CEM?
- Where must one obtain a list of approved CEM Quarantine Facilities in Florida?
- Are there states other than Florida that operate approved CEM Quarantine Facilities?
- How does one obtain the services of a Florida licensed and federally accredited veterinarian to perform the required quarantine procedures?
- What fees are charged by the state for mares and stallions undergoing CEM Quarantine Procedures?
- What is the procedure for any stallion/mare failing to qualify for the release from CEM Quarantine?
Why do stallions and mares imported from certain foreign countries
have to undergo CEM Quarantine upon arrival in the United States?
CEM is a disease that does not exist in the United States. Breeding animals
originating from countries where CEM exists must enter approved CEM Quarantine
facilities for testing procedures. These procedures must be conducted
to prove that horses are not affected with CEM.
Why are non-breeding horses (i.e., geldings, spayed mares) not
required to undergo CEM Quarantine upon arrival in the United States?
CEM is a sexually transmitted disease that is spread by breeding horses.
Therefore, sexually immature horses, geldings and spayed mares are exempt
from CEM Quarantine upon arrival in the United States.
Where must one obtain an application of the Owner's Agreement
for Quarantine for CEM?
One must contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,
Division of Animal Industry, 407 S. Calhoun Street, Room 331 Mayo Building,
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0800 or call 850/410-0900.
Where must one obtain a list of approved CEM Quarantine Facilities
in Florida?
One must contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,
Division of Animal Industry, 407 South Calhoun Street at 850/410-0900
or contact a broker.
Are there states other than Florida that operate approved CEM
Quarantine Facilities?
Yes, a list of CEM Quarantine Facilities located in states other than
Florida is available through the USDA-APHIS-VS, Hyattsville, MD, phone
(301)734-7885. The information may be found in Title 9, Code of Federal
Regulation, Part 93.301. Also, one may wish to contact a broker.
How does one obtain the services of a Florida licensed and federally
accredited veterinarian to perform the required quarantine procedures?
The approved CEM Quarantine Facility operator will provide a qualified
veterinarian to perform the required procedures or one may request the
services of any other qualified veterinarian.
What fees are charged by the state for mares and stallions undergoing
CEM Quarantine Procedures?
The Department charges $1,250 for a single horse and $750 for each additional
horse in a shipment of two or more horses. These fees cover the cost
of a state employed veterinarian providing oversight for all required
procedures performed from the time the animal arrives at the facility
until the animal leaves the facility. The procedure requires several
visits by the state employed veterinarian for travel and time spent.
The steps of the procedure include: breaking seal on the transporting
vehicle, issuing quarantine, providing oversight on all diagnostic procedures
and tests conducting tests by the attending veterinarian. Also, the veterinarian
is responsible for releasing the quarantine when all diagnostic tests
and procedures are completed.
What is the procedure for any stallion/mare failing to qualify
for the release from CEM Quarantine?
If a horse fails to qualify for release from CEM Quarantine within 18
months of initiation of testing and treatment, the horse may: (1) move
directly to slaughter under official permit, or (2) may be humanely euthanized
