Import risk analysis: Llamas (Lama glama) and alpacas (Vicugna ...

1993). It causes severe disease in a number of animal species including cattle and it may
affect humans. Therefore, it is considered to be a potential hazard in the commodity.
26.2. RISK ASSESSMENT
26.2.1. Entry assessment
M. bovis can infect camelids and this organism is present in many countries from which
camelids could be imported. In clinically healthy animals the likelihood of entry is
considered to be low. However, since subclinically infected animals could be imported, if
the source country had a significantly higher rate of infection in livestock than New
Zealand then the likelihood of imported camelids harbouring M. bovis would be higher
than animals from this country. Therefore the likelihood of entry is assessed as low but
non-negligible.
26.2.2. Exposure assessment
There is some indication that camelids infected with tuberculosis do not show clinical
signs and are not highly contagious. However, assuming that transmission by the
respiratory route is possible from subclinically infected camelids, as with infected
ruminants, the likelihood that imported camelids could transmit the disease to susceptible
animals through contact is assessed to be low but non-negligible.
26.2.3. Consequence assessment
The introduction of infected camelids could result in a small increase in the number of
cases of bovine tuberculosis in cattle and deer. However, it is unlikely that such effects
would be noticed unless infected camelids were introduced directly into cattle herds that
were free from bovine tuberculosis. There are no controls under the Tb NPMS to restrict
the movement of camelids in this country, reflecting the low importance of these animals
in the epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis in New Zealand. Nevertheless, admission of
camelids into Agricultural and Pastoral (A&P) shows frequently requires a negative skin
test. Therefore, although the likelihood of significant consequences arising as a result of
importation of camelids is remote, for the purposes of this risk analysis the consequences
are assessed to be non-negligible.
26.2.4. Risk estimation
There is a low likelihood of imported camelids harbouring M. bovis, and although the
likelihood of transmission from infected camelids is somewhat uncertain, it appears to be
lower than for cattle and deer. While the possibility of additional consequences in animals
covered by the NPMS cannot be completely discounted, it is considered that the risk posed
by imported camelids is unlikely to be higher than for domestically sourced animals.
Since camelids are not subjected to any control measures under the NPMS for M. bovis,
under New Zealand’s international obligations it is not possible to impose measures on
imported camelids unless they originate from countries where the rate of M. bovis infection
in livestock is higher than in this country.
As a result, the risk estimate for M. bovis is non-negligible and it is classified as a hazard in
the commodity. Therefore risk management measures may be justified.
96 ● Import risk analysis: Llamas and alpacas from specified countries MAF Biosecurity New Zealand