STATUTORY RULES.
1929. No. 50.
REGUATION 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, hereby make the following Regulation under the Quarantine Act 1908-1924, to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this fourth day of May, 1929.
STONEHAVEN
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
NEVILLE HOWSE
Minister for Health.
Amendment of Quarantine Regulations 1927.
The Quarantine Regulations 1927 (Statutory Rules 1927, No. 8) are amended—
1. By inserting the following Regulation. 65a after Regulation 65:
65a. A certificate of exemption from deratisation with respect to any vessel on arrival at any port in Australia may, on application by the master or owner, be issued by a Quarantine Officer on the form adopted by the Office International d’Hygiene Publique.
A fee of £1 1s. shall be paid for any such certificate issued.
2. By inserting the following paragraph, (h) in Regulation 32 (1) after paragraph (g):
(h) Disinfection by exposure in an air-tight container to the vapour produced from two pints of a forty per cent. solution of formaldehyde for every 300 feet of space. The exposure must not begin until a vacuum of twenty inches of mercury has been procured in the container followed by the introduction of steam. The exposure must be maintained for twenty minutes.
3. By omitting the words “cyclon B” from Regulation 66 (a) (2) (iii) and inserting in their place the following words “zyklon B or other approved cyanide preparation”.
By Authority: H. J. Green, Government Printer, Canberra.
1163.—Price. 3d.
Overview
Statutory Rules 1929 No. 50, made under the Quarantine Act 1908-1924, was introduced to amend existing quarantine regulations to address emerging public health concerns. The enactment by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, aimed to enhance the effectiveness of quarantine measures, particularly in preventing the spread of pests and diseases through maritime travel. The policy objective was to provide a more stringent and scientifically updated approach to disinfection and pest control, reflecting international standards and practices endorsed by the Office International d’Hygiene Publique. These amendments sought to ensure that Australia's quarantine protocols were robust and capable of adapting to new threats, thereby protecting the nation’s agricultural and public health sectors from potential infestations and diseases.
Scope and Application
The Quarantine Regulations 1929, established under the Quarantine Act 1908-1924, pertain to all vessels arriving at any port in Australia and aim to regulate and control the entry of foreign goods and individuals to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. These regulations apply to masters and owners of vessels, requiring them to comply with specified quarantine procedures. The amendment introduces new disinfection methods and modifies the application process for certificates of exemption from deratisation, specifying the form and fee for such certificates. Additionally, the regulation updates the approved cyanide preparation for fumigation, replacing cyclon B with zyklon B or other approved cyanide preparations. These regulations extend to the entirety of Australia, ensuring a uniform approach to maritime quarantine across state and territory borders. The stated amendments and additions to the Quarantine Regulations 1927 do not introduce exclusions but rather refine existing processes and requirements to enhance biosecurity measures.
Key Provisions
The primary amendments to the Quarantine Regulations 1927, as outlined in Statutory Rules 1929, No. 50, include the introduction of a new Regulation 65a and an addition to Regulation 32(1). Regulation 65a permits the issuance of a certificate of exemption from deratisation by a Quarantine Officer upon application by the master or owner of a vessel arriving at any Australian port. This certificate can be issued on the form adopted by the Office International d'Hygiene Publique, and a fee of £1 1s. is required for its issuance (Regulation 65a). Additionally, Regulation 32(1) now includes a new method for disinfection, which involves exposing goods to the vapour produced from a forty percent solution of formaldehyde in an airtight container. This process requires creating a vacuum of twenty inches of mercury before introducing steam and maintaining the exposure for twenty minutes (Regulation 32(1)(h)).
These regulations impose specific obligations on parties involved in maritime trade. Vessels arriving in Australia must comply with the new deratisation exemption certificate requirement, necessitating an application to a Quarantine Officer. Furthermore, the disinfection procedure specified in Regulation 32(1)(h) must be adhered to for goods being imported, ensuring they undergo the required formaldehyde vapour treatment to prevent the spread of pests. The amendment also mandates that any references to "cyclon B" in Regulation 66(a)(2)(iii) be replaced with "zyklon B or other approved cyanide preparation", indicating a change in the approved chemical preparations for disinfection.
Breach of these regulations can lead to various consequences, although specific penalties are not detailed in the document. Non-compliance with the requirement to obtain a certificate of exemption from deratisation or to follow the prescribed disinfection procedure may result in fines, detention of goods, or other enforcement actions as stipulated by the Quarantine Act 1908-1924. The introduction of specific chemicals for disinfection also implies that using unapproved substances could lead to legal repercussions. These provisions are designed to ensure that maritime trade does not introduce pests or diseases into Australia, thereby safeguarding public health and the environment.