Quarantine Regulations 1917 (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1920, No. 46 amends the Quarantine Regulations 1917 under the Quarantine Act 1908-1915. The regulation aims to address the problem of ensuring that hides and skins imported into Australia are free from diseases such as anthrax. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, the regulation establishes stringent conditions for the importation of hides and skins from various countries, with particular emphasis on those originating from outside New Zealand and Norfolk Island. The policy objective is to maintain high standards of biosecurity to protect the health of the Australian population and livestock, thereby preventing the spread of contagious diseases through imported animal products.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1920, No. 46, made under the Quarantine Act 1908-1915, specifically target the importation of hides and skins into Australia, applying stringent conditions to mitigate the risk of disease transmission. This regulation affects all individuals and entities involved in the importation of hides and skins, including the owner or consignor, the master of the importing vessel, and the tanners who will treat the hides. Geographically, the regulation applies nationally across Australia and includes provisions that cater to imports from both foreign countries and New Zealand. Notably, it exempts hides and skins originating from New Zealand from certain requirements due to the close collaboration with Australian authorities. The regulation requires declarations and certificates from the country of origin, and in the case of foreign countries, these must be made before a British Consul or a responsible British official. It mandates that hides and skins be treated in approved tanneries under the direction of the Chief Quarantine Officer, with tanners required to enter into a bond ensuring compliance with treatment protocols. The regulation is detailed and extensive, providing a comprehensive framework to ensure that the importation process is conducted in a manner that safeguards against the introduction of disease.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this regulation (Regulation 118) are detailed under two subsections: A and B, which outline the conditions for the importation of hides and skins from different countries. Subsection A (118A) applies to imports from countries other than New Zealand and Norfolk Island, and requires the owner or consignor to provide a declaration affirming the hide or skin is free from anthrax or similar diseases and has been treated appropriately (118A(a)). The consignment must also be accompanied by a certificate from a government officer confirming the declaration’s accuracy or the results of microscopical and biological examinations (118A(b)). If the origin country is foreign, the declaration must be made before a British Consul or a responsible British official (118A(c)). The master of the importing vessel must retain the hide or skin until a landing permit is issued by a quarantine officer (118A(d)). Once landed, the hides or skins must be immediately transported to an approved tannery or treatment facility and treated as prescribed or directed by the Chief Quarantine Officer (118A(d)). The tanner must enter into a bond of £100 to ensure the hides or skins are treated as required before leaving the approved facility (118A(d)). Subsection B (118B) pertains to imports from New Zealand, requiring the owner or consignor to provide a declaration stating that the hide or skin is not derived from an animal that suffered from or died of anthrax or similar diseases, and this declaration must be endorsed as correct by a government veterinary surgeon. The obligations imposed by this regulation on the parties involved primarily concern the importation of hides and skins. For imports from countries other than New Zealand and Norfolk Island, the owner or consignor must ensure that a declaration and accompanying certificate are provided, detailing the condition and treatment of the hides or skins (118A(a)-(b)). The master of the vessel must withhold the hides or skins until a landing permit is granted by a quarantine officer (118A(c)). The hides or skins must be transported directly to an approved facility upon landing, and treated as directed by the Chief Quarantine Officer (118A(d)). Tanners are required to enter into a bond ensuring that the hides or skins are treated appropriately before removal from the facility (118A(d)). For imports from New Zealand, the owner or consignor must provide a declaration endorsed by a government veterinary surgeon (118B). The regulation outlines potential consequences for breaches of its provisions. While specific penalties are not detailed within the regulation itself, breaches of the Quarantine Act 1908-1915, under which these regulations are made, can result in civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines, while criminal penalties could involve imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness of non-compliance with quarantine regulations designed to protect public health and safety. The specifics of these penalties would be governed by the broader provisions of the Quarantine Act.