klintdog.... moving semen across national borders in any direction is not as simple as one would think. First of all, remember that bureaucrats are involved at all levels of this, so the red tape is beyond stupid. In order to take semen from Canada into the US is not as easy as you may think. Here are some things to remember:
1). You must obtain a permit from USDA to import semen into the US from an out of country source. It takes 10-14 days to obtain this from Washington.
2) The semen must be collected in a stud that is export qualified, meaning that this stud must be approved by USDA and must be inspected on a very regulated basis by a federally approved vet.
3) the sire who produced the exportable semen must have been collected after a period of time when he has had a series of health tests done with negative results. The semen that is deemed to be US qualified only retains this status if the semen is at the approved stud or has been sealed in a semen tank for export by a federal veterinarian. Once this semen reaches the stud in the US this seal is removed by an USDA vet and the semen is checked to see if it matches the semen on the accompanying paperwork. If one word is wrong on the health papers, it is immediately sent back to wherever it originated. Remember, US qualified semen loses its export status the moment it leaves the export approved stud in anything but a government sealed shipping tank.
This means that if I put some export status semen in my private tank at home, it no longer is exportable. Fortunately, this regulation is overlooked in the production of exportable embryos. I can use US qualified semen that I have in my tanks and the embryos will still have US export status. ... which means the semen can't be exported, by the embryos produced from this semen can be. It scares me to think about the Einstein bureaucrats that come up with this crap. They are truly dangerous people.
So.. if you think you can just bring your tank to Agribition and put some semen in it and return home, it legally ain't going to happen. I know lots of people smuggle semen across the borders in each direction, but I think you should consider some of the consequences if you get caught. I know of several fitters who have been refused entry into the US and vice versa, into Canada, simply because they have a .08 alcohol fine. I know of a few seized trucks and stock trailers because some thought they could sneak a few things across the border .. in either direction. Lots have been successful in doing this, but I think it is taking a real risk when it could affect you in ever crossing the border again in your lifetime.
So... if you want to get some Canadian semen ... or want to get semen from the US into Canada, contact a major stud and have them do the paperwork and ship the semen in one of their shipments. Most of the major studs in Canada and the US have tanks travelling between countries on a 1-2 week basis. Make sure the semen is export qualified first, or save your breath, cause it will not happen no matter how much you want the semen.
