Specimens should be submitted to the Veterinary Laboratory at EMAI, Menangle.

Generally specimens should not be sent by overnight courier on Friday or at the weekend. Weekend delivery attracts a heavy surcharge from all courier companies. Before calling your courier to pick up specimens on a Friday, call the laboratory to discuss options.

The cost of transport of submissions to the laboratory is included in the test charges. Submitters can therefore charge the cost of freight to the NSW Department of Primary Industries' Account Number on the Consignment Note.

Couriers

Most submissions are sent to our laboratory by overnight courier. Commercial couriers may use either road or air transport and specimens should therefore be packed in accordance with the more stringent IATA requirements for air transport.

NSW Department of Primary Industries has contracts or agreements with several large courier companies as well as with local companies. Some companies offer same day delivery. Call the laboratory to discuss transport options before contacting a courier company.

Forwarding live of dead animals

The laboratory should be consulted before live or whole dead animals are forwarded. We will determine the feasibility of the operation and make arrangements for receiving the animals.

All costs associated with freight and carcase disposal will be borne by the submitter unless prior arrangements have been made.

It is the responsibility of the sender to meet with the requirements not only of the transport authority, but also with the requirements of welfare of the animal during transport. The following should be used as guidelines:

1. Containers must meet the requirements of the transport authority.
2. The containers should be large enough for the animal to stand, to lie down fully extended and to turn round.
3. Suitable bedding should be provided.
4. Animals should be placed in the container and delivered to the terminal or railway station shortly before the estimated time of departure. Animals should not be left confined for long periods awaiting or during transport.