STATUTORY RULES.
1929. No. 126.
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, hereby make the following Regulation under the Quarantine Act 1908-1924, to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this nineteenth day of November, 1929.
STONEHAVEN
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
FRANK ANSTEY
Minister for Health.
Amendment of Quarantine Regulations 1927.
The Quarantine Regulations 1927 (Statutory Rules 1927, No. 8) are amended—
1. By the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (o) in Regulation 81:
81. (p) In the case of any Rabbit from Great Britain, Ireland or New Zealand—
(1) A declaration from the owner—
(a) that the animal has been in country from which it is being exported for the six months next preceding shipment, and that during that period it has been free from disease;
(b) that it has not been in contact with any animal suffering from disease during the six months next preceding shipment.
(2) A certificate of general health from an approved Veterinary Surgeon at the port of shipment, who should also endorse the owner’s declaration to the effect that after due inquiry he has no reason to doubt its correctness.
2. By the insertion of the following words after the last line of paragraph (1) of Regulation 84:
“Rabbits from Great Britain, Ireland or New Zealand—14 days.”
3. By the insertion of the following words at the end of Regulation 99:
“Rabbits......................................6d.”
4. By the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (iv) of Regulation 103 (1):
“(v) Rabbits.
For the veterinary examination of—
(a) A single animal or the first animal in any consignment—5s.
(b) Each additional animal in the same consignment—1s.”
By Authority: H. J. Green, Government Printer, Canberra.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1929 No. 126, titled "Regulation under the Quarantine Act 1908-1924," was enacted to amend the Quarantine Regulations 1927. This legislative instrument was introduced to address the need for stricter quarantine measures specifically for rabbits being imported from Great Britain, Ireland, and New Zealand. This was necessitated by the potential risk these animals posed to the local rabbit population in Australia, particularly in relation to diseases that could impact both wildlife and the agricultural sector. The regulation was enacted by the Governor-General in Council, reflecting the federal government's commitment to safeguarding Australia's biosecurity and agricultural health. The policy objective behind these amendments was to ensure that imported rabbits were free from diseases and had not been in contact with any diseased animals, thereby protecting Australia’s rabbit population and related industries from potential health risks.
Scope and Application
This statutory rule, made under the authority of the Quarantine Act 1908-1924, amends the Quarantine Regulations 1927 to introduce specific requirements for the importation of rabbits from Great Britain, Ireland, and New Zealand. These amendments apply to individuals and entities involved in the importation of rabbits, including owners and veterinary surgeons. The rule mandates that owners of rabbits from these countries must provide a declaration confirming that the rabbits have been free from disease and have not been in contact with any diseased animals for the six months preceding shipment, along with a certificate of general health from an approved veterinary surgeon. Additionally, the rule introduces a fourteen-day quarantine period for imported rabbits from these regions and specifies fees for veterinary examinations and inspections. The amendments extend to the entire Commonwealth of Australia, thereby enforcing uniform standards across the country. The rule does not explicitly state any exclusions or thresholds beyond the specified requirements for rabbit importation from the designated regions. Subordinate instruments may further extend or specify application details for enforcement and compliance.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of this regulation pertain to amendments to the Quarantine Regulations 1927 (Section 1). Regulation 81 is amended by inserting a new paragraph (p) which mandates specific declarations and certificates for rabbits being exported from Great Britain, Ireland, or New Zealand (Section 1.1). Regulation 84 is amended to specify a 14-day quarantine period for rabbits from these countries (Section 1.2). Regulation 99 is amended to set a fee of six pence for rabbits (Section 1.3). Lastly, Regulation 103(1) is amended to introduce fees for veterinary examinations of rabbits, with a five shilling fee for the first animal in a consignment and one shilling for each additional animal (Section 1.4).
These amendments impose several obligations on the parties involved. Owners of rabbits being exported must provide a declaration that the animals have been free from disease and have not been in contact with diseased animals for six months prior to shipment (Section 1.1(a) and (b)). Additionally, they must obtain a certificate of general health from an approved veterinary surgeon, who will endorse the declaration (Section 1.1). The veterinary surgeon is required to conduct a thorough inquiry to verify the accuracy of the owner’s declaration. The regulation also imposes a 14-day quarantine period for rabbits from Great Britain, Ireland, or New Zealand (Section 1.2). Furthermore, the regulation sets forth fees for the importation of rabbits, including a six pence fee and fees for veterinary examinations (Sections 1.3 and 1.4).
Failure to comply with these provisions may result in various consequences. While the regulation does not explicitly state offences or penalties, non-compliance could potentially lead to legal repercussions under the Quarantine Act 1908-1924. Such consequences could include fines, imprisonment, or other penalties as determined by the relevant authorities. The specific penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as well as the discretion of the court.