STATUTORY RULES.
1926. No. 57.
REGULATION UNDER THE QUARANTINE ACT 1908-1924.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, do hereby make the following Regulation under the Quarantine Act 1908-1924, to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this twenty-ninth day of April, 1926.
STONEHAVEN,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
NEVILLE HOWSE,
Minister for Health.
Amendment of Quarantine Regulations 1922.
The Quarantine Regulations 1922 (Statutory Rules No. 18 of 1923) are amended—
1. By inserting the following words after the word “fumigation” in the second line of paragraph (a) of regulation 63— “or to fumigation by hydrocyanic acid gas”;
2. By omitting regulation 65 and substituting therefor the following:—
65. The following processes are prescribed:—
(a) For the destruction of rats and mice in closed spaces on vessels—
(1) thorough fumigation for at least six hours with a gaseous mixture containing not less than three parts per centum of sulphur oxides. The fumigation shall, wherever practicable, be effected by passing sulphur fumes under pressure into the closed space, the contained air being at the same time partially exhausted. Where sulphur oxides are generated by burning sulphur in pots, 3 1b. of sulphur shall be used for every 1,000 feet of cubic space to be fumigated;
(2) thorough fumigation for at least two hours by hydrocyanic acid gas. The quantities prescribed for use in each of the following methods are those required for every 1,000 cubic feet of space to be fumigated:—
(i) where the gas is evolved by the action of a dilution of sulphuric acid and water on sodium cyanide or potassium cyanide, not less than 5 ounces of sodium cyanide or 6¼ ounces of potassium cyanide shall be used;
(ii) Where the cyanogen chloride gas mixture is the method adopted, not less than 4 ounces of sodium cyanide shall be used;
(iii) Where either liquid hydrogen cyanide or cyclon B is the method adopted, a sufficient quantity shall be used to ensure the evolution of 2.75 ounces of hydrocyanic acid gas.
(b) For the destruction of insects and other vermin on vessels—fumigation by means of sulphur or hydrocyanic acid gas as prescribed, or thorough application of an aqueous solution or emulsion of soft soap, cyllin and kerosene, containing of each one part per centum. The application must be made by means of a mop or scrubbing brush or similar appliance, or by forcibly spraying the mixture into all places infested with or suspected of being infested with fleas, lice, bugs, or similar insects or vermin.
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by H. J. Green, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
Overview
The Statutory Rules of 1926, No. 57, represent a regulatory amendment under the Quarantine Act 1908-1924, enacted to address emerging issues in the control and prevention of pests and vermin on vessels entering Australian waters. Made by the Governor-General in accordance with advice from the Federal Executive Council, these regulations were designed to enhance the efficacy of existing fumigation methods and provide more comprehensive procedures for the eradication of pests such as rats, mice, and insects. The policy objective of these amendments was to strengthen Australia's maritime biosecurity measures, thereby protecting public health and agricultural industries from the potential threats posed by invasive species.
Scope and Application
The Quarantine Regulations 1926, made under the Quarantine Act 1908-1924, extend to vessels entering Australian waters, focusing on the control and prevention of pests and vermin. These regulations are applicable to ships and other vessels that are subject to quarantine measures to safeguard Australia's biosecurity. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, as they apply to all vessels arriving in the Commonwealth of Australia. The amendment specifies new fumigation processes, including the use of hydrocyanic acid gas and sulphur oxides for the destruction of rats, mice, and insects, replacing or supplementing existing methods. These detailed prescriptions ensure that all vessels comply with stringent fumigation standards to prevent the introduction and spread of pests and vermin into the country.
Key Provisions
The primary operative sections of this regulation (1926) under the Quarantine Act 1908-1924 amend the Quarantine Regulations 1922 by inserting new methods for the fumigation of vessels to control pests. Specifically, the amendment allows for fumigation by hydrocyanic acid gas in addition to the previously allowed methods (section 1). Furthermore, it replaces the previous regulation 65 with a detailed set of prescribed processes for the destruction of pests such as rats, mice, insects, and other vermin on vessels. These processes include fumigation with specific chemical mixtures, such as sulphur oxides or hydrocyanic acid gas, and the application of an aqueous solution of soft soap, cyllin, and kerosene (section 2).
The obligations imposed by this regulation require that vessels undergo specific fumigation processes to ensure the destruction of pests. For instance, rats and mice must be dealt with through fumigation with a gaseous mixture containing at least three parts per centum of sulphur oxides or hydrocyanic acid gas, depending on the chosen method. For insects and other vermin, fumigation with sulphur or hydrocyanic acid gas is prescribed, or the application of a specified aqueous solution must be thoroughly carried out. These processes must be executed meticulously to prevent the spread of pests and diseases, ensuring that vessels meet the necessary quarantine standards.
Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to severe consequences. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the regulation itself, breaches of quarantine regulations generally attract significant penalties under the Quarantine Act 1908-1924. This can include fines, imprisonment, or both, reflecting the seriousness with which such breaches are viewed. The specific penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the non-compliance, as well as any associated public health risks. Compliance with these regulations is crucial to prevent the introduction and spread of pests and diseases, which could have widespread implications for public health and the economy.