Quarantine (General) Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1965 No. 188, made under the Quarantine Act 1908-1961, address a specific problem concerning the disinfection of footwear and articles of clothing suspected of being infected with foot and mouth disease. Enacted by the Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, these regulations were designed to provide a clear and effective method for disinfecting items that had been quarantined due to potential contamination. The policy objective behind this legislation is to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease, thereby protecting both human health and the livestock industry from the potentially devastating impacts of such a disease. This regulation ensures that contaminated items are treated appropriately, reducing the risk of disease transmission.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1965 No. 188, made under the Quarantine Act 1908-1961, introduce amendments to the Quarantine (General) Regulations to address the disinfection of footwear and articles of clothing potentially infected with foot and mouth disease. This regulation applies to footwear and articles of clothing that have been quarantined due to suspected infection with foot and mouth disease, a quarantinable disease. The regulation mandates that footwear must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected using an aqueous solution containing one percent sodium carbonate, while articles of clothing must undergo dry cleaning. This regulation is applicable within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia, extending to all states and territories, and is intended to prevent the spread of this highly contagious animal disease. The regulation does not specify exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds for its application, thereby imposing a uniform standard across the board. Additionally, the Act and its subordinate instruments may further extend or restrict the application of these regulations as necessary.

Key Provisions

The legislative instrument in question amends the Quarantine (General) Regulations under the Quarantine Act 1908-1961. Specifically, a new regulation 39a is introduced to address the method of disinfecting footwear and articles of clothing in relation to foot and mouth disease (section 39a). This regulation requires that footwear be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with an aqueous solution containing one percent sodium carbonate, while articles of clothing must be dry-cleaned if they have been ordered into quarantine due to suspected infection with foot and mouth disease. The obligations imposed by this new regulation are clear and specific. For footwear, it mandates a thorough cleaning process followed by disinfection with a sodium carbonate solution, ensuring that any potential infection is eradicated. Similarly, for articles of clothing, the regulation requires dry cleaning to eliminate any risk of infection. These processes must be carried out in accordance with the directions of the quarantine officer who ordered the goods into quarantine based on suspicion of foot and mouth disease. Failure to comply with the disinfection requirements set out in regulation 39a can lead to significant consequences. Under the Quarantine Act 1908-1961, non-compliance may be considered an offence. The penalties for such breaches can be substantial, with potential fines and other legal repercussions. The exact penalties are not detailed in the legislative instrument itself but are generally governed by the broader provisions of the Quarantine Act, which may include fines and imprisonment for serious or repeated breaches. The severity of the penalty would depend on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, as well as any resultant harm caused by the failure to adhere to the disinfection protocols.